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Guo Z, Liu Y, Ling Q, Xu L, Wang T, Zhu J, Lin Y, Lu X, Qu W, Zhang F, Zhu Z, Zhang J, Jia Z, Zeng P, Wang W, Sun Q, Luo Q, Hu Z, Zheng Z, Jia Y, Li J, Zheng Y, Wang M, Wang S, Han Z, Yu S, Li C, Zhang S, Xiong J, Deng F, Liu Y, Chen H, Wang Y, Li L, Liang W, Schlegel A, Nashan B, Liu C, Zheng S, He X. Pretransplant use of immune checkpoint inhibitors for hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Am J Transplant 2024; 24:1837-1856. [PMID: 38642712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as a downstaging or bridging therapy for liver transplantation (LT) in hepatocellular carcinoma patients are rapidly increasing. However, the evidence about the feasibility and safety of pre-LT ICI therapy is limited and controversial. To this end, a multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted in 11 Chinese centers. The results showed that 83 recipients received pre-LT ICI therapy during the study period. The median post-LT follow-up was 8.1 (interquartile range 3.3-14.6) months. During the short follow-up, 23 (27.7%) recipients developed allograft rejection, and 7 of them (30.4%) were diagnosed by liver biopsy. Multivariate logistics regression analysis showed that the time interval between the last administration of ICI therapy and LT (TLAT) ≥ 30 days was an independent protective factor for allograft rejection (odds ratio = 0.096, 95% confidence interval 0.026-0.357; P < .001). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that allograft rejection was an independent risk factor for overall survival (hazard ratio = 9.960, 95% confidence interval 1.006-98.610; P = .043). We conclude that patients who receive a pre-LT ICI therapy with a TLAT shorter than 30 days have a much higher risk of allograft rejection than those with a TLAT longer than 30 days. The presence of rejection episodes might be associated with higher post-LT mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Guo
- Organ Transplant Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Liu
- Organ Transplant Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Ling
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Leibo Xu
- Department of Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tielong Wang
- Organ Transplant Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaxing Zhu
- Organ Transplant Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China; Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yimou Lin
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinjun Lu
- Department of Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Qu
- Liver Transplantation Center, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Clinical Center for Pediatric Liver Transplantation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Liver Transplantation Center, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Clinical Center for Pediatric Liver Transplantation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhijun Zhu
- Liver Transplantation Center, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Clinical Center for Pediatric Liver Transplantation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zehua Jia
- Organ Transplant Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Zeng
- Organ Transplant Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, China
| | - Qijie Luo
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, China
| | - Zemin Hu
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, China
| | - Zhouying Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yingbin Jia
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yujian Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation Center, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengchao Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation Center, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoping Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation Center, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zemin Han
- Division of Hepato-Bilio-Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Yu
- Division of Hepato-Bilio-Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuanjiang Li
- Division of Hepato-Bilio-Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuhua Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of General Surgery, Liver transplant center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Xiong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of General Surgery, Liver transplant center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Feiwen Deng
- Organ Transplant Centre, Liver Surgery Department, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Organ Transplant Centre, Liver Surgery Department, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Huanwei Chen
- Organ Transplant Centre, Liver Surgery Department, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Yanfeng Wang
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantation, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Li
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantation, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjin Liang
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantation, Wuhan, China
| | - Andrea Schlegel
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Department of Immunity and Inflammation, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Björn Nashan
- Organ Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Xiaoshun He
- Organ Transplant Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China.
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2
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Berg T, Aehling NF, Bruns T, Welker MW, Weismüller T, Trebicka J, Tacke F, Strnad P, Sterneck M, Settmacher U, Seehofer D, Schott E, Schnitzbauer AA, Schmidt HH, Schlitt HJ, Pratschke J, Pascher A, Neumann U, Manekeller S, Lammert F, Klein I, Kirchner G, Guba M, Glanemann M, Engelmann C, Canbay AE, Braun F, Berg CP, Bechstein WO, Becker T, Trautwein C. S2k-Leitlinie Lebertransplantation der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie, Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten (DGVS) und der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie (DGAV). ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2024; 62:1397-1573. [PMID: 39250961 DOI: 10.1055/a-2255-7246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Berg
- Bereich Hepatologie, Medizinischen Klinik II, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
| | - Niklas F Aehling
- Bereich Hepatologie, Medizinischen Klinik II, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
| | - Tony Bruns
- Medizinische Klinik III, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Martin-Walter Welker
- Medizinische Klinik I Gastroent., Hepat., Pneum., Endokrin. Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Deutschland
| | - Tobias Weismüller
- Klinik für Innere Medizin - Gastroenterologie und Hepatologie, Vivantes Humboldt-Klinikum, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Medizinische Klinik B für Gastroenterologie und Hepatologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Deutschland
| | - Frank Tacke
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medizinische Klinik m. S. Hepatologie und Gastroenterologie, Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK) und Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Pavel Strnad
- Medizinische Klinik III, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Martina Sterneck
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Utz Settmacher
- Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Gefäßchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Deutschland
| | - Daniel Seehofer
- Klinik für Viszeral-, Transplantations-, Thorax- und Gefäßchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
| | - Eckart Schott
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II - Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Diabetolgie, Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Berlin, Deutschland
| | | | - Hartmut H Schmidt
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie und Hepatologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Deutschland
| | - Hans J Schlitt
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Deutschland
| | - Johann Pratschke
- Chirurgische Klinik, Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Andreas Pascher
- Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Transplantationschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Deutschland
| | - Ulf Neumann
- Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Transplantationschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Deutschland
| | - Steffen Manekeller
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral-, Thorax- und Gefäßchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Frank Lammert
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Ingo Klein
- Chirurgische Klinik I, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Gabriele Kirchner
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg und Innere Medizin I, Caritaskrankenhaus St. Josef Regensburg, Regensburg, Deutschland
| | - Markus Guba
- Klinik für Allgemeine, Viszeral-, Transplantations-, Gefäß- und Thoraxchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum München, München, Deutschland
| | - Matthias Glanemann
- Klinik für Allgemeine, Viszeral-, Gefäß- und Kinderchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg, Deutschland
| | - Cornelius Engelmann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medizinische Klinik m. S. Hepatologie und Gastroenterologie, Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK) und Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Ali E Canbay
- Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Deutschland
| | - Felix Braun
- Klinik für Allgemeine Chirurgie, Viszeral-, Thorax-, Transplantations- und Kinderchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Schlewswig-Holstein, Kiel, Deutschland
| | - Christoph P Berg
- Innere Medizin I Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Infektiologie, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Tübingen, Deutschland
| | - Wolf O Bechstein
- Klinik für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Deutschland
| | - Thomas Becker
- Klinik für Allgemeine Chirurgie, Viszeral-, Thorax-, Transplantations- und Kinderchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Schlewswig-Holstein, Kiel, Deutschland
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3
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Lamarque C, Segaux L, Bachellier P, Buchard B, Chermak F, Conti F, Decaens T, Dharancy S, Di Martino V, Dumortier J, Francoz-Caudron C, Gugenheim J, Hardwigsen J, Muscari F, Radenne S, Salamé E, Uguen T, Ursic-Bedoya J, Antoine C, Deshayes A, Jacquelinet C, Natella PA, Leroy V, Cherqui D, Oubaya N, Duvoux C. Evaluation of a delayed liver transplantation strategy for patients with HCC receiving bridging therapy: the DELTA-HCC study. J Hepatol 2024; 81:278-288. [PMID: 38521171 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS To maximize utility and prevent premature liver transplantation (LT), a delayed LT strategy (DS) was adopted in France in 2015 in patients listed for any single HCC treated with resection or thermal ablation during the waiting phase. The DS involves postponing LT until recurrence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the DS to make sure that it did not hamper pre- and post-LT outcomes. METHODS Patients listed for HCC in France between 2015 and 2018 were studied. After data extraction from the national LT database, 2,025 patients were identified and classified according to six groups: single tumor entering DS, single tumor not entering DS, multiple tumors, no curative treatment, untreatable HCC or T1 tumors. Kaplan-Meier estimates of the 18-month risk of dropout for death, too sick to be transplanted or tumor progression before LT, 5-year post-LT HCC recurrence and post-LT survival rates were compared. RESULTS Median waiting-time in the DS group was 910 days. Pre-LT dropout probability was significantly lower in the DS group compared to other groups (13% vs. 19%, p = 0.0043) and significantly higher in the T1 group (25.4%, p = 0.05). Post-LT HCC recurrence rate in the multiple nodules group was significantly higher (19.6%, p = 0.019), while 5-year post-LT survival did not differ among groups and was 74% in the DS group (p = 0.22). CONCLUSION The DELTA-HCC study shows that DS does not negatively impact either pre- nor post-LT patient outcomes, and has the potential to allow for redistribution of organs to patients in more urgent need of LT. It can reasonably be proposed and pursued. The unexpectedly high risk of dropout in T1 patients seems related to the MELD-based offering rules underserving this subgroup. IMPACTS AND IMPLICATIONS To maximize utility and prevent premature liver transplantation (LT), a delayed LT strategy was adopted in France in 2015. It involves postponing LT until recurrence in patients listed for any single HCC curatively treated by surgical resection or thermal ablation. The DELTA-HCC study was conducted to evaluate this nationwide strategy. It shows in a European LT program that delayed strategy does not negatively impact pre- nor post-LT patient outcomes and is relevant to up to 20% of LT candidates; thus, it could potentially enable the redistribution of organs to patients in more urgent need of LT. Such a delayed strategy can reasonably be pursued and extended to other LT programs. Of note, an unexpectedly high risk of dropout in T1 patients, seemingly related to MELD-based offering rules which underserve these patients, calls for further scrutinization and revision of allocation rules in this subgroup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Lamarque
- Department of Hepatology, Henri Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, France.
