mTOR Inhibition Is Most Beneficial After Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Active Tumors

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival benefit of sirolimus in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (exploratory analysis of the SiLVER-trial).

SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA

Patients receiving LT) for HCC are at a high risk for tumor recurrence. Calcineurin inhibitors have shown evidence to promote cancer growth, whereas mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors like sirolimus have anticancer effects. In the SiLVER-trial (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00355862), the effect of sirolimus on the recurrence of HCC after LT was investigated in a prospective randomized trial. Although the primary endpoint of improved disease-free survival (DFS) with sirolimus was not met, outcomes were improved for patients in the sirolimus-treatment arm in the first 3 to 5 years. To learn more about the key variables, a multivariate analysis was performed on the SiLVER-trial data.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from 508 patients of the intention-to-treat analysis were included in exploratory univariate and multivariate models for overall survival (OS), DFS and a competing risk analysis for HCC recurrence.

RESULTS

Sirolimus use for ≥3 months after LT for HCC independently reduced the hazard for death in the multivariate analysis [hazard ratio (HR): 0.7 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.52-0.96, P = 0.02). Most strikingly, patients with an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥10 ng/mL and having used sirolimus for ≥3 months, benefited most with regard to OS, DFS, and HCC-recurrence (HR: 0.49-0.59, P = 0.0079-0.0245).

CONCLUSIONS

mTOR-inhibitor treatment with sirolimus for ≥3 months improves outcomes in LT for HCC, especially in patients with AFP-evidence of higher tumor activity, advocating particularly for mTOR inhibitor use in this subgroup of patients.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

EudraCT: 2005-005362-36 CLINICALTRIALS.GOV:: NCT00355862.

Health related quality of life in chronic liver diseases

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The impact of chronic liver diseases (CLDs) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is relevant to understand the burden of these conditions and inform decision-making processes related to their care. Studies simultaneously comparing the HRQoL of patients affected by the major CLDs to that of the general population are still lacking and are the subject of this study.

METHODS

Using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire, we analysed and compared HRQoL data from 2962 Italian patients affected by CLDs and forming a representative sample of the general Italian population (6800 individuals). Exploratory analyses were conducted to investigate the effects of each CLD on HRQoL, using the general population as reference and adjusting for possible confounders.

RESULTS

Patients with CLDs (HBV, HCV, PSC, PBC, AIH, NAFLD/NASH) in the chronic hepatitis stage and with compensated cirrhosis (CC) showed HRQoL similar to the general population. However, AIH were more likely to report problems in self-care and lower EQ-5D VAS score, while NAFLD/NASH and HCV showed an increased risk of anxiety/depression. On the other hand, with progression to more advanced stages of liver disease (DC or HCC), HRQoL decreased significantly with higher risk of reporting problems in the physical domains, and significant reductions in the VAS and utility index scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Different subtypes of CLD affected different QoL domains. This study therefore provides a real estimate of the impact of CLDs on patients' HRQoL, and represents a much needed tool to inform decision-making while assessing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the care of these patients.

Minimally Invasive Stage 1 to Protect Against the Risk of Liver Failure: Results from the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Series of the Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy Italian Registry

Introduction: Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) has been described to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but burdened, in its pioneering phase, by high morbidity and mortality. With the advent of minimally invasive (MI) techniques in liver surgery, surgical complications, including posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), have been dramatically reduced. The primary endpoint of this study was to compare the short-term outcomes of MI- versus open-ALPPS for HCC, with specific focus on PHLF. Methods: Data of patients submitted to ALPPS for HCC between 2012 and 2020 were identified from the ALPPS Italian Registry. Patients receiving an MI Stage 1 (MI-ALPPS) constituted the study group, whereas the patients who received an open Stage 1 (open-ALPPS) constituted the control group. Results: Sixty-six patients were enrolled from 12 Italian centers. Stage 1 of ALPPS was performed in 14 patients using an MI approach (21.2%). MI-ALPPS patients were discharged after Stage 1 at a significantly higher rate compared with open-ALPPS (78.6% versus 9.6%, P < .001). After Stage 2, major morbidity after MI-ALPPS was 8.3% compared with 28.6% reported after open-ALPPS. Mortality was nil after MI-ALPPS. Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in MI-ALPPS (12 days versus 22 days, P < .001). Univariate logistic regression analysis (Firth method) found that both MI-ALPPS (odds ratio [OR] = 0.05, P = .040) and partial parenchymal transection (OR = 0.04, P = .027) were protective against PHLF. Conclusion: This national multicenter study showed that a less invasive approach to ALPPS first stage was associated with a lower overall risk of PHLF.

Liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma after tumour downstaging (XXL): a randomised, controlled, phase 2b/3 trial

BACKGROUND

Indications for liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma are evolving and so-called expanded criteria remain debated. Locoregional therapies are able to downstage hepatocellular carcinoma from beyond to within the Milan criteria. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of liver transplantation after successful hepatocellular carcinoma downstaging.

METHODS

We did an open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial designed in two phases, 2b and 3, at nine Italian tertiary care and transplantation centres. Patients aged 18-65 years with hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria, absence of macrovascular invasion or extrahepatic spread, 5-year estimated post-transplantation survival of at least 50%, and good liver function (Child-Pugh A-B7) were recruited and underwent tumour downstaging with locoregional, surgical, or systemic therapies according to multidisciplinary decision. After an observation period of 3 months, during which sorafenib was allowed, patients with partial or complete responses according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors were randomly assigned (1:1) by an interactive web-response system to liver transplantation or non-transplantation therapies (control group). A block randomisation (block size of 2), stratified by centre and compliance to sorafenib treatment, was applied. Liver transplantation was done with whole or split organs procured from brain-dead donors. The control group received sequences of locoregional and systemic treatment at the time of demonstrated tumour progression. The primary outcomes were 5-year tumour event-free survival for phase 2b and overall survival for phase 3. Analyses were by intention to treat. Organ allocation policy changed during the course of the study and restricted patient accrual to 4 years. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01387503.

FINDINGS

Between March 1, 2011, and March 31, 2015, 74 patients were enrolled. Median duration of downstaging was 6 months (IQR 4-11). 29 patients dropped out before randomisation and 45 were randomly assigned: 23 to the transplantation group versus 22 to the control group. At data cutoff on July 31, 2019, median follow-up was 71 months (IQR 60-85). 5-year tumour event-free survival was 76·8% (95% CI 60·8-96·9) in the transplantation group versus 18·3% (7·1-47·0) in the control group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·20, 95% CI 0·07-0·57; p=0·003). 5-year overall survival was 77·5% (95% CI 61·9-97·1) in the transplantation group versus 31·2% (16·6-58·5) in the control group (HR 0·32, 95% CI 0·11-0·92; p=0·035). The most common registered grade 3-4 serious adverse events were hepatitis C virus recurrence (three [13%] of 23 patients) and acute transplant rejection (two [9%]) in the transplantation group, and post-embolisation syndrome (two [9%] of 22 patients) in the control group. Treatment-related deaths occurred in four patients: two (8%) of 23 patients in the transplantation group (myocardial infarction and multi-organ failure) versus two (9%) of 22 patients in the control group (liver decompensation).

INTERPRETATION

Although results must be interpreted with caution owing to the early closing of the trial, after effective and sustained downstaging of eligible hepatocellular carcinomas beyond the Milan criteria, liver transplantation improved tumour event-free survival and overall survival compared with non-transplantation therapies Post-downstaging tumour response could contribute to the expansion of hepatocellular carcinoma transplantation criteria.

FUNDING

Italian Ministry of Health.

The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on liver transplantation programs in Northern Italy

In January 2020, Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in a global pandemic, creating uncertainty toward the management of liver transplantation (LT) programs. Lombardy has been the most affected region in Italy: the current mortality rate of COVID-19 patients is 18.3% (10 022 deaths; April 10th) with hospitals in Lombardy having to expand the total number of ICU beds from 724 to 1381 to accommodate infected patients. There has been a drastic decrease in liver donors. From February 23rd until April 10th, 17 LTs were performed in Lombardy. Mean donor age was 49 years (range 18-74) whereas mean recipient age was 55 (13-69); mean MELD score was 12 (6-24). All donors underwent screening for SARS-CoV-2 prior to LT. Two patients tested positive after LT, and one patient died for COVID on POD 30. Sixteen patients are alive after an average of 30 days post-LT (range 3-46). 10 patients have been discharged. This study has found no specific reason concerning the safety of recipients, to stop LT programs. Several key lessons from our experience are reported. However, due to the complex circumstances which surround the viral outbreak, the cessation or a reduction in LT activity is a pragmatic requirement.

