Case Report
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World J Hepatol. Oct 27, 2013; 5(10): 596-600
Published online Oct 27, 2013. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v5.i10.596
Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma responds to MK615, a compound extract from the Japanese apricot “Prunus mume”
Takashi Hoshino, Hitoshi Takagi, Atsushi Naganuma, Eri Koitabashi, Sanae Uehara, Naomi Sakamoto, Tomohiro Kudo, Ken Sato, Satoru Kakizaki
Takashi Hoshino, Hitoshi Takagi, Atsushi Naganuma, Eri Koitabashi, Sanae Uehara, Naomi Sakamoto, Tomohiro Kudo, Department of Gastroenterology, Takasaki General Center Hospital, Takasaki, Gunma 370-0829, Japan
Ken Sato, Satoru Kakizaki, Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
Author contributions: Hoshino T designed the study and performed the clinical examinations; Takagi H designed and wrote the paper; Naganuma A, Koitabashi E, Uehara S, Sakamoto N and Kudo T were attending doctors for the patients; Sato K and Kakizaki S provided vital suggestion.
Correspondence to: Hitoshi Takagi, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology, Takasaki General Center Hospital, 36 Takamatsu-machi, Takasaki, Gunma 370-0829, Japan. htakagi@takasaki-hosp.jp
Telephone: +81-27-3225901 Fax: +81-27-3271826
Received: July 3, 2013
Revised: September 18, 2013
Accepted: October 16, 2013
Published online: October 27, 2013
Processing time: 115 Days and 14.8 Hours
Abstract

MK615, a compound extracted from the Japanese apricot “Prunus mume” has been reported to have in vitro anti-tumor activities against several cancer cell lines, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the clinical effects and feasibility of administering MK615 for patients with HCC were unknown. We experienced a case with advanced HCC for which MK615 was effective against both lymph node and pulmonary metastases. A 60-year-old female underwent surgical resection of a 9 cm HCC in the right lobe. The pathological diagnosis was moderately differentiated HCC with vascular invasion. The HCC recurred in the liver 8 mo after the surgery. Radiofrequency ablation and transarterial infusion chemotherapy were performed, but the recurrence was not controlled. One year after the intrahepatic recurrence, pulmonary and lymph metastasis appeared. Sorafenib was administered, but was not effective. Then, MK615 was administered as a final alternative therapy after informed consent was obtained from the patient. Three months later, her alpha-fetoprotein level decrease and both the lymph node and pulmonary metastases decreased in size. The patient has survived for more than 17 mo after the MK615 administration, and was in good condition. Although further investigations are necessary to clarify its safety and efficacy in humans, MK615 may be useful for the treatment of HCC, without serious adverse effects.

Keywords: MK615; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Japanese apricot; Prunus mume

Core tip: We experienced a case with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for which MK615, a compound extracted from the Japanese apricot “Prunus mume” was effective against both lymph node and pulmonary metastases. MK615 was administered as a final alternative therapy. Three months later, her alpha-fetoprotein level decrease and both the lymph node and pulmonary metastases decreased in size. MK615 has been reported to have in vitro anti-tumor activities against several cancer cell lines, including HCC. Although further investigations are necessary to clarify its safety and efficacy in humans, MK615 may be useful for the treatment of HCC, without serious adverse effects.