| | | | - Philippe Bachellier
- Department of Hepatology, Hautepierre University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
| | - Benjamin Buchard
- Department of Hepatology, Estaing University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Faiza Chermak
- Department of Hepatology, Haut Lévêque University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Filomena Conti
- Department of Hepatology, Pitié Salpétrière University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Decaens
- Department of Hepatology, Grenoble-Alpes University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Vincent Di Martino
- Department of Hepatology, Jean Minjoz University Hospital, Besançon, France
| | - Jérôme Dumortier
- Department of Hepatology, E. Herriot University Hospital, Lyon, France
| | | | - Jean Gugenheim
- Department of Digestive Surgery, L'Archet University Hospital, Nice, France
| | - Jean Hardwigsen
- Department of Digestive Surgery, La Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Fabrice Muscari
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Rangueil University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Sylvie Radenne
- Department of Hepatology, Croix Rousse University Hospital, Lyon, France
| | - Ephrem Salamé
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Trousseau University Hospital, Tours, France
| | - Thomas Uguen
- Department of Hepatology, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - José Ursic-Bedoya
- Department of Hepatology, St Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Vincent Leroy
- Department of Hepatology, Henri Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, France
| | - Daniel Cherqui
- Department of Digestive Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Paul Brousse University Hospital, Villejuif, France
| | - Nadia Oubaya
- University Paris-Est Créteil, INSERM, IMRB, Créteil, France; Department of Public Health, Henri Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, France
| | - Christophe Duvoux
- Department of Hepatology, Henri Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, France
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Suddle A, Reeves H, Hubner R, Marshall A, Rowe I, Tiniakos D, Hubscher S, Callaway M, Sharma D, See TC, Hawkins M, Ford-Dunn S, Selemani S, Meyer T. British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults. Gut 2024; 73:1235-1268. [PMID: 38627031 PMCID: PMC11287576 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-331695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Deaths from the majority of cancers are falling globally, but the incidence and mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in the United Kingdom and in other Western countries. HCC is a highly fatal cancer, often diagnosed late, with an incidence to mortality ratio that approaches 1. Despite there being a number of treatment options, including those associated with good medium to long-term survival, 5-year survival from HCC in the UK remains below 20%. Sex, ethnicity and deprivation are important demographics for the incidence of, and/or survival from, HCC. These clinical practice guidelines will provide evidence-based advice for the assessment and management of patients with HCC. The clinical and scientific data underpinning the recommendations we make are summarised in detail. Much of the content will have broad relevance, but the treatment algorithms are based on therapies that are available in the UK and have regulatory approval for use in the National Health Service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Suddle
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Helen Reeves
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Richard Hubner
- Department of Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Ian Rowe
- University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Dina Tiniakos
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Stefan Hubscher
- Department of Pathology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mark Callaway
- Division of Diagnostics and Therapies, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Teik Choon See
- Department of Radiology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Hawkins
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Sarah Selemani
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Tim Meyer
- Department of Oncology, University College, London, UK
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5
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Mehta N, Kelley RK, Yao FY. Refining the approach to down-staging of HCC prior to liver transplantation: Patient selection, loco-regional treatments, and systemic therapies. Hepatology 2024; 80:238-253. [PMID: 37183865 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Neil Mehta
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - R Katie Kelley
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Francis Y Yao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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6
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Minici R, Venturini M, Guzzardi G, Fontana F, Coppola A, Piacentino F, Torre F, Spinetta M, Maglio P, Guerriero P, Ammendola M, Brunese L, Laganà D. Prognostic Role of Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR) in Patients with Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Undergoing Chemoembolizations (DEM-TACE or cTACE) of the Liver: Exploring the Link between Tumor Microenvironment and Interventional Radiology. Diseases 2024; 12:137. [PMID: 39057108 PMCID: PMC11275864 DOI: 10.3390/diseases12070137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation-based scores are biomarkers of the crosstalk between the tumor microenvironment and the immune response. Investigating the intricate relationship between the tumor stromal microenvironment, biomarkers, and the response to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is essential for early identification of TACE refractoriness or failure, providing insights into tumor biology and facilitating personalized therapeutic interventions. This study addresses a dearth of recent literature exploring the prognostic significance of the preoperative LMR in individuals from western countries diagnosed with stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing drug eluting microspheres TACE (DEM-TACE) or conventional TACE (cTACE). This international multi-center retrospective analysis included consecutive patients with stage B HCC who underwent TACE from January 2017 to June 2023. The study evaluated the ability of the preoperative LMR to predict complete response (CR), objective response (OR), sustained response duration (SRD) exceeding 6 months, successful downstaging at 6 months, progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months, and overall survival (OS) at 6 months. The study population included 109 HCC patients and it was divided into low LMR (LMR < 2.24) and high LMR (LMR ≥ 2.24) groups, according to ROC curve analysis to select the optimal LMR cut-off value. High LMR was associated with lower Hepatitis C prevalence, higher absolute lymphocyte count, and a trend toward lower alpha-fetoprotein. The group with high LMRs exhibited superior CR rates (14.9% vs. 0%), overall OR (43.2% vs. 14.3%), and better PFS at 6 months (75.7% vs. 45.7%). The LMR, specifically categorized as <2.24 and ≥2.24, emerged as a robust predictor for treatment response and short-term outcomes in patients with stage B HCC undergoing DEM- or c-TACE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Minici
- Radiology Unit, University Hospital Dulbecco, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Massimo Venturini
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, ASST Settelaghi, Insubria University, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.V.); (F.F.); (A.C.); (F.P.)
| | - Giuseppe Guzzardi
- Imagerie Vasculaire et Interventionnelle, Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, 98000 Monaco, Monaco; (G.G.); (F.T.)
| | - Federico Fontana
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, ASST Settelaghi, Insubria University, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.V.); (F.F.); (A.C.); (F.P.)
| | - Andrea Coppola
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, ASST Settelaghi, Insubria University, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.V.); (F.F.); (A.C.); (F.P.)
| | - Filippo Piacentino
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, ASST Settelaghi, Insubria University, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.V.); (F.F.); (A.C.); (F.P.)
| | - Federico Torre
- Imagerie Vasculaire et Interventionnelle, Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, 98000 Monaco, Monaco; (G.G.); (F.T.)
| | - Marco Spinetta
- Radiology Unit, Maggiore della Carità University Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy;
| | - Pietro Maglio
- Pain Management Unit, University Hospital Dulbecco, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Pasquale Guerriero
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (P.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Michele Ammendola
- Digestive Surgery Unit, University Hospital Dulbecco, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | | | - Luca Brunese
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (P.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Domenico Laganà
- Radiology Unit, University Hospital Dulbecco, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
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7
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Di Sandro S, Centonze L, Catellani B, Odorizzi R, Caracciolo D, Guidetti C, Magistri P, Esposito G, Guerrini GP, Di Benedetto F. Current role and perspectives of living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: systematic review of the past 20 years. Updates Surg 2024:10.1007/s13304-024-01862-y. [PMID: 38704462 DOI: 10.1007/s13304-024-01862-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a significant global health challenge, and liver transplantation (LT) remains the best curative option. Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) emerged as a potential solution to organ scarcity, reducing waitlist times. This comprehensive review explores LDLT practices, focusing on patient selection criteria and oncologic outcomes. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines included 50 studies (2004-2023) with 8062 patients. Data encompassed baseline characteristics, HCC features, and oncologic outcomes. Further analysis categorized results by geography and publication year. Heterogeneity in patient demographics, tumor burden, and transplant characteristics was observed. Recent LDLT series demonstrated a shift towards refined selection criteria, increased neoadjuvant treatment, and improved oncologic outcomes. Geographic disparities revealed unique challenges in Eastern and Western practices. LDLT proves effective for HCC, addressing donor shortages. Evolving practices highlight the importance of refining inclusion criteria and optimizing tumor management. While geographic differences exist, LDLT, when judiciously applied, offers promising outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Di Sandro
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy.
| | - Leonardo Centonze
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Barbara Catellani
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Roberta Odorizzi
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniela Caracciolo
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Cristiano Guidetti
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Paolo Magistri
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Esposito
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Gian Piero Guerrini
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Di Benedetto
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
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8
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Singal AG, Llovet JM, Yarchoan M, Mehta N, Heimbach JK, Dawson LA, Jou JH, Kulik LM, Agopian VG, Marrero JA, Mendiratta-Lala M, Brown DB, Rilling WS, Goyal L, Wei AC, Taddei TH. AASLD Practice Guidance on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2023; 78:1922-1965. [PMID: 37199193 PMCID: PMC10663390 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 316] [Impact Index Per Article: 316.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Amit G. Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Josep M. Llovet
- Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Tisch Cancer Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Translational Research in Hepatic Oncology, Liver Unit, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Mark Yarchoan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Neil Mehta
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Laura A. Dawson
- Radiation Medicine Program/University Health Network, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Janice H. Jou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Laura M. Kulik
- Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Vatche G. Agopian
- The Dumont–University of California, Los Angeles, Transplant Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jorge A. Marrero
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mishal Mendiratta-Lala
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Daniel B. Brown
- Department of Radiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - William S. Rilling
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Lipika Goyal
- Department of Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Alice C. Wei
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Tamar H. Taddei
- Department of Medicine (Digestive Diseases), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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9
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Natarajan B, Tabrizian P, Hoteit M, Frenette C, Parikh N, Ghaziani T, Dhanasekaran R, Guy J, Shui A, Florman S, Yao FY, Mehta N. Downstaging hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation: A multicenter analysis of the "all-comers" protocol in the Multicenter Evaluation of Reduction in Tumor Size before Liver Transplantation (MERITS-LT) consortium. Am J Transplant 2023; 23:1771-1780. [PMID: 37532179 PMCID: PMC10998692 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma meeting united network for organ sharing (UNOS)-downstaging (DS) criteria have excellent liver transplantation (LT) outcomes after DS. However, outcomes for "all-comers" (AC) patients with tumors initially exceeding UNOS-DS are poorly understood. Patients meeting AC (n = 82) or UNOS-DS (n = 229) at 7 LT centers in 4 UNOS regions were prospectively followed from 2015-2020. AC patients had a lower probability of successful DS (67% vs 83% within 12 months; P < .001). The 3-year survival was 69% for UNOS-DS vs 58% for AC (P = .05) and reduced to 30% in patients with Child-Pugh B/C cirrhosis or alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥ 500. Five-year LT probability was 42% for AC vs 74% in UNOS-DS (P = .10). Thirty-eight percent were understaged on explant, with the increasing sum of the largest tumor diameter plus the number of lesions before LT (odds ratio 1.3; P = .01) and AFP ≥ 20 (odds ratio 5.9; P = .005) associated with understaging. Post-LT 3-year survival was 91% for AC vs 81% for UNOS-DS (P = .67). In this first prospective multiregional study of AC patients from the multicenter evaluation of reduction in tumor size before liver transplantation (MERITS-LT) consortium, we observed a 65% probability of successful DS. Three-year survival in AC was nearly 60%, though AC with Child-Pugh B/C or AFP ≥ 500 had poor survival. Explant pathology and 3-year post-LT outcomes were similar between cohorts, suggesting that LT is a reasonable goal in selected AC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brahma Natarajan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Parissa Tabrizian
- Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maarouf Hoteit
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Catherine Frenette
- Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation, Scripps Green Hospital, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Neehar Parikh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Tara Ghaziani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Renu Dhanasekaran
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Jennifer Guy
- Department of Transplantation, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Amy Shui
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sander Florman
- Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Francis Y Yao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Neil Mehta
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
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10
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Di Sandro S, Sposito C, Ravaioli M, Lauterio A, Magistri P, Bongini M, Odaldi F, De Carlis R, Botta F, Centonze L, Maroni L, Citterio D, Guidetti C, Bagnardi V, De Carlis L, Cescon M, Mazzaferro V, Di Benedetto F. Surgical Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Multicenter Competing-risk Analysis of Tumor-related Death Following Liver Resection and Transplantation Under an Intention-to-treat Perspective. Transplantation 2023; 107:1965-1975. [PMID: 37022089 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma could benefit from upfront liver resection (LR) or liver transplantation (LT), but the optimal strategy in terms of tumor-related outcomes is still debated. We compared the oncological outcomes of LR and LT for hepatocellular carcinoma, stratifying the study population into a low-, intermediate-, and high-risk class according to the risk of death at 5-y predicted by a previously developed prognostic model. The impact of tumor pathology on oncological outcomes of low- and intermediate-risk patients undergoing LR was investigated as a secondary outcome. METHODS We performed a retrospective multicentric cohort study involving 2640 patients consecutively treated by LR or LT from 4 tertiary hepatobiliary and transplant centers between 2005 and 2015, focusing on patients amenable to both treatments upfront. Tumor-related survival and overall survival were compared under an intention-to-treat perspective. RESULTS We identified 468 LR and 579 LT candidates: 512 LT candidates underwent LT, whereas 68 (11.7%) dropped-out for tumor progression. Ninety-nine high-risk patients were selected from each treatment cohort after propensity score matching. Three and 5-y cumulative incidence of tumor-related death were 29.7% and 39.5% versus 17.2% and 18.3% for LR and LT group ( P = 0.039), respectively. Low-risk and intermediate-risk patients treated by LR and presenting satellite nodules and microvascular invasion had a significantly higher 5-y incidence of tumor-related death (29.2% versus 12.5%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS High-risk patients showed significantly better intention-to-treat tumor-related survival after upfront LT rather than LR. Cancer-specific survival of low- and intermediate-risk LR patients was significantly impaired by unfavorable pathology, suggesting the application of ab-initio salvage LT in such scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Di Sandro
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Carlo Sposito
- HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Ravaioli
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Lauterio
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Magistri
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marco Bongini
- HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Odaldi
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Riccardo De Carlis
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
- PhD Course in Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Univeristy of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Botta
- Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Leonardo Centonze
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Maroni
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Davide Citterio
- HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristiano Guidetti
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Bagnardi
- Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Luciano De Carlis
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Cescon
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mazzaferro
- HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Di Benedetto
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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11
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Wu X, Lokken RP, Mehta N. Optimal treatment for small HCC (<3 cm): Resection, liver transplantation, or locoregional therapy? JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100781. [PMID: 37456674 PMCID: PMC10339255 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains the most common form of liver cancer, accounting for 90% of all primary liver cancers. Up to 30% of HCC cases could be small (2-3 cm in diameter) at the time of diagnosis with advances in imaging techniques and surveillance programmes. Treating patients with early-stage HCC can be complex and often requires interdisciplinary care, owing to the wide and increasing variety of treatment options, which include liver resection, liver transplantation, and various locoregional therapies offered by interventional radiology and radiation oncology. Decisions regarding the optimal management strategy for a patient involve many considerations, including patient- and tumour-specific characteristics, as well as socioeconomic factors. In this review, we aim to comprehensively summarise the commonly used therapies for single, small HCC (<3 cm), with a focus on the impact of tumour size (<2 cm vs. 2-3 cm), as well as a brief discussion on the cost-effectiveness of the different treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wu
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Peter Lokken
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Neil Mehta
- Department of General Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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12
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Pommergaard HC. Prognostic biomarkers in and selection of surgical patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. APMIS 2023; 131 Suppl 146:1-39. [PMID: 37186326 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
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13
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Prognostic Role of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and Lymphocyte-to-C Reactive Protein Ratio (LCR) in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) undergoing Chemoembolizations (TACE) of the Liver: The Unexplored Corner Linking Tumor Microenvironment, Biomarkers and Interventional Radiology. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010257. [PMID: 36612251 PMCID: PMC9818978 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
TACE plays a pivotal role in hepatocellular carcinoma, from disease control to downstaging and bridging to liver transplant. Response to TACE is a surrogate marker of tumor aggressive biology, with manifold practical implications such as survival, the need for more aggressive treatments in the intermediate stage, the selection of patients on the transplant waiting list, the dropout rate from the transplant list and the post-transplant recurrence rate. Inflammation-based scores are biomarkers of the relationship between the tumor stromal microenvironment and the immune response. Investigating the connection among the tumor stromal microenvironment, biomarkers, and the response to TACE is crucial to recognize TACE refractoriness/failure, thus providing patients with tailored therapeutics. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the prognostic roles of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the lymphocyte-to-C reactive protein ratio (LCR) in patients with HCC undergoing chemoembolization of the liver. Inflammation-based scores may be convenient, easily obtained, low-cost, and reliable biomarkers with prognostic significance for HCC undergoing TACE. Baseline cut-off values differ between various studies, thus increasing confusion about using of inflammation-based scores in clinical practice. Further investigations should be conducted to establish the optimal cut-off values for inflammation-based scores, consolidating their use in clinical practice.