Successful preservation and transplant of warm ischaemic lungs from controlled donors after circulatory death by prolonged in situ ventilation during normothermic regional perfusion of abdominal organs

OBJECTIVES

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) potentially provides transplantable lungs suitable for a transplant, but in Italy, the need for 20 min of a no-touch period after cardiac arrest for legal declaration of death poses real challenges to organ preservation.

METHODS

This is a single-institution, retrospective study using data collected prospectively between October and December 2017. After the approval of the multidisciplinary DCD study group of Regione Lombardia, Maastricht category III DCD donors became eligible for combined procurement of lungs and abdominal organs. Our group subsequently established a dedicated technical protocol. Our protocol consists of a non-rapid normothermic open-lung procurement process that takes place during abdominal normothermic regional perfusion, namely without pleural topical cooling before the start of pneumoplegia. After the lung is procured according to the technique described in the article, lung function is evaluated by ex vivo lung perfusion, which is run with the low-flow, open atrium, low haematocrit technique.

RESULTS

During the study, we managed 5 controlled DCDs. In 3 cases, the lungs were successfully transplanted. All 3 patients are alive after 1 year, with good respiratory function.

CONCLUSIONS

Our approach resulted in adequate lung preservation and successful transplants without detrimental effects on abdominal organ procurement, confirming the possibility of overcoming the obstacle of a long no-touch period in a DCD setting.

Clinical outcome indicators in chronic hepatitis B and C: A primer for value-based medicine in hepatology

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are major health problems that require complex and costly treatments. Liver-specific clinical outcome indicators (COIs) able to assist both clinicians and administrators in improving the value of care are presently lacking. The Value-Based Medicine in Hepatology (VBMH) study aims to fill this gap, devising and testing a set of COIs for CLD, that could be easily collected during clinical practice. Here we report the COIs generated and recorded for patients with HBV or HCV infection at different stages of the disease.

METHODS/RESULTS

In the first phase of VBMH study, COIs were identified, based on current international guidelines and literature, using a modified Delphi method and a RAND 9-point appropriateness scale. In the second phase, COIs were tested in an observational, longitudinal, prospective, multicentre study based in Lombardy, Italy. Eighteen COIs were identified for HBV and HCV patients. Patients with CLD secondary to HBV (547) or HCV (1391) were enrolled over an 18-month period and followed for a median of 4 years. The estimation of the proposed COIs was feasible in the real-word clinical practice and COI values compared well with literature data. Further, the COIs were able to capture the impact of new effective treatments like direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in the clinical practice.

CONCLUSIONS

The COIs efficiently measured clinical outcomes at different stages of CLDs. While specific clinical practice settings and related healthcare systems may modify their implementation, these indicators will represent an important component of the tools for a value-based approach in hepatology and will positively affect care delivery.

Multicentre evaluation of case volume in minimally invasive hepatectomy

Background

Surgical outcomes may be associated with hospital volume and the influence of volume on minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) is not known.

Methods

Patients entered into the prospective registry of the Italian Group of MILS from 2014 to 2018 were considered. Only centres with an accrual period of at least 12 months and stable MILS activity during the enrolment period were included. Case volume was defined by the mean number of minimally invasive liver resections performed per month (MILS/month).

Results

A total of 2225 MILS operations were undertaken by 46 centres; nine centres performed more than two MILS/month (1376 patients) and 37 centres carried out two or fewer MILS/month (849 patients). The proportion of resections of anterolateral segments decreased with case volume, whereas that of major hepatectomies increased. Left lateral sectionectomies and resections of anterolateral segments had similar outcome in the two groups. Resections of posterosuperior segments and major hepatectomies had higher overall and severe morbidity rates in centres performing two or fewer MILS/month than in those undertaking a larger number (posterosuperior segments resections: overall morbidity 30·4 versus 18·7 per cent respectively, and severe morbidity 9·9 versus 4·0 per cent; left hepatectomy: 46 versus 22 per cent, and 19 versus 5 per cent; right hepatectomy: 42 versus 34 per cent, and 25 versus 15 per cent).

