The urease B subunit was recently shown to lead to Th17

responses in the mouse model of H. pylori infection [35]. When recombinant urease B was incubated directly with mouse splenic lymphocytes, IL-17-producing cells were increased, and when macrophages were incubated with recombinant urease B, IL-6 and IL-23 were produced to support Th17 development. H. pylori LPS has been shown to induce weaker immune responses than LPS from other bacteria. Particularly, LPS from H. pylori did not induce strong IL-1β, IL-6, or IL-8 responses [36] as other bacterial LPS does. H. pylori LPS was also shown Trichostatin A to induce little NF-κB activation through TLR-4, but was shown in this study to induce IL-12 and IL-18 responses, which are thought to be pro-inflammatory. This is in contrast to another study that showed a lack of IL-12 and IL-2 induction by lymphocytes incubated with H. pylori LPS, which was accompanied by decreased cytotoxic RXDX-106 activity by lymphocytes incubated with H. pylori LPS compared to that of E. coli [37]. The beginning of 2011 was marked by a promising publication in the field of H. pylori vaccine development made by Moss et al. [38]. They used a computational method to predict novel T-cell epitopes. The multi-epitope vaccine was administered intranasally or intramuscularly to H. pylori-infected

mice, followed by a boost with the peptides themselves formulated in liposomes with CpG oligonucleotides and heat-labile enterotoxin. The vaccine induced a broad immune response, as determined 上海皓元 by IFN-γ production, and led to a sterilizing immunity 32 weeks after challenge in 5 of 19 mice. Another promising vector platform for the

expression of H. pylori antigens was published in the beginning of 2011 by Iankov, et al. [39]. They produced a measles virus (MV) vaccine strain encoding the H. pylori neutrophil-activating protein (NAP). Nine months post vaccination, all animals immunized with MV strains expressing the secretory NAP antigen developed a strong humoral immunity against NAP within 2-4 weeks. By using IFN-γ ELISpot assay, they also confirmed effective NAP-specific cell-mediated immunity. Their experiments importantly demonstrated that immunization with a live replication competent vaccine expressing H. pylori molecules (NAP or potentially CagA, VacA, etc.) induced not only robust antibody production but also distinctive cell-mediated response against H. pylori antigens. Improved efficacy of vaccines may be achieved in new trials of vaccine formulations that include multiple antigens and use methods to optimize cellular immunity. An approach made by Chen et al. [40] used a H. pylori oipA gene-encoded construct co-delivered by IL-2 gene-encoded construct and B subunit heat-labile toxin of Escherichia coli gene-encoded construct.

We labeled HBVpreS-lipopeptides http://www.selleckchem.com/products/azd6738.html with radioactive isotopes and

investigated the in vivo distribution in several species. We demonstrate enrichment of only the inhibitory peptides in the liver of mice, rats, and dogs indicating that these animals, although not susceptible to HBV infection, express an HBV-preS-specific receptor. Peptides were produced by solid-phase synthesis using the fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl/t-butyl (Fmoc/tBu) chemistry on an Applied Biosystems 433A peptide synthesizer. Coupling conditions and the attachment of acyl residues were performed as described.23 Purification was achieved by semipreparative reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) on a Chromolith SemiPrep RP-18e column INK128 (100 × 10 mm). Analytical analyses were performed on an Agilent 1100 HPLC system using a Chromolith Performance RP-C18e column (100 × 4.6 mm). As eluents, 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in water (eluent A) and 0.1% TFA in acetonitrile (eluent B) were used. Conditions: linear gradient

from 0 to 100% B within 5 minutes; flow rate 4 mL/min; UV absorbance λ = 214 nm. The identity of the peptides synthesized was verified by HPLC-MS (mass spectrometry) analysis (Exactive, Thermo Fisher Scientific). For radiolabeling a 1 mM stock solution of the respective peptide in water/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was prepared. The peptides were synthesized with an artificially introduced D-tyrosine at the C-terminus. Labeling with 123I, 125I, or 131I was performed by the chloramine-T method.24 The reaction solution was purified by semipreparative HPLC