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14
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Gozzo C, Hermida M, Herrero A, Panaro F, Cassinotto C, Mohamad AM, Assenat E, Guillot C, Allimant C, Schembri V, Basile A, Dharancy S, Ursic-Bedoya J, Guiu B. Non-transplantable recurrence after percutaneous thermal ablation of ≤3-cm HCC: Predictors and implications for treatment allocation. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:2975-2987. [PMID: 35932178 PMCID: PMC9512464 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.2063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Percutaneous thermal ablation (PTA), resection, and liver transplantation are the standard curative options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver transplantation yields the best long‐term outcomes but is limited by graft shortage. Thus, patients with ≤3‐cm HCC are primarily treated by PTA even though recurrence is frequent and may occur outside transplant criteria. Data on non‐transplantable recurrence (NTR) following PTA are lacking, however. We therefore investigated the incidence and predictors of NTR among 213 potentially transplantable patients (cirrhosis, 93%; Child‐Pugh A, 98.6%; alcohol‐related disease, 62%) with ≤3‐cm HCC(s) treated by PTA, to stratify them according to their NTR risk and to improve treatment allocation. During follow‐up (median: 41.2 months), NTR occurred in 18.3% (alpha‐fetoprotein [AFP] model) and 23% (Milan) patients. NTR prediction with competing‐risk analysis and internal validation revealed AFP > 100 ng/ml (subdistribution hazard ratio: 7.28; p < 0.001) and prior HCC (subdistribution hazard ratio: 3.77; p = 0.002) as independent predictors (Harrell's C: 0.76). Based on this model using the AFP score (equally predictive within Milan criteria), patients were stratified into three NTR risk categories: HCC‐naïve with AFP < 100 ng/ml (low risk, n = 108 of 213), non‐HCC naïve with AFP < 100 ng/ml (intermediate risk, n = 92 of 213), AFP ≥ 100 ng/ml (high risk, n = 13 of 213), among whom 9.3% (3.7% [Milan]), 22.8% (25% [Milan]), and 61.5% (38/5% [Milan]) presented NTR (p < 0.001). Median recurrence‐free survival was 4.6, 14.5, and 43.4 months, respectively, in high‐risk, intermediate‐risk, and low‐risk categories (p < 0.001). Median overall survival, which was 19.1 months in high‐risk patients, was not reached otherwise (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Overall, PTA of ≤3‐cm HCC incurs a low NTR risk. Simple and noninvasive predictors (HCC naivety, AFP) accurately stratified patients' risk of NTR, and should help to improve treatment allocation. Patients with AFP ≥ 100 ng/ml have a high risk of NTR, poor recurrence‐free survival, and overall survival. Further studies evaluating preemptive transplantation or adjuvant/neoadjuvant strategies are highly needed in this small patient subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Gozzo
- Department of Radiology, St-Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France.,Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margaux Hermida
- Department of Radiology, St-Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Astrid Herrero
- Department of Liver Surgery, St-Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Fabrizio Panaro
- Division of HBP Surgery & Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Eric Assenat
- Department of Oncology, St-Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France.,Department of Hepatology, St-Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Chloé Guillot
- Department of Radiology, St-Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Carole Allimant
- Department of Radiology, St-Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Valentina Schembri
- Department of Radiology, St-Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Antonio Basile
- Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - José Ursic-Bedoya
- Department of Liver Surgery, St-Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Boris Guiu
- Department of Radiology, St-Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France
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15
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The impact of biological features for a better prediction of posttransplant hepatocellular cancer recurrence. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2022; 27:305-311. [PMID: 36354256 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Morphological criteria (i.e., Milan Criteria) have been considered for a long time to be the best tool for selecting patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) waiting for liver transplantation (LT). In the last ten years, a refinement of the selection criteria has been observed, with the introduction of biological tumor characteristics enabling to enlarge the number of potential transplant candidates and to select LT candidates with a lower risk of posttransplant recurrence. RECENT FINDINGS Several biological tumor aspects have been explored and validated in international cohorts to expand the ability to predict patients at high risk for recurrence. Alpha-fetoprotein, radiological response to locoregional treatments, and other more recently proposed markers have been principally explored. Moreover, more complex statistical approaches (i.e., deep learning) have been advocated to explore the nonlinear intercorrelations between the investigated features. SUMMARY The addition of biological aspects to morphology has improved the ability to discriminate among high- and low-risk patients for recurrence. New prognostic algorithms based on the more sophisticated artificial intelligence approach are further improving the capability to select LT candidates with HCC.
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16
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Pagano D, Khouzam S, Magro B, Barbara M, Cintorino D, di Francesco F, Li Petri S, Bonsignore P, Calamia S, Deiro G, Cammà C, Canzonieri M, Gruttadauria S. How important is the role of iterative liver direct surgery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for a transplant center located in an area with a low rate of deceased donation? Front Oncol 2022; 12:929607. [PMID: 35965558 PMCID: PMC9372920 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.929607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for nearly 90% of primary liver cancers, with estimates of over 1 million people affected by 2025. We aimed to explore the impacting role of an iterative surgical treatment approach in a cohort of HCC patients within the Milan criteria, associated with clinical risk factors for tumor recurrence (RHCC) after liver transplant (LT) and loco-regional therapies (LRT), as well as liver resection (LR) and/or microwave thermal ablation (MWTA).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed our experience performed during an 8-year period between January 2013 and December 2021 in patients treated for HCC, focusing on describing the impact on preoperative end-stage liver disease severity, oncologic staging, tumor characteristics, and surgical treatments. The Cox model was used to evaluate variables that could predict relapse risks. Relapse risk curves were calculated according to the Kaplan–Meier method, and the log-rank test was used to compare them.ResultsThere were 557 HCC patients treated with a first-line approach of LR and/or LRTs (n = 335) or LT (n = 222). The median age at initial transplantation was 59 versus 68 for those whose first surgical approach was LR and/or LRT. In univariate analysis with the Cox model, nodule size was the single predictor of recurrence of HCC in the posttreatment setting (HR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.05–2.47, p = 0.030). For the LRT group, we have enlightened the following clinical characteristics as significantly associated with RHCC: hepatitis B virus infection (which has a protective role with HR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.13–0.94, p = 0.038), number of HCC nodules (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.22–1.94, p < 0.001), size of the largest nodule (HR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01–1.12, p = 0.023), serum bilirubin (HR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.03–2.40, p = 0.038), and international normalized ratio (HR: 16.40, 95% CI: 2.30–118.0, p = 0.006). Among the overall 111 patients with RHCC in the LRT group, 33 were iteratively treated with further curative treatment (12 were treated with LR, two with MWTA, three with a combined LR-MWTA treatment, and 16 underwent LT). Only one of 18 recurrent patients previously treated with LT underwent LR. For these RHCC patients, multivariable analysis showed the protective roles of LT for primary RHCC after IDLS (HR: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01–0.36, p = 0.002), of the time relapsed between the first and second IDLS treatments (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94–0.99, p = 0.044), and the impact of previous minimally invasive treatment (HR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08–1.00, p = 0.051).ConclusionThe coexistence of RHCC with underlying cirrhosis increases the complexity of assessing the net health benefit of ILDS before LT. Minimally invasive surgical therapies and time to HCC relapse should be considered an outcome in randomized clinical trials because they have a relevant impact on tumor-free survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duilio Pagano
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Palermo, Italy
| | - Simone Khouzam
- Department of Surgery, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Bianca Magro
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Barbara
- Research Department, IRCCS-ISMETT (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico - Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad alta specializzazione), Palermo, Italy
| | - Davide Cintorino
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabrizio di Francesco
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Palermo, Italy
| | - Sergio Li Petri
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Palermo, Italy
| | - Pasquale Bonsignore
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Palermo, Italy
| | - Sergio Calamia
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giacomo Deiro
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogero Cammà
- Section of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Canzonieri
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gruttadauria
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Palermo, Italy
- Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- *Correspondence: Salvatore Gruttadauria,
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17
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Guerrini GP, Esposito G, Olivieri T, Magistri P, Ballarin R, Di Sandro S, Di Benedetto F. Salvage versus Primary Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Twenty-Year Experience Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3465. [PMID: 35884526 PMCID: PMC9320001 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Primary liver transplantation (PLT) for HCC represents the ideal treatment. However, since organ shortage increases the risk of drop-out from the waiting list for tumor progression, a new surgical strategy has been developed: Salvage Liver Transplantation (SLT) can be offered as an additional curative strategy for HCC recurrence after liver resection. The aim of this updated meta-analysis is to compare surgical and long-term outcomes of SLT versus PLT for HCC. (2) Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using the published papers comparing SLT and PLT up to January 2022. (3) Results: 25 studies describing 11,275 patients met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed no statistical difference in intraoperative blood loss, overall vascular complications, retransplantation rate, and hospital stay in the SLT group compared with the PLT group. However, the SLT group showed a slightly significant lower 5-year OS rate and 5-year disease-free survival rate. (4) Conclusion: meta-analysis advocates the relative safety and feasibility of both Salvage LT and Primary LT strategies. Specifically, SLT seems to have comparable surgical outcomes but slightly poorer long-term survival than PLT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Piero Guerrini
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Policlinico Modena Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41125 Modena, Italy; (G.E.); (T.O.); (P.M.); (R.B.); (S.D.S.); (F.D.B.)
