Effect of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Combined with Argon–Helium Cryosurgery System on the Changes of NK Cells and T Cell Subsets in Peripheral Blood of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most aggressive tumors in humans. T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells are the body's first line of defense to prevent tumor cell growth. Previous studies have demonstrated that transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with argon-helium cryosurgery system (AHCS) can effectively treat liver cancer. However, the mechanism of the treatment is unclear yet. In the current study, we investigated the effects of TACE combined with AHCS on the changes of T cell subsets and NK cells in peripheral blood of HCC. Our data show that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in peripheral blood were significantly up-regulated in HCC patients before treatment when compared with healthy people and reduced after TACE combined with AHCS treatment (P < 0.01). In addition, we found that CD4+ cells and NK cells decreased (P < 0.05) and CD8+ cells increased (P < 0.05) in HCC patients when compared with healthy people. After treatment, the CD4+ cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and NK cells were dramatically increased in HCC patients (P < 0.05). In contrast, CD8+ cells were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). TACE combined with AHCS treatment significantly prolonged 1-year survival rate of HCC patients and did not show significant side effects. Taken together, our data indicate that TACE combined with AHCS treatment improves patients' immune system. It is a feasible and effective therapeutic method for HCC patients.

Large hepatocellular carcinomas: treatment with transarterial chemoembolization alone or in combination with percutaneous cryoablation

“…Moreover, TACE cryoablation improves a patient's immune system and other beneficial treatment effects when compared to treatment with TACE alone. After treatment, the CD4þ cells, CD4þ/CD8þ ratio, and NK cells were dramatically increased in HCC patients, while CD8þ cells were significantly decreased [30]. In addition, large-volume hepatic freezing is associated with a significant release of the cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor [31].…”

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is anti-tumorigenic in liver cancer cells via inhibiting YAP through AMOT

“…Curative resection or transplantation is currently the best curative option for treatment, yet recurrence and metastasis are quite common in patients11. Recently, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been used for patients who cannot receive these local eradication methods due to reasons such as poor residual liver function, complicated tumor location, or complications12. However, TACE may have negative effects on liver function; therefore, it is urgent to improve the therapeutic strategies13, and the development of potential drugs might be a promising option.…”

Increased expression of activating receptors and up-regulated function of natural killer cells in peripheral blood of patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma

“…This may be because previous studies generally examined the expression of total NK cell-activating receptors while we detected activating receptors of CD56-dim and bright expressions, respectively [28]. Moreover, a small minority of patients with HCC were treated with TACE or radiotherapy in our study, while TACE and radiotherapy could improve the activating receptors expression [29,30].…”