using a Chromolith Performance RP-18e column (100 × 4.6 mm) applying a linear gradient of 0.1% TFA in water (eluent A) to 0.1% TFA in acetonitrile (eluent B) within 10 minutes; flow rate 2 mL/min; UV absorbance λ = 214; γ-detection. Organ distribution studies were performed in female NMRI mice and in Wistar rats. Experiments were in compliance MCE公司 with the German animal protection laws. 100 μL of the peptide solution was administered subcutaneously in the hindleg or as an intravenous bolus injection into the tail vein. Three animals were sacrificed at each point in time and the radioactivity in peripheral blood, heart, lung, spleen, liver, kidneys, muscle, brain, intestine, and injection site (=tail, after intravenous injection only) was determined: The samples were weighed and the organ-associated radioactivity was quantified in a gamma counter (Berthold LB951G). The organ-associated activity was related to the injected dose (ID) and expressed as a percentage of the injected dose per gram tissue (%ID/g). After injection into anesthetized animals, scintigraphic images were obtained using a γ-camera (Gamma Imager, Biospace, France). The recording time was 5 minutes. Scintigraphic images of monkeys and dogs were performed employing a SPECT/CT camera (Millennium VG Hawkeye Gamma camera, GE Healthcare). The recording time was 10 minutes, matrix: 265 × 265 pixels.

47% (33–62%) in haemophilia A patients) could, at first sight, corroborate

the more unfavourable prognosis of HIV infection in haemophilia B reported by others [24-26]. This is hypothesized to be related to the type of clotting-factor product that was contaminated with the HIV virus (carrying e.g. different strains of HIV or different viral loads) [12, 26]. In our study cohort, however, the proportions of deceased patients in whom death was solely or partially AIDS related were the same in patients with haemophilia A and B (71% each), Peptide 17 in vivo suggesting no difference in HIV prognosis in this small cohort. Factors influencing progression to AIDS, such as age at seroconversion and baseline CD4 counts, were extensively studied by others [27-29]. Because of small patient numbers, we did not perform any specific analyses on these factors in our study cohort. Coinfection with HCV has been described to have a negative effect on prognosis and treatment response in HIV-infected patients [30, 31]. Because HCV status was unknown for patients who developed AIDS before the introduction of HCV tests,

the effect of HCV infection on AIDS-free survival could not be reliably assessed. Kaposi’s sarcoma was present in one patient in our study. These tumours are thought to be primarily associated with human herpesvirus 8 and mainly occur in patients who acquired HIV through sexual contact [32]. They are rare in HIV-infected haemophilia patients [33, 34]. We have, however, no reason to believe that our patient acquired HIV MCE any other way than through the use of contaminated clotting-factor concentrates. Nowadays, almost all surviving HIV-positive Small molecule library research buy haemophilia patients are on HAART and HIV infection has become another chronic condition. The risk of myocardial infarction is reported to be increased for specific types of HAART medication [4, 6, 35], and

also to increase with longer treatment duration [36]. So far, no myocardial infarctions were reported in our study population, but one patient had unstable angina pectoris requiring bypass surgery. A decreased risk of ischaemic cardiovascular disease has been reported in haemophilia patients, especially those with severe haemophilia, which could have attenuated any increased risk caused by use of HAART [13, 37, 38]. The relatively young age of our patients at the end of follow-up will also have lowered the risk of cardiovascular events. Overall, the prevalences of overweight and obesity were significantly lower in HIV-positive patients than in HIV-negative severe controls, while the prevalence of diabetes was higher. Diabetes occurred mainly in HIV-positive patients using HAART. Because the prevalences of many other cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as smoking habits, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia, could not be reliably assessed from our retrospective database, no overall comparison could be made of these risk factors between HIV-positive and HIV-negative haemophilia patients.