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18
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Goldman ML, Zhou K, Dodge JL, Yao F, Mehta N. Lower Alpha-Fetoprotein Threshold of 500 ng/mL for Liver Transplantation May Improve Posttransplant Outcomes in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Liver Transpl 2022; 28:763-773. [PMID: 34927344 PMCID: PMC9295312 DOI: 10.1002/lt.26392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Under current United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) policy, patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels ≥1000 ng/mL are required to show a reduction in AFP level to <500 ng/mL before liver transplantation (LT). However, effects of AFP reduction on post-LT HCC outcomes among patients with HCC with moderately elevated AFP levels between 100 and <1000 ng/mL are unclear. Adults in the UNOS registry who underwent LTs from January 2005 to September 2015 with initial AFP levels of 100 to 999 ng/mL at listing for Model for End-Stage Liver Disease exceptions were included. Primary predictor was AFP level at LT, categorized as <100, 100 to 499, or ≥500 ng/mL, and patients with only 1 recorded pre-LT AFP value (AFP 1-value). Survival was compared using the Kaplan-Meier curve method. Factors associated with post-LT survival and HCC recurrence were assessed in a multivariable Cox regression model. Among 1766 included patients, 50.2% had AFP 1-value, followed by 24.7%, 18.9%, and 6.2% with AFP levels <100, 100 to 499, and ≥500 ng/mL, respectively. The 5-year post-LT survival rate was lowest in the AFP ≥500 category, at 56.1%, compared with 72.7%, 70.4%, and 65.6% in the AFP <100, 100 to 499 ng/mL, and AFP 1-value categories, respectively. In multivariable analysis, AFP ≥500 ng/mL at LT was associated with a greater risk of post-LT death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.1) and HCC recurrence (HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.1) when compared with the AFP <100 ng/mL category; other significant variables included donor risk index, age, race/ethnicity, Child-Turcotte-Pugh class, and tumor diameter. Among AFP levels ≥500 ng/mL at LT, 40.4% had AFP levels ≥1000, but no difference in post-LT survival or recurrence was seen between those patients with AFP levels < or ≥1000 ng/mL. Mandating AFP <500 ng/mL at LT for all patients, not only for those with initial AFP levels ≥1000 ng/mL, may improve post-LT outcomes and can be considered in future UNOS policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max L. Goldman
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Kali Zhou
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jennifer L. Dodge
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA,Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Francis Yao
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Neil Mehta
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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19
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Seehofer D, Petrowsky H, Schneeberger S, Vibert E, Ricke J, Sapisochin G, Nault JC, Berg T. Patient Selection for Downstaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prior to Liver Transplantation—Adjusting the Odds? Transpl Int 2022; 35:10333. [PMID: 35529597 PMCID: PMC9069348 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2022.10333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aims: Morphometric features such as the Milan criteria serve as standard criteria for liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Since it has been recognized that these criteria are too restrictive and do not adequately display the tumor biology, additional selection parameters are emerging. Methods: Concise review of the current literature on patient selection for downstaging and LT for HCC outside the Milan criteria. Results: The major task in patients outside the Milan criteria is the need for higher granularity with patient selection, since the benefit through LT is not uniform. The recent literature clearly shows that beneath tumor size and number, additional selection parameters are useful in the process of patient selection for and during downstaging. For initial patient selection, the alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level adds additional information to the size and number of HCC nodules concerning the chance of successful downstaging and LT. This effect is quantifiable using newer selection tools like the WE (West-Eastern) downstaging criteria or the Metroticket 2.0 criteria. Also an initial PET-scan and/or tumor biopsy can be helpful, especially in the high risk group of patients outside the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) criteria. After this entry selection, the clinical course during downstaging procedures concerning the tumor and the AFP response is of paramount importance and serves as an additional final selection tool. Conclusion: Selection criteria for liver transplantation in HCC patients are becoming more and more sophisticated, but are still imperfect. The implementation of molecular knowledge will hopefully support a more specific risk prediction for HCC patients in the future, but do not provide a profound basis for clinical decision-making at present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Seehofer
- Department of Visceral, Transplant, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Daniel Seehofer,
| | - Henrik Petrowsky
- Swiss HPB and Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Schneeberger
- Department of Visceral, Transplantation and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eric Vibert
- Centre Hépato-Biliaire, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Villejuif, France
| | - Jens Ricke
- Department of Radiology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gonzalo Sapisochin
- Ajmera Transplant Program and HPB Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jean-Charles Nault
- Service d’Hépatologie, Hôpital Avicenne, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Université Paris Nord, Paris, France
- INSERM UMR 1138 Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Berg
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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20
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Ivanics T, Nelson W, Patel MS, Claasen MPAW, Lau L, Gorgen A, Abreu P, Goldenberg A, Erdman L, Sapisochin G. The Toronto Postliver Transplantation Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence Calculator: A Machine Learning Approach. Liver Transpl 2022; 28:593-602. [PMID: 34626159 DOI: 10.1002/lt.26332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) listing criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain controversial. To optimize the utility of limited donor organs, this study aims to leverage machine learning to develop an accurate posttransplantation HCC recurrence prediction calculator. Patients with HCC listed for LT from 2000 to 2016 were identified, with 739 patients who underwent LT used for modeling. Data included serial imaging, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), locoregional therapies, treatment response, and posttransplantation outcomes. We compared the CoxNet (regularized Cox regression), survival random forest, survival support vector machine, and DeepSurv machine learning algorithms via the mean cross-validated concordance index. We validated the selected CoxNet model by comparing it with other currently available recurrence risk algorithms on a held-out test set (AFP, Model of Recurrence After Liver Transplant [MORAL], and Hazard Associated with liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma [HALT-HCC score]). The developed CoxNet-based recurrence prediction model showed a satisfying overall concordance score of 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.84). In comparison, the recalibrated risk algorithms' concordance scores were as follows: AFP score 0.64 (outperformed by the CoxNet model, 1-sided 95% CI, >0.01; P = 0.04) and MORAL score 0.64 (outperformed by the CoxNet model 1-sided 95% CI, >0.02; P = 0.03). The recalibrated HALT-HCC score performed well with a concordance of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.63-0.81) and was not significantly outperformed (1-sided 95% CI, ≥0.05; P = 0.29). Developing a comprehensive posttransplantation HCC recurrence risk calculator using machine learning is feasible and can yield higher accuracy than other available risk scores. Further research is needed to confirm the utility of machine learning in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy Ivanics
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Division of General Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI.,Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Walter Nelson
- Centre for Data Science and Digital Health, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Madhukar S Patel
- Division of Surgical Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Marco P A W Claasen
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Division of General Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lawrence Lau
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Division of General Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andre Gorgen
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Division of General Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Phillipe Abreu
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Division of General Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anna Goldenberg
- Centre for Computational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lauren Erdman
- Centre for Computational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Center for Computational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gonzalo Sapisochin
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Division of General Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Abdominal Transplant & HPB Surgical Oncology, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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21
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Gundlach JP, Linecker M, Dobbermann H, Wadle F, Becker T, Braun F. Patients Benefit from Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma beyond Milan Criteria without Harming the Health Care System. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051136. [PMID: 35267443 PMCID: PMC8909584 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) is the only definitive treatment to cure hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis. Waiting-list candidates are selected by the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). However, many indications are not sufficiently represented by labMELD. For HCC, patients are selected by Milan-criteria: Milan-in qualifies for standard exception (SE) and better organ access on the waiting list; while Milan-out patients are restricted to labMELD and might benefit from extended criteria donor (ECD)-grafts. We analyzed a cohort of 102 patients (2011−2020). Patients with labMELD (no SE, Milan-out, n = 56) and matchMELD (SE-HCC, Milan-in, n = 46) were compared. The median overall survival was not significantly different (p = 0.759). No difference was found in time on the waiting list (p = 0.881), donor risk index (p = 0.697) or median costs (p = 0.204, EUR 43,500 (EUR 17,800−185,000) for labMELD and EUR 30,300 (EUR 17,200−395,900) for matchMELD). Costs were triggered by a cut-off labMELD of 12 points. Overall, the deficit increased by EUR 580 per labMELD point. Cost drivers were re-operation (p < 0.001), infection with multiresistant germs (p = 0.020), dialysis (p = 0.017), operation time (p = 0.012) and transfusions (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that LT for HCC is successful and cost-effective in low labMELD patients independent of Milan-criteria. Therefore, ECD-grafts are favorized in Milan-out HCC patients with low labMELD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Paul Gundlach
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, UKSH Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (J.-P.G.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (T.B.)
| | - Michael Linecker
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, UKSH Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (J.-P.G.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (T.B.)
| | - Henrike Dobbermann
- Department of Internal Medicine-Hepatology, UKSH Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany;
| | - Felix Wadle
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, UKSH Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (J.-P.G.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (T.B.)
| | - Thomas Becker
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, UKSH Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (J.-P.G.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (T.B.)
| | - Felix Braun
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, UKSH Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (J.-P.G.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (T.B.)
- Correspondence:
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22
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Chu W, Li P, Wu X, Zhang P, Zhou H, Niu B. Risk factors for recurrence beyond Milan criteria after radiofrequency ablation in transplantable small hepatocellular carcinoma. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ENFERMEDADES DIGESTIVAS 2022; 114:580-585. [PMID: 35042367 DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8592/2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to determine the risk factors of recurrence beyond Milan criteria in patients with transplantable early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after the first Radiofrequency ablation (RFA). 95 patients with newly diagnosed transplantable small HCC with single ≤ 3 cm were analyzed retrospectively. During the 39-month median follow-up period, 12 (21.8%) patients with HCC < 2 cm and 22 (56.4%) patients with HCC ≥ 2 cm relapsed beyond Milan criteria (p = 0.001). The 1- and 3-year recurrence rates beyond Milan criteria were 6.3% and 14.7% in HCC < 2 cm group, compared with 24.1% and 55.6% in HCC ≥ 2 cm group(p < 0.0001).HCC ≥ 2 cm, red blood cell distribution width-to-lymphocyte ratio (RLR) ≥ 18.3, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) > 15 ng/ml and early recurrence after RFA were independent predictors of recurrence exceeding Milan criteria. For patients with transplantable early single small HCC whose tumor diameter ≥ 2cm and have higher RLR and AFP levels before first RFA and early recurrence after RFA (recurrence within 2 years), close follow-up and early liver transplantation should be initiated to obtain the best survival benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weike Chu
- School of Graduates, Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Ping Li
- Hepatology, Tianjin City Second People's Hospital, China
| | - Xue Wu
- School of Graduates, Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Graduates, Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- School of Graduates, Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Bin Niu
- School of Graduates, Tianjin Medical University, China
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23
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Role of Pretransplant Treatments for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Waiting for Liver Transplantation. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020396. [PMID: 35053558 PMCID: PMC8773674 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer in men worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer death. Liver transplantation (LT) is one of the treatment options for patients with HCC. Recently, there have been many reports of the usefulness of locoregional therapy, such as transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation, for HCC as pretreatment before LT. In Western countries, locoregional therapy is used to bridge until transplantation to prevent drop-outs from the waiting list or for downstaging to treat patients with advanced HCC who initially exceed the criteria for LT. With the progress of locoregional therapy, new reports on the effects of bridging and downstaging locoregional therapy as pretransplant treatment are increasing in number. Abstract Recently, there have been many reports of the usefulness of locoregional therapy such as transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as pretreatment before liver transplantation (LT). Locoregional therapy is performed with curative intent in Japan, where living donor LT constitutes the majority of LT due to the critical shortage of deceased donors. However, in Western countries, where deceased donor LT is the main procedure, LT is indicated for early-stage HCC regardless of liver functional reserve, and locoregional therapy is used for bridging until transplantation to prevent drop-outs from the waiting list or for downstaging to treat patients with advanced HCC who initially exceed the criteria for LT. There are many reports of the effect of bridging and downstaging locoregional therapy before LT, and its indications and efficacy are becoming clear. Responses to locoregional therapy, such as changes in tumor markers, the avidity of FDG-PET, etc., are considered useful for successful bridging and downstaging. In this review, the effects of bridging and downstaging locoregional therapy as a pretransplant treatment on the results of transplantation are clarified, focusing on recent reports.
