It’s not only important to GLI to keep you updated; we value your input and updates. This is a reminder to Liver Cancers Council members and supporters to share news to be featured in our monthly newsletter or on our Liver Central website.
Innovating and Advancing Research in Liver Cancers: A Webinar
On June 27, GLI held a discussion of how the field is responding to the needs and challenges of those living with liver cancers. The Webinar focused on three topics: reducing disparities in clinical trials, liver cancers screening options and innovation, and liver cancers research updates. Sarah Manes presented the virtual event with Dr. Lionel Fonkua (Mayo Clinic), Dr. Neehar Parikh (University of Michigan), Dr. Amit Singal (UT Southwestern), Dr. Ahmed Kaseb (MD Anderson; NCI SPORE), Dr. Mark McNiven (Mayo Clinic; NCI Spore), and Dr. Bruno Sangro (Clínica Universidad de Navarra) as key speakers. Read more about the webinar or watch it today!
STAT2 Expression is Highest in African American and Asian Patients with HCC
STAT2 is a gene known to regulate the formation of cancer cells. The expression of STAT2 is typically higher in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but expression increases at greater rates among Asian and African American patients compared with Caucasian patients. These findings were from a study presented at the 5th Annual Regional Synergistic Partnership for Enhancing Equity in Cancer Health (SPEECH) Conference and Retreat in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was also found that STAT2 expression is higher among female patients. The results were deemed significant, which emphasizes that there needs to be appropriate inclusion of African American and Asian patients in clinical trials. Read more about the study.
FDA Accepts Application for Merck’s KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) for Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. This treatment in injection form, in addition to chemotherapy, has been approved by the FDA to treat advanced biliary tract cancer, or cancer in the gallbladder and bile ducts of the liver. The Phase 3 clinical trial showed a significant overall survival benefit in patients. Merck is currently evaluating the drug in gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, esophageal, pancreatic, colorectal and gastric cancers. Read more about the treatment and the trial.
Applications of AI in Liver Transplants with HCC
Liver transplantation is a curative treatment option where it solves the chronic underlying liver disorder while removing the malignant lesion. Artificial intelligence (AI) has many applications in medicine that work with medical imaging, and the use of AI to aid evaluations in liver transplantation candidates with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) would help automate laborious tasks. Such uses for AI include a detection tool to monitor patients on the liver transplant list and new lesion imaging criteria based on pixel-level analysis. Read more.
Upcoming Events:
- July 28, 2023: World Hepatitis Day
- August 2023: National Immunization Awareness Month
- September 30 – October 2: Advanced Advocacy Academy (A3): The Learning Experience
A3: The Learning Experience will be held in Washington DC from September 30 – October 2, 2023!
If you are a liver patient, caregiver, family member, or a clinician searching for an opportunity to become an effective advocate through interactive lessons on how to share your story, understand recent research & development, how to leverage social media, and more.
For more information about the Liver Cancers Council or to learn more about joining, please visit https://globalliver.org/liver-cancers-council/ or email cancer@globalliver.org.