Catalase activity was assayed according

to García-Limones et al. (2002) following the disappearance of H2O2 at 240 nm. CAT activity was expressed as △OD240/min/mg protein. Ascorbate peroxidase activity was determined as described by Nakano and Asada (1987) with some modifications. The reaction mixture included 2 ml phosphate buffer (0.1 m, pH 7.5), 150 μl 5 mm ascorbic acid, 100 μl crude enzymes and 200 μl 10 mm H2O2. Absorbance of the solution was measured at 290 nm. APX activity was expressed as μmol AsA/min/mg protein. Glutathione reductase activity was assayed according mTOR inhibitor to Foyer and Halliwell (1976) with some modifications. The reaction mixture included 2 ml phosphate buffer (0.1 m, pH7.5), 200 μl 5 mm GSH, 100 μl crude enzymes and 30 μl 4 mm NADPH. Absorbance of the solution was measured at 340 nm. RXDX-106 mw GR activity was expressed as μmol NADPH/min/mg protein. Peroxidase activity was determined according to the method of Bi et al. (2006). One unit of POD activity was defined as change for 0.01 in absorbance

at 470 nm/min/mg protein. CHT activity was measured using the method of Boller et al. (1983). CHT activity was expressed as 1 × 10−9 mol N-acetyl-D-glucosamine/s/g FW. GLU activity was assayed according to the method of Abeles and Forrence (1979) with some modifications. The reaction mixture included 400 μl enzymatic extracts, 100 μl 2 mg/ml laminarin and 400 μl dinitrosalicylate (DNS). Absorbance of the solution was measured at 500 nm. GLU activity was expressed as U/mg protein.

Phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity was measured according medchemexpress to the method of Assis et al. (2001). One unit of PAL activity was expressed as change for 0.01 in absorbance at 290 nm/min/mg protein. The protein content of the extract was determined according to the method of Bradford (1976) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a standard. The experiments were repeated twice, with three replicates for each experiment. Leaf tissues were prepared for AsA and GSH analysis by homogenizing 1 g leaf tissues in 10 ml of prechilled 5% metaphosphoric acid. Then, the homogenate was centrifuged at 4°C for 10 min at 12 000 × g, and the supernatant was collected for analysis of AsA and GSH. AsA and GSH contents were measured according to Zhang and Kirkham (1996) and Griffiths (1980). Absorbance of the reactions was measured at 525 and 412 nm, and the content of AsA and GSH was expressed as μg AsA/g FW and μg GSH/g FW. The content of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids was assayed according to Pirie and Mullins (1976) with slight modifications. One gram of leaf tissue was ground in 5 ml of precooled HCl–methanol solvent. The extracted solution was centrifuged at 12 000 × g at 4°C for 10 min, and the supernatants were directly used to assay for total phenolic compounds and flavonoids at 280 and 325 nm absorbance, respectively.

8 However, significant CD133 promoter methylation was absent in normal colon and brain tissues, which SCH 900776 supplier highlights the complexities of CD133 promoter methylation in diverse tissues and cells.8 Furthermore, within the CD133 promoter-1 region the degree of methylation

changes is based on the separation of the individual CpG site from exon1.31 Our current results demonstrated that CD133 expression was enhanced by inhibiting DNMT activity and in vitro methylation silenced promoter-1. DNA methylation status is regulated directly by DNMTs, which possess de novo methylation activity.21 Here we demonstrated that DNMT3α and DNMT3β expression was significantly higher in CD133− cells compared with CD133+ cells. These results support our hypothesis that CD133 expression see more in CD133− cells was silenced by promoter CpG methylation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DNMT1 and DNMT3β expression was regulated by TGFβ stimulation. Our data are consistent with the results of enhanced

CD133 expression from colon cancer cells, in which both DNMT1 and DNMT3β were deleted.8, 23 In addition, we demonstrated that TGFβ stimulation effectively reduced total nuclear DNMT activity. We conclude that DNMT1 and DNMT3β are critical enzymes in the mechanism of TGFβ1-induced CD133 expression. Given that CD133 promoter methylation has specific patterns in diverse tissues, we chose

pyrosequencing as a means to quantify the promoter methylation degree within multiple CpG sites. Our data demonstrated that TGFβ1 is capable of significantly reducing CD133 promoter-1 methylation by 10% to 40% in five out of seven CpG sites analyzed. Although the effect of TGFβ1 on methylation in individual CpG sites is relatively small, the overall effect of accumulated demethylation induced by TGFβ1 in multiple CpG sites likely has the significant influence on CD133 transcription that we observed. Therefore, we propose that TGFβ1-induced demethylation in CD133 promoter might act as a rheostat to regulate CD133 transcription. Although multiple publications demonstrated that CD133 is a marker MCE公司 of CSCs with tumorigenic properties from diverse tissues, a recent study indicated that both CD133+ and CD133− metastatic colon cancer cells were capable of initiating tumor formation.42 This finding indicated that CD133 by itself might not be critical for tumor initiation. We propose that further investigations are required before the role of CD133 in liver cancer initiation and progression is fully elucidated. Our results do provide a link between CD133 expression regulation and TGFβ within this evolving field. In summary, this work describes a mechanism by which TGFβ regulates CD133 expression through demethylation of promoter-1.