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24
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Hu X, Chen R, Wei Q, Xu X. The Landscape Of Alpha Fetoprotein In Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Where Are We? Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18:536-551. [PMID: 35002508 PMCID: PMC8741863 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.64537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and has been acknowledged as a leading cause of death among cirrhosis patients. Difficulties in early diagnosis and heterogeneity are obstacles to effective treatment, especially for advanced HCC. Liver transplantation (LT) is considered the best therapy for HCC. Although many biomarkers are being proposed, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which was identified over 60 years ago, remains the most utilized. Recently, much hope has been placed in the immunogenicity of AFP to develop novel therapies, such as AFP vaccines and AFP-specific adoptive T-cell transfer (ACT). This review summarizes the performance of AFP as a biomarker for HCC diagnosis and prognosis, as well as its correlation with molecular classes. In addition, the role of AFP in LT is also described. Finally, we highlight the mechanism and application prospects of two immune therapies (AFP vaccine and ACT) for HCC. In general, our review points out the prevalence of AFP in HCC, accompanied by some controversies and novel directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Ronggao Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Qiang Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
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Biolato M, Galasso T, Marrone G, Miele L, Grieco A. Upper Limits of Downstaging for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Liver Transplantation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246337. [PMID: 34944957 PMCID: PMC8699392 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Currently, most transplant centres worldwide accept patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent successful downstaging. Concurrently, the effectiveness of radiological and systemic therapies used for the downstaging of hepatocellular carcinoma are increasing. It is now more frequently observed that candidates for liver transplantation have an excellent response to downstaging, even if the baseline stage was well beyond the transplantable tumour. Downstaged patients have a higher risk of dropout from the waiting list and post-transplant recurrence if not transplanted in a short time. Since an increasing number of downstaged patients affects the waitlist dynamics, the definition of upper limits of downstaging is becoming a crucial issue. In this narrative review, we summarise current evidence on the downstaging of hepatocellular carcinoma for liver transplantation, including downstaging of patients with macrovascular invasion or extrahepatic metastasis at presentation and employment of the new systemic treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma. Abstract In Europe and the United States, approximately 1100 and 1800 liver transplantations, respectively, are performed every year for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), compared with an annual incidence of 65,000 and 39,000 new cases, respectively. Because of organ shortages, proper patient selection is crucial, especially for those exceeding the Milan criteria. Downstaging is the reduction of the HCC burden to meet the eligibility criteria for liver transplantation. Many techniques can be used in downstaging, including ablation, chemoembolisation, radioembolisation and systemic treatments, with a reported success rate of 60–70%. In recent years, an increasing number of patient responders to downstaging procedures has been included in the waitlist, generally with a comparable five-year post-transplant survival but with a higher probability of dropout than HCC patients within the Milan criteria. While the Milan criteria are generally accepted as the endpoint of downstaging, the upper limits of tumour burden for downstaging HCC for liver transplantation are controversial. Very challenging situations involve HCC patients with large nodules, macrovascular invasion or even extrahepatic metastasis at baseline who respond to increasingly more effective downstaging procedures and who aspire to be placed on the waitlist for transplantation. This narrative review analyses the most important evidence available on cohorts subjected to “extended” downstaging, including HCC patients over the up-to-seven criteria and over the University of California San Francisco downstaging criteria. We also address surrogate markers of biological aggressiveness, such as alpha-fetoprotein and the response stability to locoregional treatments, which are very useful in selecting responders to downstaging procedures for waitlisting inclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Biolato
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (M.B.); (G.M.); (L.M.)
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Tiziano Galasso
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Marrone
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (M.B.); (G.M.); (L.M.)
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Luca Miele
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (M.B.); (G.M.); (L.M.)
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonio Grieco
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (M.B.); (G.M.); (L.M.)
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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Magro B, Pinelli D, De Giorgio M, Lucà MG, Ghirardi A, Carrobio A, Baronio G, Del Prete L, Nounamo F, Gianatti A, Colledan M, Fagiuoli S. Pre-Transplant Alpha-Fetoprotein > 25.5 and Its Dynamic on Waitlist Are Predictors of HCC Recurrence after Liver Transplantation for Patients Meeting Milan Criteria. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5976. [PMID: 34885087 PMCID: PMC8656660 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence rates after liver transplantation (LT) range between 8 and 20%. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels at transplant can predict HCC recurrence, however a defined cut-off value is needed to better stratify patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of HCC recurrence at our centre and to identify predictors, focusing on AFP. METHODS We retrospectively analysed 236 consecutive patients that were waitlisted for HCC who all met the Milan criteria from January 2001 to December 2017 at our liver transplant centre. A total of twenty-nine patients dropped out while they were waitlisted, and 207 patients were included in the final analysis. All survival analyses included the competing-risk model. RESULTS The mean age was 56.8 ± 6.8 years. A total of 14% were female (n = 29/207). The median MELD (model for end-stage liver disease) at LT was 12 (9-16). The median time on the waitlist was 92 (41-170) days. The HCC recurrence rate was 16.4% (n = 34/208). The mean time to recurrence was 3.3 ± 2.8 years. The median AFP levels at transplant were higher in patients with HCC recurrence (p < 0.001). At multivariate analysis, the AFP value at transplant that was greater than 25.5 ng/mL (AUC 0.69) was a strong predictor of HCC recurrence after LT [sHR 3.3 (1.6-6.81); p = 0.001]. The HCC cumulative incidence function (CIF) of recurrence at 10 years from LT was significantly higher in patients with AFP > 25.5 ng/mL [34.3% vs. 11.5% (p = 0.001)]. Moreover, an increase in AFP > 20.8%, was significantly associated with HCC recurrence (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, in our retrospective study, the AFP level at transplant > 25.5 ng/mL and its increase greater than 20.8% on the waitlist were strong predictors of HCC recurrence after LT in a cohort of patients that were waitlisted within the Milan criteria. However further studies are needed to validate these data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Magro
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Department of Medicine-Papa Giovanni, XXIII Hospital, 24122 Bergamo, Italy; (M.D.G.); (M.G.L.); (S.F.)
| | - Domenico Pinelli
- Unit of Hepato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24122 Bergamo, Italy; (D.P.); (G.B.); (L.D.P.); (F.N.); (M.C.)
| | - Massimo De Giorgio
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Department of Medicine-Papa Giovanni, XXIII Hospital, 24122 Bergamo, Italy; (M.D.G.); (M.G.L.); (S.F.)
| | - Maria Grazia Lucà
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Department of Medicine-Papa Giovanni, XXIII Hospital, 24122 Bergamo, Italy; (M.D.G.); (M.G.L.); (S.F.)
| | - Arianna Ghirardi
- FROM Research Foundation, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, 24122 Bergamo, Italy; (A.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessandra Carrobio
- FROM Research Foundation, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, 24122 Bergamo, Italy; (A.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Baronio
- Unit of Hepato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24122 Bergamo, Italy; (D.P.); (G.B.); (L.D.P.); (F.N.); (M.C.)
| | - Luca Del Prete
- Unit of Hepato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24122 Bergamo, Italy; (D.P.); (G.B.); (L.D.P.); (F.N.); (M.C.)
| | - Franck Nounamo
- Unit of Hepato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24122 Bergamo, Italy; (D.P.); (G.B.); (L.D.P.); (F.N.); (M.C.)
| | - Andrea Gianatti
- Pathology Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24122 Bergamo, Italy;
| | - Michele Colledan
- Unit of Hepato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24122 Bergamo, Italy; (D.P.); (G.B.); (L.D.P.); (F.N.); (M.C.)
| | - Stefano Fagiuoli
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Department of Medicine-Papa Giovanni, XXIII Hospital, 24122 Bergamo, Italy; (M.D.G.); (M.G.L.); (S.F.)
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Crocetti L, Bozzi E, Scalise P, Bargellini I, Lorenzoni G, Ghinolfi D, Campani D, Balzano E, De Simone P, Cioni R. Locoregional Treatments for Bridging and Downstaging HCC to Liver Transplantation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5558. [PMID: 34771720 PMCID: PMC8583584 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) is the first-line treatment for patients diagnosed with unresectable early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the setting of cirrhosis. It is well known that HCC patients within the Milan criteria (solitary tumour ≤ 5 cm or ≤3 tumours, each <3 cm) could undergo LT with excellent results. However, there is a growing tendency to enlarge inclusion criteria since the Milan criteria are nowadays considered too restrictive and may exclude patients who would benefit from LT. On the other hand, there is a persistent shortage of donor organs. In this scenario, there is consensus about the role of loco-regional therapy (LRT) during the waiting list to select patients who would benefit more from LT, reducing the risk of drop off from the waiting list as well as decreasing tumour dimension to meet acceptable criteria for LT. In this review, current evidence on the safety, efficacy and utility of LRTs as neoadjuvant therapies before LT are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Crocetti
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.B.); (P.S.); (I.B.); (G.L.); (R.C.)
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.C.); (P.D.S.)
| | - Elena Bozzi
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.B.); (P.S.); (I.B.); (G.L.); (R.C.)
| | - Paola Scalise
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.B.); (P.S.); (I.B.); (G.L.); (R.C.)
| | - Irene Bargellini
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.B.); (P.S.); (I.B.); (G.L.); (R.C.)
| | - Giulia Lorenzoni
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.B.); (P.S.); (I.B.); (G.L.); (R.C.)
| | - Davide Ghinolfi
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.G.); (E.B.)
| | - Daniela Campani
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.C.); (P.D.S.)
- Division of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Emanuele Balzano
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.G.); (E.B.)
| | - Paolo De Simone
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.C.); (P.D.S.)
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.G.); (E.B.)
| | - Roberto Cioni
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.B.); (P.S.); (I.B.); (G.L.); (R.C.)
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Ferrer-Fàbrega J, Sampson-Dávila J, Forner A, Sapena V, Díaz A, Vilana R, Navasa M, Fondevila C, Miquel R, Ayuso C, García-Valdecasas JC, Bruix J, Reig M, Fuster J. Limited tumour progression beyond Milan criteria while on the waiting list does not result in unacceptable impairment of survival. J Hepatol 2021; 75:1154-1163. [PMID: 34171433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Defining optimum management of patients progressing beyond Milan criteria on the waiting list is a controversial topic. Our aim was to determine whether the policy of allowing a limited progression beyond enlistment criteria permits acceptable post-transplant outcomes in terms of survival and recurrence. METHODS Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma included on the waiting list for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) between January 1989 and December 2016 were analysed. Tumour features were assessed at inclusion on the waiting list, before OLT and at explant pathology. Patients were retained on the waiting list despite exceeding enlistment criteria if not presenting with macrovascular invasion, extrahepatic spread or cancer-related symptoms. RESULTS A total of 495 patients constituted the target population. Comparison between the Milan-in (n = 434) and Milan-out (n = 61) groups showed statistically significant differences in: largest tumour size; BCLC stage; patients treated before OLT; alpha-fetoprotein, and time on the waiting list. Milan-out patients showed a significantly higher number of poorly differentiated nodules, satellitosis and microscopic vascular invasion. The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rate was 89.6%, 82.5%, 75%, and 55.5%, vs. 83.6%, 70.5%, 65.5%, and 53.9% for Milan-in/Milan-out patients, respectively. Recurrence rates at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years were 1.2%, 3.3%, 5.5%, and 10.8% vs. 7.1% 14.5%, 23%, and 23% for Milan-in and Milan-out patients, respectively (p <0.01). CONCLUSION This study shows that although limited tumour progression without reaching major adverse predictors (vascular invasion, extrahepatic spread, cancer symptoms) has an expected impact on recurrence rate, overall survival remains above the minimum proposed benchmark of 65% at 5 years. The clinically relevant increase in tumour recurrence must be considered when analysing the benefit of this approach in the face of limited organ supply. LAY SUMMARY When considering orthotopic liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, optimum results are achieved when transplanting patients within the Milan criteria. However, the most appropriate strategy for patients who progress beyond these criteria while on the waiting list is still unclear. Herein, we show that transplantation is associated with acceptable overall survival in select patients who progress beyond the Milan criteria, although recurrence rates were notably higher. Therefore, the assessment of transplantation viability in these patients must consider the availability of organs and the impact on other patient categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Ferrer-Fàbrega
- Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery and Liver and Pancreatic Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Institute Clínic of Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (ICMDiM), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Clínic Liver Cancer Group (BCLC), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jaime Sampson-Dávila
- Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery and Liver and Pancreatic Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Institute Clínic of Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (ICMDiM), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Forner
- Barcelona Clínic Liver Cancer Group (BCLC), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victor Sapena
- Barcelona Clínic Liver Cancer Group (BCLC), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain; Medical Statistics Core Facility, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Díaz
- Barcelona Clínic Liver Cancer Group (BCLC), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic. University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramón Vilana
- Barcelona Clínic Liver Cancer Group (BCLC), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Radiology, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Navasa
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Constantino Fondevila
- Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery and Liver and Pancreatic Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Institute Clínic of Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (ICMDiM), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa Miquel
- Barcelona Clínic Liver Cancer Group (BCLC), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic. University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Histopathology Laboratory, Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Carmen Ayuso
- Barcelona Clínic Liver Cancer Group (BCLC), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Radiology, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos García-Valdecasas
- Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery and Liver and Pancreatic Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Institute Clínic of Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (ICMDiM), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Bruix
- Barcelona Clínic Liver Cancer Group (BCLC), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Reig
- Barcelona Clínic Liver Cancer Group (BCLC), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Fuster
- Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery and Liver and Pancreatic Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Institute Clínic of Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (ICMDiM), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Clínic Liver Cancer Group (BCLC), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain.