Conclusion

A volume–outcome association existed for minimally invasive hepatectomy. Complex and major resections may be best managed in high-volume centres.

A national mandatory-split liver policy: A report from the Italian experience

To implement split liver transplantation (SLT) a mandatory-split policy has been adopted in Italy since August 2015: donors aged 18-50 years at standard risk are offered for SLT, resulting in a left-lateral segment (LLS) graft for children and an extended-right graft (ERG) for adults. We aim to analyze the impact of the new mandatory-split policy on liver transplantation (LT)-waiting list and SLT outcomes, compared to old allocation policy. Between August 2015 and December 2016 out of 413 potentially "splittable" donors, 252 (61%) were proposed for SLT, of whom 53 (21%) donors were accepted for SLT whereas 101 (40.1%) were excluded because of donor characteristics and 98 (38.9%) for absence of suitable pediatric recipients. The SLT rate augmented from 6% to 8.4%. Children undergoing SLT increased from 49.3% to 65.8% (P = .009) and the pediatric LT-waiting list time dropped (229 [10-2121] vs 80 [12-2503] days [P = .045]). The pediatric (4.5% vs 2.5% [P = .398]) and adult (9.7% to 5.2% [P < .001]) LT-waiting list mortality reduced; SLT outcomes remained stable. Retransplantation (HR = 2.641, P = .035) and recipient weight >20 kg (HR = 5.113, P = .048) in LLS, and ischemic time >8 hours (HR = 2.475, P = .048) in ERG were identified as predictors of graft failure. A national mandatory-split policy maximizes the SLT donor resources, whose selection criteria can be safely expanded, providing favorable impact on the pediatric LT-waiting list and priority for adult sick LT candidates.

Early post-liver transplant surgical morbidity in HIV-infected recipients: risk factor for overall survival? A nationwide retrospective study

The aim of the study was to analyse the risk factors for early surgical complications requiring relaparotomy and the related impact on overall survival (OS) in HIV-infected patients submitted to liver transplantation. Thus a retrospective investigation was conducted on a nationwide multicentre cohort of 157 HIV patients submitted to liver transplantation in six Italian Transplant Units between 2004 and 2014. An early relaparotomy was performed in 24.8% of cases and the underlying clinical causes were biliary leak (8.2%), bleeding (8.2%), intestinal perforation (4.5%) and suspect of vascular complications(3.8%). No differences in terms of prevalence for either overall or cause-specific early relaparotomies were noted when compared with a non-HIV control group, matched for MELD, recipient age, HCV-RNA positivity and HBV prevalence. While in the control group an early relaparotomy appeared a negative prognostic factor, such impact on OS was not noted in HIV recipients. Nonetheless increasing number of relaparotomies were associated with decreased survival. In multivariate analysis, preoperative refractory ascites and Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy reconstruction were significant risk factors for early relaparotomy. To conclude, in HIV liver transplanted patients, an increasing number of early relaparotomies because of surgical complications does negatively affect the OS. Preoperative refractory ascites reflecting a severe portal hypertension and a difficult biliary tract reconstruction requiring a Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy are associated with increased risk of early relaparotomy.

Very Early Introduction of Everolimus in De Novo Liver Transplantation: Results of a Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized Trial