43 (95% CI: 0.24-0.78; P = 0.005). No patients developed metformin-associated lactic acidosis during follow-up. Conclusion: Continuation of metformin after cirrhosis diagnosis reduced the risk of death by 57%. Metformin should

therefore be continued in diabetic patients with cirrhosis if there check details is no specific contraindication. (Hepatology 2014;60:2007–2015) “
“Survival estimates are commonly reported as survival from the first observation, but future survival probability changes based on the survival time already accumulated after therapy—otherwise known as conditional survival (CS). Aim of the study was to describe CS according to different prognostic variables in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Data on 125

very early/early HCC patients treated with RFA between 1999 and 2007 were analyzed. Actuarial survival estimates were computed by means of Kaplan-Meier method and compared with log-rank test. The 5-year CS was calculated with stratification by several predictors for patients who had already survived up to 5 years from diagnosis. Median overall survival (OS) was 72 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 58-86)]. Age, Child-Pugh (CP), alpha-fetoprotein Selleckchem AZD4547 (AFP), Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score and type of recurrence (early versus late) resulted significant predictors of OS. The 5-year CS rate of the entire study cohort assessed at 1,2,3 and 5 years

from the treatment was 49%, 48%, 30% and 34%, respectively. Subgroup analysis confirmed age and CP as significant predictors of CS at all time points, while the MCE CS of subgroups stratified by AFP and CLIP didn’t differ significantly from the third year after RFA onward, as more advanced patients had probably escaped early recurrence. CS analysis showed that the impact of different variables influencing OS is not linear over time after RFA. Information derived from the study can improve the current management of HCC patients. “
“A 50-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to liver dysfunction and progressive neurological symptoms. She had previously been diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) had effectively normalized her serum aminotransferase levels, however, she presented with loss of balance, dysarthria and difficulty in handwriting. Autoantibodies and hepatitis virus markers were negative. Serum ceruloplasmin and copper levels were noted to be 9 mg/dL and 32 µg/dL, respectively. The 24-h urinary copper excretion was 331.8 µg/day. Kayser-Fleischer ring was demonstrated. Histological examination of the liver revealed inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis, and the hepatic copper concentration was 444.4 µg/g dry weight. We diagnosed her as having Wilson disease and started treatment with trientine. Immuohistochemistry for keratin 8 and p62 demonstrated Mallory-Denk bodies.

43 (95% CI: 0.24-0.78; P = 0.005). No patients developed metformin-associated lactic acidosis during follow-up. Conclusion: Continuation of metformin after cirrhosis diagnosis reduced the risk of death by 57%. Metformin should

therefore be continued in diabetic patients with cirrhosis if there Ku-0059436 molecular weight is no specific contraindication. (Hepatology 2014;60:2007–2015) “
“Survival estimates are commonly reported as survival from the first observation, but future survival probability changes based on the survival time already accumulated after therapy—otherwise known as conditional survival (CS). Aim of the study was to describe CS according to different prognostic variables in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Data on 125

very early/early HCC patients treated with RFA between 1999 and 2007 were analyzed. Actuarial survival estimates were computed by means of Kaplan-Meier method and compared with log-rank test. The 5-year CS was calculated with stratification by several predictors for patients who had already survived up to 5 years from diagnosis. Median overall survival (OS) was 72 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 58-86)]. Age, Child-Pugh (CP), alpha-fetoprotein Selleck IWR-1 (AFP), Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score and type of recurrence (early versus late) resulted significant predictors of OS. The 5-year CS rate of the entire study cohort assessed at 1,2,3 and 5 years