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Bredt LC, Peres LAB. Artificial neural network for prediction of acute kidney injury after liver transplantation for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Artif Intell Cancer 2021; 2:51-59. [DOI: 10.35713/aic.v2.i5.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) has serious consequences on the prognosis of patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) for liver cancer and cirrhosis. Artificial neural network (ANN) has recently been proposed as a useful tool in many fields in the setting of solid organ transplantation and surgical oncology, where patient prognosis depends on a multidimensional and nonlinear relationship between variables pertaining to the surgical procedure, the donor (graft characteristics), and the recipient comorbidities. In the specific case of LT, ANN models have been developed mainly to predict survival in patients with cirrhosis, to assess the best donor-to-recipient match during allocation processes, and to foresee postoperative complications and outcomes. This is a specific opinion review on the role of ANN in the prediction of AKI after LT for liver cancer and cirrhosis, highlighting potential strengths of the method to forecast this serious postoperative complication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Cesar Bredt
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, University Hospital of Western Paraná, State University of Western Paraná, Cascavel 85819-110, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Luis Alberto Batista Peres
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital of Western Paraná, State University of Western Paraná, Cascavel 85819-110, Paraná, Brazil
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Liver Transplantation in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma beyond the Milan Criteria: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10173932. [PMID: 34501381 PMCID: PMC8432180 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10173932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Milan criteria (MC) were developed more than 20 years ago and are still considered the benchmark for liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the strict application of MC might exclude some patients who may receive a clinical benefit of LT. Several expanded criteria have been proposed. Some of these consider pretransplant morphological and biological variables of the tumor, others consider post-LT variables such as the histology of the tumor, and others combine pre- and post-LT variables. More recently, the HCC response to locoregional treatments before transplantation emerged as a surrogate marker of the biological aggressiveness of the tumor to be used as a better selection criterion for LT in patients beyond the MC at presentation. This essential review aims to present the current data on the pretransplant selection criteria for LT in patients with HCC exceeding the MC at presentation based on morphological and histological characteristics of the tumor and to critically discuss those that have been validated in clinical practice. Moreover, the role of HCC biological markers and the tumor response to downstaging procedures as new tools for selecting patients with a tumor burden outside of the MC for LT is evaluated.
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Brusset B, Dumortier J, Cherqui D, Pageaux GP, Boleslawski E, Chapron L, Quesada JL, Radenne S, Samuel D, Navarro F, Dharancy S, Decaens T. Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Real-Life Comparison of Milan Criteria and AFP Model. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102480. [PMID: 34069594 PMCID: PMC8160826 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The α-fetoprotein (AFP) model officially replaced the Milan criteria in France for liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in January 2013. The aim of our retrospective study was to analyze the agreement of the criteria and the results of LT with an intention-to-treat design since the adoption of the AFP model and to compare them to the practice and results of LT before the adoption of the AFP model. We did not observe significant changes in practices in 523 consecutively listed patients, with a good agreement (88%) to AFP criteria on the explants before and after the adoption of the AFP model. However, the prognosis of patients listed in the most recent period was worse, maybe because of a significant increase in bridging treatments and in the waiting time. This observational study provides an insight into the real-life course of LT for HCC. Abstract Purpose: To compare the agreement for the criteria on the explant and the results of liver transplantation (LT) before and after adoption of the AFP (α-fetoprotein) model. Methods: 523 patients consecutively listed in five French centers were reviewed to compare results of the Milan criteria period (MilanCP, n = 199) (before 2013) and the AFP score period (AFPscP, n = 324) (after 2013). (NCT03156582). Results: During AFPscP, there was a significantly longer waiting time on the list (12.3 vs. 7.7 months, p < 0.001) and higher rate of bridging therapies (84 vs. 75%, p = 0.012) compared to the MilanCP. Dropout rate was slightly higher in the AFPscP (31 vs. 24%, p = 0.073). No difference was found in the histological AFP score between groups (p = 0.838) with a global agreement in 88% of patients. Post-LT recurrence was 9.2% in MilanCP vs. 13.2% in AFPscP (p = 0.239) and predictive factors were AFP > 2 on the last imaging, downstaging policy and salvage transplantation. Post-LT survival was similar (83 vs. 87% after 2 years, p = 0.100), but after propensity score analysis, the post-listing overall survival (OS) was worse in the AFPscP (HR 1.45, p = 0.045). Conclusions: Agreement for the AFP model on explant analysis (≤2) did not significantly change. AFP score > 2 was the major prognostic factor for recurrence. Graft allocation policy has a major impact on prognosis, with a post-listing OS significantly decreased, probably due to the increase in waiting time, increase in bridging therapies, downstaging policy and salvage transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bleuenn Brusset
- Faculty of Medicine, University Grenoble-Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France;
- CHU Grenoble-Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France; (L.C.); (J.-L.Q.)
| | - Jerome Dumortier
- Hospices Civiles de Lyon, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, 69003 Lyon, France;
| | - Daniel Cherqui
- Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Centre Hépato-Biliaire, 94800 Villejuif, France; (D.C.); (D.S.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sylvie Radenne
- Hospices Civiles de Lyon, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, 69004 Lyon, France;
| | - Didier Samuel
- Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Centre Hépato-Biliaire, 94800 Villejuif, France; (D.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Francis Navarro
- CHU de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France; (G.-P.P.); (F.N.)
| | | | - Thomas Decaens
- Faculty of Medicine, University Grenoble-Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France;
- CHU Grenoble-Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France; (L.C.); (J.-L.Q.)
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Research Center UGA/Inserm U 1209/CNRS 5309, 38000 Grenoble, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-4-7676-5441
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Yao FY, Fidelman N, Mehta N. The Key Role of Staging Definitions for Assessment of Downstaging for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Semin Liver Dis 2021; 41:117-127. [PMID: 33788207 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1716565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The success of liver transplant (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is dependent on accurate tumor staging using validated imaging criteria, and adherence to acceptable criteria based on tumor size and number. Other factors including α-fetoprotein (AFP) and response to local regional therapy (LRT) have now played a larger role in candidate selection. Tumor downstaging is defined as reduction in the size of viable tumors using LRT to meet acceptable criteria for LT, and serves as a selection tool for a subgroup of HCC with more favorable biology. The application of tumor downstaging requires a structured approach involving three key components in tumor staging-initial tumor stage and eligibility criteria, tumor viability assessment following LRT, and target tumor stage prior to LT-and incorporation of AFP into staging and treatment response assessments. In this review, we provide in-depth discussions of the key role of these staging definitions in ensuring successful outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Y Yao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Nicholas Fidelman
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Neil Mehta
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
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Moeckli B, Majno P, Orci LA, Peloso A, Toso C. Liver Transplantation Selection and Allocation Criteria for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A European Perspective. Semin Liver Dis 2021; 41:172-181. [PMID: 33957694 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1723032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
For patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver transplantation offers the best chance of cure. Over the past two decades, selection criteria to determine eligibility for liver transplantation have been constantly refined but a fair allocation strategy of liver grafts to HCC patients remains challenging. In Europe, over a dozen transplantation networks apply different liver transplantation criteria for HCC patients. In this review, we explore and compare candidate selection and liver graft allocation strategies for patients with HCC with a European perspective and discuss the ethical and technical challenges involved. In addition, we suggest possible paths for future improvement such as transitioning from fixed selection and allocation criteria to a more flexible model of benefit, which includes criteria concerning the graft, response to treatment, the biology of the tumor, and other relevant recipient factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat Moeckli
- Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pietro Majno
- Epatocentro, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Lorenzo A Orci
- Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Peloso
- Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christian Toso
- Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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Renner P, Da Silva T, Schnitzbauer AA, Verloh N, Schlitt HJ, Geissler EK. Hepatocellular carcinoma progression during bridging before liver transplantation. BJS Open 2021; 5:6220251. [PMID: 33839747 PMCID: PMC8038254 DOI: 10.1093/bjsopen/zrab005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recipient selection for liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is based primarily on criteria affecting the chance of long-term success. Here, the relationship between pretransplant bridging therapy and long-term survival was investigated in a subgroup analysis of the SiLVER Study. Methods Response to bridging, as defined by comparison of imaging at the time of listing and post-transplant pathology report, was categorized into controlled versus progressive disease (more than 20 per cent tumour growth or development of new lesions). Results Of 525 patients with HCC who had liver transplantation, 350 recipients underwent pretransplant bridging therapy. Tumour progression despite bridging was an independent risk factor affecting overall survival (hazard ratio 1.80; P = 0.005). For patients within the Milan criteria (MC) at listing, mean overall survival was longer for those with controlled versus progressive disease (6.8 versus 5.8 years; P < 0.001). Importantly, patients with HCCs outside the MC that were downsized to within the MC before liver transplantation had poor outcomes compared with patients who never exceeded the MC (mean overall survival 6.2 versus 6.6 years respectively; P = 0.030). Conclusion Patients with HCCs within the MC that did not show tumour progression under locoregional therapy had the best outcomes after liver transplantation. Downstaging into the limits of the MC did not improve the probability of survival. Prognostic factors determining the long-term success of liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are still under discussion. A subgroup analysis of the SiLVER trial showed that disease control under bridging therapy is strongly associated with improved prognosis in terms of overall survival. However, in tumours exceeding the limits of the Milan criteria, downstaging did not restore the probability of survival compared with that of patients within the Milan criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Renner
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Department of Surgery, Robert-Bosch Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - T Da Silva
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - A A Schnitzbauer
- Department for General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - N Verloh
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - H J Schlitt
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - E K Geissler