Early everolimus (EVR) introduction and tacrolimus (TAC) minimization after liver transplantation may represent a novel immunosuppressant approach. This phase 2, multicenter, randomized, open-label trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of early EVR initiation. Patients treated with corticosteroids, TAC, and basiliximab were randomized (2:1) to receive EVR (1.5 mg twice daily) on day 8 and to gradually minimize or withdraw TAC when EVR was stable at >5 ng/mL or to continue TAC at 6-12 ng/mL. The primary endpoint was the proportion of treated biopsy-proven acute rejection (tBPAR)-free patients at 3 months after transplant. As secondary endpoints, composite tBPAR plus graft/patient loss rate, renal function, TAC discontinuation rate, and adverse events were assessed. A total of 93 patients were treated with EVR, and 47 were controls. After 3 months from transplantation, 87.1% of patients with EVR and 95.7% of controls were tBPAR-free (P = 0.09); composite endpoint-free patients with EVR were 85% (versus 94%; P = 0.15). Also at 3 months, 37.6% patients were in monotherapy with EVR, and the tBPAR rate was 11.4%. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly higher with EVR, as early as 2 weeks after randomization. In the study group, higher rates of dyslipidemia (15% versus 6.4%), wound complication (18.32% versus 0%), and incisional hernia (25.8% versus 6.4%) were observed, whereas neurological disorders were more frequent in the control group (13.9% versus 31.9%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, an early EVR introduction and TAC minimization may represent a suitable approach when immediate preservation of renal function is crucial.

2018 Annual Report of the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR) - 50-year evolution of liver transplantation

The purpose of this registry study was to provide an overview of trends and results of liver transplantation (LT) in Europe from 1968 to 2016. These data on LT were collected prospectively from 169 centers from 32 countries, in the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR) beginning in 1968. This overview provides epidemiological data, as well as information on evolution of techniques, and outcomes in LT in Europe over more than five decades; something that cannot be obtained from only a single center experience.

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a cost analysis of yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization versus sorafenib

Aim: The aim was to evaluate cost–effectiveness of yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) in comparison to sorafenib treatment. Patients & methods: A single-center, retrospective, observational study was performed, 166 patients with intermediate-/advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with sorafenib and 19 with TARE. The patients out of the sorafenib group matching the inclusion criteria for TARE, were reassigned to a subgroup SOR3. Results: Mean costs for SOR3 patients amounted to €27,992 per patient, instead for TARE treatment, mean expense per patient was €17,761 (p = 0.028). Overall survival was similar between the two groups, while midterm survival rates (p = 0.012) were significantly higher with TARE treatment. Conclusion: TARE causes significantly lower treatment costs than sorafenib with better outcome in midterm survival.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in ovarian and gastrointestinal peritoneal carcinomatosis: results from a 7-year experience

Background

An increasing promising evidence and increasing long-term oncologic outcomes support the use of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) as locoregional treatment for peritoneal carcinosis (PC) especially from ovarian and gastrointestinal tumors, but also for others cancers.

Methods

A prospective monocentric study was performed in Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo (Italy). Patients and tumor characteristics were analyzed. Overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS) and morbidity were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank testing.

Results

A total of 150 patients undergone CRS + HIPEC were analyzed from January 2011 to June 2017. The principal origins of PC were: gastric cancer (GC) (n=40), colon cancer (n=31), appendiceal cancer (AC) (n=18), ovarian cancer (OC) (n=49), others (n=12). Major morbidity [≥3 Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE)] and perioperative mortality rates were 38% and 2.7% respectively. Re-operation rate was 15.3%. Median OS is 9, 35, 47, 51, 82 months (29% 3-year OS; 27% 5-year OS; 48% 5-year OS; 40% 5-year OS; 67% 5-year OS respectively) in GC, colorectal cancer (CRC), OC, others tumors and AC respectively. Median DFS is 4, 14, 17, 19, 82 months (32% 3-year DFS; 22% 5-year DFS; 29% 5-year DFS; 11% 5-year DFS; 67% 5-year DFS respectively) in GC, CRC, others tumors, OC and AC respectively.

Conclusions

A therapeutic approach that combined CRS + HIPEC could achieve long-term survival in selected groups of patients with PC from gastrointestinal, gynecological and others tumors with acceptable morbidity and mortality. A good expertise and a high volume of patients are necessary to manage PC and to further improve results.

Mycotic aneurysm of the hepatic artery in pediatric liver transplantation: A case series and literature review

Mycotic aneurysm of the hepatic artery (HA) is a rare, unpredictable, and potentially lethal complication of liver transplantation (LT). Pediatric LT is not exempt from it but the related literature is rather scanty. We present our experience with post-LT mycotic aneurysm of the HA in pediatric age, describing four cases occurred with a special focus on the possible risk factors for its development and a proposal for the management of high-risk recipients.