from the treatment was 49%, 48%, 30% and 34%, respectively. Subgroup analysis confirmed age and CP as significant predictors of CS at all time points, while the MCE CS of subgroups stratified by AFP and CLIP didn’t differ significantly from the third year after RFA onward, as more advanced patients had probably escaped early recurrence. CS analysis showed that the impact of different variables influencing OS is not linear over time after RFA. Information derived from the study can improve the current management of HCC patients. “
“A 50-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to liver dysfunction and progressive neurological symptoms. She had previously been diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) had effectively normalized her serum aminotransferase levels, however, she presented with loss of balance, dysarthria and difficulty in handwriting. Autoantibodies and hepatitis virus markers were negative. Serum ceruloplasmin and copper levels were noted to be 9 mg/dL and 32 µg/dL, respectively. The 24-h urinary copper excretion was 331.8 µg/day. Kayser-Fleischer ring was demonstrated. Histological examination of the liver revealed inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis, and the hepatic copper concentration was 444.4 µg/g dry weight. We diagnosed her as having Wilson disease and started treatment with trientine. Immuohistochemistry for keratin 8 and p62 demonstrated Mallory-Denk bodies.

43 (95% CI: 0.24-0.78; P = 0.005). No patients developed metformin-associated lactic acidosis during follow-up. Conclusion: Continuation of metformin after cirrhosis diagnosis reduced the risk of death by 57%. Metformin should

therefore be continued in diabetic patients with cirrhosis if there MAPK Inhibitor Library purchase is no specific contraindication. (Hepatology 2014;60:2007–2015) “
“Survival estimates are commonly reported as survival from the first observation, but future survival probability changes based on the survival time already accumulated after therapy—otherwise known as conditional survival (CS). Aim of the study was to describe CS according to different prognostic variables in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Data on 125

very early/early HCC patients treated with RFA between 1999 and 2007 were analyzed. Actuarial survival estimates were computed by means of Kaplan-Meier method and compared with log-rank test. The 5-year CS was calculated with stratification by several predictors for patients who had already survived up to 5 years from diagnosis. Median overall survival (OS) was 72 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 58-86)]. Age, Child-Pugh (CP), alpha-fetoprotein Doxorubicin manufacturer (AFP), Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score and type of recurrence (early versus late) resulted significant predictors of OS. The 5-year CS rate of the entire study cohort assessed at 1,2,3 and 5 years

from the treatment was 49%, 48%, 30% and 34%, respectively. Subgroup analysis confirmed age and CP as significant predictors of CS at all time points, while the medchemexpress CS of subgroups stratified by AFP and CLIP didn’t differ significantly from the third year after RFA onward, as more advanced patients had probably escaped early recurrence. CS analysis showed that the impact of different variables influencing OS is not linear over time after RFA. Information derived from the study can improve the current management of HCC patients. “
“A 50-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to liver dysfunction and progressive neurological symptoms. She had previously been diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) had effectively normalized her serum aminotransferase levels, however, she presented with loss of balance, dysarthria and difficulty in handwriting. Autoantibodies and hepatitis virus markers were negative. Serum ceruloplasmin and copper levels were noted to be 9 mg/dL and 32 µg/dL, respectively. The 24-h urinary copper excretion was 331.8 µg/day. Kayser-Fleischer ring was demonstrated. Histological examination of the liver revealed inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis, and the hepatic copper concentration was 444.4 µg/g dry weight. We diagnosed her as having Wilson disease and started treatment with trientine. Immuohistochemistry for keratin 8 and p62 demonstrated Mallory-Denk bodies.

The AUROC for liver Vs was 0.708 (the cut off value, 2.09 m/s), and its diagnostic ability was lower than the one of spleen Vs. The AUROC for platelet, SI, and APRI were 0.65-0.75, but the AUROC for hyaluronic acid was 0.796, and showed a better diagnostic ability. The cut off for hyaluronic acid was 124 ng/ml with sensitivity 100%, specificity 57%, and it suggested that this parameter could be useful for screening. Conclusion: Spleen and liver Vs increased with the development of esophageal and gastric varices. Spleen Vs was useful in distinguishing F2 and above esophageal and gastric

varices from the one of F0-1. Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Hiroko Iijima, Tomoko Aoki, Chikage Nakano, Kenji Hashimoto, Akio Ishii, Tomoyuki Takashima, Nobuhiro Aizawa, Naoto Ikeda, Yoshiyuki Sakai, Hironori Tanaka, Yoshinori Iwata,