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Division of Personalized Tumor Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Medicine and Toxicology, Regensburg, Germany
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Minici R, Ammendola M, Manti F, Siciliano MA, Giglio E, Minici M, Melina M, Currò G, Laganà D. Safety and Efficacy of Degradable Starch Microspheres Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization as a Bridging Therapy in Patients with Early Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Child-Pugh Stage B Eligible for Liver Transplant. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:634084. [PMID: 33897421 PMCID: PMC8062923 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.634084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma, awaiting liver transplantation, current guidelines by AASLD and ESMO recommend a bridging therapy with a loco-regional treatment to prevent progression outside transplantation criteria. The standard of care in delaying disease progression has been recognized to be the transarterial chemoembolization. Permanent occlusion of tumor feeding vessels has effects on tumour stromal microenvironment by inducing intra- and intercellular signaling processes counteracting hypoxia, such as the release of vascular endothelial growth factor, a promoter of neoangiogenesis, tumour proliferation and metastatic growth. Among chemoembolization interventions, TACE with degradable starch microspheres represents an alternative to conventional cTACE and DEB-TACE and it minimizes detrimental effects on tumour stromal microenvironment, guaranteeing a transient occlusion of tumour feeding arteries and avoiding VEGF overexpression.Between January 2015 and September 2020, 54 consecutive patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma and Child-Pugh stage B, who had undergone DSM-TACE as a bridging therapy while awaiting liver transplantation, were eligible for the study. A total of 154 DSM-TACE was performed, with a mean number of 2.85 procedures per patient. 18 patients (33.3%) succeeded in achieving liver transplantation, with a mean waiting time-to-transplantation of 11.7 months. The cumulative rates of patients still active on the WL at 6 months were about 91 and 93% when considering overall drop-out and tumour-specific drop-out respectively. Overall survival was about 96% at 6 months and 92% at 12 months. 17 patients experienced adverse events after the chemoembolizations. For patients with HCC in the transplant waiting list and within the Child-Pugh B stage, life expectancy may be dominated by the liver dysfunction, rather than by the tumour progression itself. In this population subset, the choice of LRT is critical because LRT itself could become a dangerous tool that is likely to precipitate liver dysfunction to an extent that survival is shortened rather than prolonged. Hence, the current study demonstrates that DSM-TACE is not far from being an ideal LRT, because it has an excellent safety profile, maintaining an efficacy that guarantees a clear advantage on the dropout rate with respect to the non-operative strategy, thus justifying its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Minici
- Radiology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Michele Ammendola
- Digestive Surgery Unit, Science of Health Department, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Manti
- Radiology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Anna Siciliano
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Enrica Giglio
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital-Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Minici
- National Research Council (Cnr), Institute for High Performance Computing and Networking (ICAR), Rende, Italy
| | - Marica Melina
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Sant'Orsola Malpighi Hospital, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Currò
- General Surgery Unit, Science of Health Department, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Domenico Laganà
- Radiology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
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Mehta N, Dodge JL, Roberts JP, Yao FY. A novel waitlist dropout score for hepatocellular carcinoma - identifying a threshold that predicts worse post-transplant survival. J Hepatol 2021; 74:829-837. [PMID: 33188904 PMCID: PMC7979440 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS It has been suggested that patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at high risk of wait-list dropout would have done poorly after liver transplantation (LT) because of tumour aggressiveness. To test this hypothesis, we analysed risk of wait-list dropout among patients with HCC in long-wait regions (LWRs) to create a dropout risk score, and applied this score in short (SWRs) and mid-wait regions (MWRs) to evaluate post-LT outcomes. We sought to identify a threshold in dropout risk that predicts worse post-LT outcome. METHODS Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database, including all patients with T2 HCC receiving priority listing from 2010 to 2014, a dropout risk score was created from a developmental cohort of 2,092 patients in LWRs, and tested in a validation cohort of 1,735 patients in SWRs and 2,894 patients in MWRs. RESULTS On multivariable analysis, 1 tumour (3.1-5 cm) or 2-3 tumours, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) >20 ng/ml, and increasing Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease-sodium scores significantly predicted wait-list dropout. A dropout risk score using these 4 variables (C-statistic 0.74) was able to stratify 1-year cumulative incidence of dropout from 7.1% with a score ≤7 to 39.5% with a score >23. Patients with a dropout risk score >30 had 5-year post-LT survival of 60.1% vs. 71.8% for those with a score ≤30 (p = 0.004). There were no significant differences in post-LT survival below this threshold. CONCLUSIONS This study provided evidence that patients with HCC with the highest dropout risk have aggressive tumour biology that would also result in poor post-LT outcomes when transplanted quickly. Below this threshold risk score of ≤30, priority status for organ allocation could be stratified based on the predicted risks of wait-list dropout without significant differences in post-LT survival. LAY SUMMARY Prioritising patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for liver transplant based on risk of wait-list dropout has been considered but may lead to inferior post-transplant survival. In this study of nearly 7,000 patients, we created a threshold dropout risk score based on tumour and liver-related factors beyond which patients with hepatocellular carcinoma will likely have poor post-liver transplant outcomes (60% at 5 years). For patients below this risk score threshold, priority status could be stratified based on the predicted risk of wait-list dropout without compromising post-transplant survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Mehta
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Jennifer L Dodge
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John P Roberts
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Francis Y Yao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Kuroda H, Nagasawa T, Fujiwara Y, Sato H, Abe T, Kooka Y, Endo K, Oikawa T, Sawara K, Takikawa Y. Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Microwave Ablation Using Thermosphere TM Technology versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061295. [PMID: 33803926 PMCID: PMC7998443 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Microwave ablation using ThermosphereTM technology is a novel locoregional treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. This study compared the safety and efficacy outcomes of this microwave ablation strategy versus radiofrequency ablation using propensity score-matched analysis. Microwave ablation led to a high rate of curative ablation (94.7%) and a low rate of local recurrence (3.3%), with an overall survival rate of 99.3% at 1 year (recurrence-free survival: 81.1%) and 88.4% at 2 years (recurrence-free survival: 60.5%). There were no significant differences in survival outcomes after microwave and radiofrequency ablation. However, microwave ablation required significantly fewer insertions (1.22 ± 0.49 vs. 1.59 ± 0.94; p < 0.0001). Based on the similar survival outcomes, we recommend microwave ablation using ThermosphereTM technology for hepatocellular carcinoma with a diameter of >2 cm because of the lower number of insertions. Abstract There is limited information regarding the oncological benefits of microwave ablation using ThermosphereTM technology for hepatocellular carcinoma. This study compared the overall survival and recurrence-free survival outcomes among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after microwave ablation using ThermosphereTM technology and after radiofrequency ablation. Between December 2017 and August 2020, 410 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (a single lesion that was ≤5 cm or ≤3 lesions that were ≤3 cm) underwent ablation at our institution. Propensity score matching identified 150 matched pairs of patients with well-balanced characteristics. The microwave ablation and radiofrequency ablation groups had similar overall survival rates at 1 year (99.3% vs. 98.2%) and at 2 years (88.4% vs. 87.5%) (p = 0.728), as well as similar recurrence-free survival rates at 1 year (81.1% vs. 76.2%) and at 2 years (60.5% vs. 62.1%) (p = 0.492). However, the microwave ablation group had a significantly lower mean number of total insertions (1.22 ± 0.49 vs. 1.59 ± 0.94; p < 0.0001). This retrospective study revealed no significant differences in the overall survival and recurrence-free survival outcomes after microwave ablation or radiofrequency ablation. However, we recommend microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma tumors with a diameter of >2 cm based on the lower number of insertions.
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Gundlach JP, Schmidt S, Bernsmeier A, Günther R, Kataev V, Trentmann J, Schäfer JP, Röcken C, Becker T, Braun F. Indication of Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Should Be Reconsidered in Case of Microvascular Invasion and Multilocular Tumor Occurrence. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10061155. [PMID: 33801887 PMCID: PMC7998779 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10061155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) is routinely performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis without major vascular invasion. Although the adverse influence of microvascular invasion is recognized, its occurrence does not contraindicate LT. We retrospectively analyzed in our LT cohort the significance of microvascular invasion on survival and demonstrate bridging procedures. At our hospital, 346 patients were diagnosed with HCC, 171 patients were evaluated for LT, and 153 were listed at Eurotransplant during a period of 11 years. Among these, 112 patients received LT and were included in this study. Overall survival after 1, 3 and 5 years was 86.3%, 73.9%, and 67.9%, respectively. Microvascular invasion led to significantly reduced overall (p = 0.030) and disease-free survival (p = 0.002). Five-year disease-free survival with microvascular invasion was 10.5%. Multilocular tumor occurrence with simultaneous microvascular invasion revealed the worst prognosis. In our LT cohort, predominant bridging treatment was transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and the number of TACE significantly correlated with poorer overall survival after LT (p = 0.028), which was confirmed in multiple Cox regression analysis for overall and disease-free survival (p = 0.015 and p = 0.011). Microvascular tumor invasion is significantly associated with reduced prognosis after LT, which is aggravated by simultaneous occurrence of multiple lesions. Therefore, indication strategies for LT should be reconsidered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Paul Gundlach
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, Campus Kiel, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (S.S.); (A.B.); (T.B.); (F.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-431-500-33421
| | - Stephan Schmidt
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, Campus Kiel, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (S.S.); (A.B.); (T.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Alexander Bernsmeier
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, Campus Kiel, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (S.S.); (A.B.); (T.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Rainer Günther
- Department of Internal Medicine I, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (R.G.); (V.K.)
| | - Victor Kataev
- Department of Internal Medicine I, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (R.G.); (V.K.)
| | - Jens Trentmann
- Institute of Radiology and Neuroradiology, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (J.T.); (J.P.S.)
| | - Jost Philipp Schäfer
- Institute of Radiology and Neuroradiology, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (J.T.); (J.P.S.)
| | - Christoph Röcken
- Department of Pathology, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Thomas Becker
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, Campus Kiel, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (S.S.); (A.B.); (T.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Felix Braun
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, Campus Kiel, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (S.S.); (A.B.); (T.B.); (F.B.)