Survival of children after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in childhood differs from adult HCC because it is often associated with inherited liver disease. It is, however, unclear whether liver transplantation (LT) for HCC in childhood with or without associated inherited disease has a comparable outcome to adult HCC. On the basis of data from the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR), we aimed to investigate if there are differences in patient and graft survival after LT for HCC between children and adults and between patients with underlying inherited versus noninherited liver disease, respectively. We included all 175 children who underwent LT for HCC and were enrolled in ELTR between 1985 and 2012. Of these, 38 had an associated inherited liver disease. Adult HCC patients with (n = 79) and without (n = 316, matched by age, sex, and LT date) inherited liver disease served as an adult comparison population. We used multivariable piecewise Cox regression models with shared frailty terms (for LT center) to compare patient and graft survival between the different HCC groups. Survival analyses demonstrated a superior longterm survival of children with inherited liver disease when compared with children with HCC without inherited liver disease (hazard ratio [HR], 0.29; 95% CI, 0.10-0.90; P = 0.03) and adults with HCC with inherited liver disease (HR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.06-1.25; P = 0.09). There was no survival difference between adults with and without inherited disease (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.66-1.66; P = 0.84). In conclusion, the potential survival advantage of children with an HCC based on inherited disease should be acknowledged when considering transplantation and prioritization for these patients. Further prospective studies accounting for tumor size and extension at LT are necessary to fully interpret our findings. Liver Transplantation 24 246-255 2018 AASLD.

Value of HCC-MELD Score in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Liver Transplantation

CONTEXT

Liver transplantation (LT) is considered the ideal therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) having cirrhosis but the shortage of liver donors and the risk of dropout from the wait list due to tumor progression severely limit transplantation. A new prognostic score, the HCC-model for end-stage liver disease (HCC-MELD), was developed by combining α-fetoprotein (AFP), MELD, and tumor size, to improve risk stratification of dropout in patients with HCC.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we investigated the ability of the HCC-MELD score in predicting the posttransplant for patients fulfilling Milan criteria (MC).

DESIGN

Two hundred patients with stage II tumor were retrospectively reviewed from a total of 1290 transplants performed at our institution from October 1997 through April 2015. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the prognostic factors impacting the posttransplant survival.

RESULTS

Overall survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 89.3%, 71.1%, and 67.2%, whereas disease-free survival was 86.4%, 66.5%, and 52.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed HCC-MELD score (hazard ratio [HR] 39.6, P < .001) and microvascular invasion (HR 2.41, P = .002) to be independent risk factors for recurrence, whereas HCC diameter (HR 1.15, P = .041), HCC-MELD (HR 15.611, P = .006), and grading (HR 2.17, P = .03) proved to be predictive factors of poor overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed the validity of the HCC-MELD equation in the evaluation of patients undergoing LT for HCC. This score offers a reliable method to assess the risk of waiting list dropout and predict posttransplantation outcomes.

Postoperative complications in cirrhotic pediatric deceased donor liver transplantation: Focus on transfusion therapy

Intraoperative transfusions seem associated with patient death and graft failure after PLTx. A retrospective analysis of recipients' and donors' characteristics and transplantation data in a cohort of patients undergoing PLTx from 2002 to 2009 at the Bergamo General Hospital was performed. A two-stage hierarchical Cox proportional hazard regression with forward stepwise selection was used to identify the main risk factors for major complications. In addition, propensity score analysis was used to adjust risk estimates for possible selection biases in the use of blood products. Over the 12-year period, 232 pediatric cirrhotic patients underwent PLTx. One-year patient and graft survival rates were 92.3% and 83.7%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier shows that the main decrease in both graft and patient survival occurs during the first months post-transplantation. At the same time, it appears that most of the complications occur during the first month post-transplantation. One-month and 1-year patient complication-free survival rates were 24.8% and 12.1%, respectively. Our study shows that intraoperative red blood cells and platelet transfusions are independent risk factors for developing one or more major complications in the first year after PLTx. Decreasing major complications will improve the health status and overall long-term patient survival after pediatric PLTx.