Hirayuki Enomoto, Masaki Saito, Shuhei Nishiguchi Introduction: PHT-related bleeding is a frequent CDK and cancer and severe complication of cirrhosis. A recent RCT suggested that early-TIPS placement within 72 hours improved prognosis in high-risk patients, defined as variceal bleeding in Child B patients+ac-tive bleeding or Child C patients. The latest consensus meeting on PHT recommended to consider early-TIPS in this subset of patients. Whether this therapeutic approach would be feasible in real-life setting is unclear. Aims : To determine in a national prospective multicentric observational study (1) the proportion of high-risk

patients eligible to an early-TIPS among cirrhotic patients admitted for variceal bleeding; (2) the proportion of high-risk selleck screening library patients who finally underwent early-TIPS placement; (3) the improvement of survival associated with early-TIPS placement. Material et Methods: All French centres recruiting gastrointestinal bleeding were invited to participate. All patients with cirrhosis and PHT-related bleeding were included. Results: 914 patients were included between 04/2012 and 05/2013 in 59 centres medchemexpress (28 university and 31 general-hospitals). Patients’ characteristics: male gender:76.5%; age:59.5±12.1 yrs; aetiologies: alcohol:77%/HCV 14%/other:9%; source of bleeding : OV/GV/other:82/11/7%; active bleeding at endoscopy:38.3%). Distribution of Child-Pugh class was: Child A 20.1%/B 44.5%/C 35.4%. Overall, 439 patients displayed Child-Pugh C or Child-Pugh B class with active bleeding. After excluding patients older than 75, patients with HCC, Child-Pugh C14-15 or with other source of bleeding than OV/GV and patients with serum creatinin>265L mol/l, 232 (25.4%) patients could be considered as eligible for an early-TIPS. In the whole population, 76 patients underwent TIPS placement between admission and Day-3 (44 for uncontrolled bleeding and 32 early-TIPS). Among eligible high-risk patients, only 22 patients underwent early-TIPS (9.4%), 92% of them being indicated in university hospitals. Mortality at 6-week was of 15%. In high risk patients, mortality was of 7.

Similarly, no differences were observed

in recurrence rates. In multivariate analysis, Child–Pugh grade and tumor-related factors were significant factors associated with survival, but age was not. Although elderly patients had more extrahepatic comorbidities, their presence was not a factor associated with survival prognosis or complication after RFA. Conclusion:  RFA treatment might be safe and effective in elderly patients, as well as non-elderly patients, with http://www.selleckchem.com/products/GDC-0449.html HCC. HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the major cause of HCC in Europe, the USA and Japan.1–3 Among HCC patients investigated between 1992 and 2000, over 70% were HCV-positive. In addition, the proportion of elderly HCC patients is increasing and the average patient age in Japan is rising.4,5 The aging of patients with HCV is the most significant reason for the increasing number of elderly patients with HCC.6 These trends have led to a rising demand for studies of HCC treatment in elderly patients. Current options for the treatment

of HCC consist of surgical resection, transcatheter arterial embolization and percutaneous ablation therapy. Although surgical resection had been considered to be the first choice of treatment,7,8 it plays a limited role in the treatment of HCC because Stem Cell Compound Library underlying cirrhosis or multiple lesions often contradict surgery. Liver transplantation may be effective in some cases,9 but its feasibility is restricted by the shortage of organ donors. Among various non-surgical therapies, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was recently introduced and its use has been rapidly increasing worldwide.10–12 RFA therapy for early stage HCC is minimally invasive and highly curative

and is a standard treatment along with hepatic resection.13 Elderly patients have a high incidence of comorbid illnesses and are usually considered a high-risk group for major surgery.14,15 RFA treatment may therefore be an acceptable alternative. Because few studies have addressed 上海皓元 the outcome of RFA in elderly patients with HCC, we undertook a retrospective cohort study of 107 elderly (aged ≥75 years) patients with HCC who were treated with RFA to assess their clinical characteristics and prognoses. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent on the use of clinical records for research purposes was obtained from all subjects. From January 2000 to December 2007, 1278 cases with HCC were treated with RFA in the Department of Internal Medicine, Saga Medical School Hospital and in the Department of Hepatology, Saga Prefectural Hospital.