A matched pair analysis of multicenter longterm follow-up after split-liver transplantation with extended right grafts

Split-liver transplantation has been proposed as an alternative to whole liver (WL) transplantation to expand the donor pool, but studies comparing adult longterm outcomes between the 2 methods are conflicting and limited. This is the first Italian multicenter study that retrospectively analyzed 119 matched-pair recipients of whole and extended right grafts (ERGs) for longterm survival outcomes. In the overall population, WL recipients showed higher patient survival at 1 (93% versus 73%), 5 (87% versus 65%), and 10 years (83% versus 60%) after transplantation compared with split-liver recipients (P < 0.001); graft survivals of WL recipients were also superior at 1 (90% versus 76%), 5 (84% versus 57%), and 10 years (81% versus 52%) posttransplant (P < 0.001). However, among the 81 matched pairs that survived the first posttransplant year, 5- and 10-year patient survivals were 90% and 81% for split recipients and 99% and 96% for whole recipients, respectively (P = 0.34). The 5- and 10-year graft survivals were also comparable: 87% and 77% for split recipients, and 86% and 82% for whole recipients (P = 0.86). Cox regression analysis identified donor age >50, donor-to-recipient weight ratio < 1, retransplantation status, and United Network for Organ Sharing I-IIA status as risk factors for partial graft use. There were no significant differences in 5-year outcomes based on center volume. In conclusion, we demonstrate that adult liver transplantation with ERGs can achieve longterm success comparable with that of whole grafts in appropriate patients but should be selectively used in patients with risk factors. Liver Transplantation 23 1384-1395 2017 AASLD.

Successful management of acute liver failure in Italian children: A 16-year experience at a referral centre for paediatric liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Identifying the causes of acute liver failure (ALF) and predictors of death or liver transplantation (LTX) is crucial to decide its management. We aimed to describe features and outcome of ALF in Italian children.

METHODS

Retrospective review of cases presenting between 1996-2012. ALF was defined by high transaminases, INR ≥2.0 regardless of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), no evidence of underlying chronic liver disease.

RESULTS

55 children (median age 2.6 years, range 0.1-15.1; M/F=31/24) had ALF due to autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in 10 (18%), metabolic disorders in 9 (17%), paracetamol overdose in 6 (11%), mushroom poisoning in 3 (5%), viral infection in 1 (2%), indeterminate in 26 (47%); 25/55 recovered with supportive management (45%); 28/55 underwent LTX and 2 died on the waiting list (55%). On multivariate analysis severity of HE grade 3-4 and bilirubin ≥12mg/dl were independent predictors of death or LTX (p<0.05). After a median follow up of 4 years (range 2-15.0 years) the overall survival rate was 93%.

CONCLUSION

Children with ALF can be managed successfully with combined medical treatment and transplantation, warranting a survival rate similar to children transplanted because of chronic conditions. In our cohort of patients severe HE and high bilirubin on admission were independent predictors of the need of LTX.

Optimising the clinical strategy for autoimmune liver diseases: Principles of value-based medicine

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis represent the three major autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs). Their management is highly specialized, requires a multidisciplinary approach and often relies on expensive, orphan drugs. Unfortunately, their treatment is often unsatisfactory, and the care pathway heterogeneous across different centers. Disease-specific clinical outcome indicators (COIs) able to evaluate the whole cycle of care are needed to assist both clinicians and administrators in improving quality and value of care. Aim of our study was to generate a set of COIs for the three AILDs. We then prospectively validated these indicators based on a series of consecutive patients recruited at three tertiary clinical centers in Lombardy, Italy.

METHODS

In phase I using a Delphi method and a RAND 9-point appropriateness scale a set of COIs was generated. In phase II the indicators were applied in a real-life dataset.

RESULTS

Two-hundred fourteen patients were enrolled and followed-up for a median time of 54months and the above COIs were recorded using a web-based electronic medical record program. The COIs were easy to collect in the clinical practice environment and their values compared well with the available natural history studies.

CONCLUSIONS

We have generated a comprehensive set of COIs which sequentially capture different clinical outcome of the three AILDs explored. These indicators represent a critical tool to implement a value-based approach to patients with these conditions, to monitor, compare and improve quality through benchmarking of clinical performance and to assess the significance of novel drugs and technologies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cholangiocytes in Health and Diseaseedited by Jesus Banales, Marco Marzioni, Nicholas LaRusso and Peter Jansen.