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Sapisochin G, Hibi T, Toso C, Man K, Berenguer M, Heimbach J, Greten TF, Pugh TJ, Dawson LA, Mazzaferro V. Transplant Oncology in Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors: Principles, Evidence, and Opportunities. Ann Surg 2021; 273:483-493. [PMID: 33065633 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000004071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Transplant oncology defines any application of transplant medicine and surgery aimed at improving cancer patients' survival and/or quality of life. In practice, liver transplantation for selected hepato-biliary cancers is the only solid organ transplant with demonstrated efficacy in curing cancer. Four are the proposed future contributions of transplant oncology in hepato-biliary cancer (4-e). (1) evolutionary approach to cancer care that includes liver transplantation; (2) elucidation of self and non-self recognition systems, by linking tumor and transplant immunology; (3) exploration of innovative endpoints both in clinical and experimental settings taking advantage from the access to the entire liver explant; (4) extension of surgical limitation in the multidisciplinary approach to hepato-biliary oncology. The aim of this review is to define the principles of transplant oncology that may be applied to hepato-biliary cancer treatment and research, attempting to balance current evidences with future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Sapisochin
- Multi-Organ Transplant and HPB Surgical Oncology, Division of General Surgery, University Health Network, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Taizo Hibi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Transplantation, Kumamoto University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Christian Toso
- Division of Abdominal Surgery and Hepato-pancreato-biliary Center, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kwan Man
- Department of Surgery, HKU-SZH and LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Marina Berenguer
- Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Unit, Ciberehd, IISLaFe and Facultad de Medicina, La Fe University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - Julie Heimbach
- Department of Surgery Liver Transplant Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Tim F Greten
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy Section, Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research and NCI-CCR Liver Cancer Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Trevor J Pugh
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura A Dawson
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Mazzaferro
- HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy and Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Fondazione IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Schoenberg MB, Ehmer U, Umgelter A, Bucher JN, Koch DT, Börner N, Nieß H, Denk G, De Toni EN, Seidensticker M, Andrassy J, Angele MK, Werner J, Guba MO. Liver transplantation versus watchful waiting in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with complete response to bridging therapy - a retrospective observational study. Transpl Int 2021; 34:465-473. [PMID: 33368655 DOI: 10.1111/tri.13808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bridging therapy to prevent progression on the waiting list can result in a sustained complete response (sCR). In some patients, the liver transplantation (LT) risk might exceed those of tumor recurrence. We thus evaluated whether a watchful waiting (CR-WW) strategy could be a feasible alternative to transplantation (CR-LT). We performed a retrospective analysis of overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with a sCR (CR > 6 months). Permitted bridging included thermoablation, resection, and combinations of either with transarterial chemoembolization. Patients were divided into the intended treatment strategies CR-WW and CR-LT. 39 (18.40%) sCR patients from 212 were investigated. 22 patients were treated with a CR-LT and 17 patients a CR-WW strategy. Five-year RFS was lower in the CR-WW than in the CR-LT group [53.3% (22.1%; 77.0%) and 84.0% (57.6%; 94.7%)]. 29.4% (5/17) CR-WW patients received salvage transplantation because of recurrence. OS (5-year) was 83.9% [56.8%; 94.7%] after LT and 75.4% [39.8%; 91.7%] after WW. Our analysis shows that the intuitive decision made by our patients in agreement with their treating physicians for a watchful waiting strategy in sCR can be justified. Applied on a larger scale, this strategy could help to reduce the pressure on the donor pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Bo Schoenberg
- Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Ursula Ehmer
- Medical Department II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Umgelter
- Medical Department II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Emergency Room, Vivantes Humboldt Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julian Nikolaus Bucher
- Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Dominik Thomas Koch
- Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Börner
- Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Hanno Nieß
- Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerald Denk
- Department of Medicine II, LMU Munich, University Hospital, Munich, Germany.,Transplantation Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Max Seidensticker
- Department of Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Joachim Andrassy
- Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Kurt Angele
- Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Jens Werner
- Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Otto Guba
- Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,Transplantation Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
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Experience With LDLT in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis Postdownstaging. Transplantation 2021; 104:2334-2345. [PMID: 32032291 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Median survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is 2-6 months; conventionally liver transplantation is contraindicated. METHODS We studied outcomes following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) post-PVTT downstaging (DS) with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), and tumor ablation (with transarterial chemo- or radio-embolization). RESULTS Of 2348 consecutive LDLTs, 451 were for HCC, including 25 with PVTT (mainly Vp1-3) after successful DS and 20 with Vp1/2 PVTT without previous treatment. DS was attempted in 43, was successful in 27 (63%), and 25 underwent LDLT. Median alpha fetoprotein (AFP) at diagnosis and pre-LDLT were 78.1 ng/mL (3-58 200) and 55 ng/mL (2-7320), respectively. Mean DS to LDLT time was 10.2 weeks (5-16). Excluding 2 postoperative deaths, 1- and 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were 82%, 57%, and 77%, 51%, respectively, comparable to survival in 382 HCC patients without PVTT undergoing upfront LDLT (5-y OS 65%, P = 0.06; RFS 66%, P = 0.33, respectively). There was a trend toward better OS in DS+LDLT versus non-DS LDLT group (5-y OS/RFS-48%/40%). OS was significantly better than in HCC-PVTT patients receiving no intervention or palliative Sorafenib alone (1-y OS of 0%) or Sorafenib with TARE/SBRT (2-y OS of 17%) at our center during the study period. Initial AFP <400 ng/mL and AFP fall (initial minus pre-LDLT) >2000 ng/mL predicted better RFS; Grade III/IV predicted worse OS in DS patients. CONCLUSIONS HCC patients with PVTT can achieve acceptable survival with LDLT after successful DS. Low initial AFP level, a significant drop in AFP with DS and low tumor grade, favorably influence survival in these patients.
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Impact of liver-directed therapy and non-therapy on the waiting time list of patient candidates for liver transplantation: retrospective survival analysis. Clin Exp Hepatol 2021; 6:304-312. [PMID: 33511277 PMCID: PMC7816629 DOI: 10.5114/ceh.2020.102175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim of the study To determine whether liver-directed therapies (LDT) and no therapy affect waiting list times for liver transplant candidates from a single center. Material and methods This retrospective study included patients > 12 years of age diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma between January 2014 and June 2019 and followed until the date of transplant, date of delisting, loss to follow-up, or date of death. Waiting list time and associated factors were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazards methods. Results A total of 181 patients met the selection criteria. The mean age was 60 years with standard deviation (SD) of 7.8 years. Sixty-six percent underwent transplant, and 64% were classified within the Milan criteria. Men had a lower median waiting list time than women (191 days vs. 236 days, p = 0.0093). The overall median survival time or time to transplant for 50% of the population was 218 days (95% CI: 195-235). Men displayed a 3.1-fold (95% CI: 1.5-6.2) higher probability of transplantation than women (p = 0.002). Patients who received no therapy had a 5-fold higher probability of undergoing transplantation than patients under arterial LDT (HR [95% CI]: 5 [1.2, 20], p = 0.02). Patients under combined LDT displayed a 70% reduced probability of transplantation compared to patients who received arterial LDTs (p = 0.0009). Conclusions LDT was associated with a prolonged stay on the transplant list, likely due to the presence of an aggressive liver tumor. However, LDTs allow the patient to remain active on the liver transplant list, increasing their chances of undergoing transplantation.
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Critical review of HCC imaging in the multidisciplinary setting: treatment allocation and evaluation of response. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2020; 45:3119-3128. [PMID: 32173774 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-020-02470-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Imaging has not only an established role in screening and diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic liver inflammatory diseases, but also a crucial importance for patient stratification and treatment allocation, as well as for assessing treatment response. In the setting of increasing therapeutic options for HCC, the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system still remains the most appropriate way to select candidate cohorts for best treatments. This classification takes into account the imaging information on tumor burden and extension, liver function, and cancer-related symptoms, stratifying patients in five risk categories (Stages 0, A, B, C and D) associated with different treatment options. Still now, there are no clear roles for biomarkers use in treatment allocation. The increasing use of locoregional non-surgical therapies in the different stages is highly dependent on reliable evaluation of treatment response, in particular when they are used with curative intention or for downstaging at liver transplantation re-assessment. Moreover, objective response (OR) has emerged as an important imaging biomarker, providing information on tumor biology, which can contribute for further prognostic assessment. Current guidelines for OR assessment recommend only the measurement of viable tumor according to mRECIST criteria, with further classification into complete response, partial response, stable disease or progressive disease. Either computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can be used for this purpose, and the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) committee has recently provided some guidance for reporting after locoregional therapies. Nevertheless, imaging pitfalls resulting from treatment-related changes can impact with the correct evaluation of treatment response, especially after transarterial radioembolization (TARE). Volume criteria and emerging imaging techniques might also contribute for a better refinement in the assessment of treatment response and monitoring. As the role of imaging deeply expands in the multidisciplinary assessment of HCC, our main objective in this review is to discuss state-of-the-art decision-making aspects for treatment allocation and provide guidance for treatment response evaluation.
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Gitto S, Di Sandro S, Magistri P, Andreone P, Di Benedetto F. Hepatocellular carcinoma and liver transplant: beyond the Milan criteria and the risk of "short-blanket" syndrome. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2020; 9:518-521. [PMID: 32832508 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn.2019.11.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Gitto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Sandro
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, AOU di Modena and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Paolo Magistri
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, AOU di Modena and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Pietro Andreone
- Internal and Metabolic Medicine, AOU di Modena and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Di Benedetto
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, AOU di Modena and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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45
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46
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Pommergaard HC, Rostved AA, Adam R, Rasmussen A, Salizzoni M, Bravo MAG, Cherqui D, De Simone P, Houssel-Debry P, Mazzaferro V, Soubrane O, García-Valdecasas JC, Prous JF, Pinna AD, O'Grady J, Karam V, Duvoux C, Thygesen LC. Mortality after Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Study from the European Liver Transplant Registry. Liver Cancer 2020; 9:455-467. [PMID: 32999871 PMCID: PMC7506266 DOI: 10.1159/000507397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Prognosis after liver transplantation differs between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arising in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic livers and aetiology is poorly understood. The aim was to investigate differences in mortality after liver transplantation between these patients. METHODS We included patients from the European Liver Transplant Registry transplanted due to HCC from 1990 to November 2016 and compared cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients using propensity score (PS) calibration of Cox regression estimates to adjust for unmeasured confounding. RESULTS We included 22,787 patients, of whom 96.5% had cirrhosis. In the unadjusted analysis, non-cirrhotic patients had an increased risk of overall mortality with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-1.52). However, the HR approached unity with increasing adjustment and was 1.11 (95% CI 0.99-1.25) when adjusted for unmeasured confounding. Unadjusted, non-cirrhotic patients had an increased risk of HCC-specific mortality (HR 2.62, 95% CI 2.21-3.12). After adjustment for unmeasured confounding, the risk remained significantly increased (HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.31-2.00). CONCLUSIONS Using PS calibration, we showed that HCC in non-cirrhotic liver has similar overall mortality, but higher HCC-specific mortality. This may be a result of a more aggressive cancer form in the non-cirrhotic liver as higher mortality could not be explained by tumour characteristics or other prognostic variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Christian Pommergaard
- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology and Transplantation, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark,*Hans-Christian Pommergaard, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology and Transplantation, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK–2100 Copenhagen (Denmark),
| | - Andreas Arendtsen Rostved
- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology and Transplantation, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - René Adam
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Cancer, and Transplantation, AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Paul Brousse, Inserm U935, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - Allan Rasmussen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Cancer, and Transplantation, AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Paul Brousse, Inserm U935, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - Mauro Salizzoni
- Liver Transplant Centre and General Surgery, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Molinette Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Daniel Cherqui
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Cancer, and Transplantation, AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Paul Brousse, Inserm U935, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - Paolo De Simone
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Pauline Houssel-Debry
- Service de Chirurgie Hépatobiliaire et Digestive, Hôpital Pontchaillou, Centre Hospitalier Université de Rennes 1, and INSERM, UMR991, Foie, Métabolisme et Cancer, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Vincenzo Mazzaferro
- University of Milan and Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Fondazione IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Olivier Soubrane
- Department of HPB Surgery and Liver Transplant, Beaujon Hospital, Clichy, University Denis Diderot, Paris, France
| | | | - Joan Fabregat Prous
- Unitat de Cirurgia Hepato-bilio-pancreàtica, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio D. Pinna
- General Surgery and Transplant Division, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - John O'Grady
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent Karam
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Cancer, and Transplantation, AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Paul Brousse, Inserm U935, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - Christophe Duvoux
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit, Henri Mondor Hospital, Paris Est University, Créteil, France
| | - Lau Caspar Thygesen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Cucchetti A, Serenari M, Sposito C, Di Sandro S, Mosconi C, Vicentin I, Garanzini E, Mazzaferro V, De Carlis L, Golfieri R, Spreafico C, Vanzulli A, Buscemi V, Ravaioli M, Ercolani G, Pinna AD, Cescon M. Including mRECIST in the Metroticket 2.0 criteria improves prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma-related death after liver transplant. J Hepatol 2020; 73:342-348. [PMID: 32201284 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In the context of liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), prediction models are used to ensure that the risk of post-LT recurrence is acceptably low. However, the weighting that 'response to neoadjuvant therapies' should have in such models remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to incorporate radiological response into the Metroticket 2.0 model for post-LT prediction of "HCC-related death", to improve its clinical utility. METHODS Data from 859 transplanted patients (2000-2015) who received neoadjuvant therapies were included. The last radiological assessment before LT was reviewed according to the modified RECIST criteria. Competing-risk analysis was applied. The added value of including radiological response into the Metroticket 2.0 was explored through category-based net reclassification improvement (NRI) analysis. RESULTS At last radiological assessment prior to LT, complete response (CR) was diagnosed in 41.3%, partial response/stable disease (PR/SD) in 24.9% and progressive disease (PD) in 33.8% of patients. The 5-year rates of "HCC-related death" were 3.1%, 9.6% and 13.4% in those with CR, PR/SD, or PD, respectively (p <0.001). Log10AFP (p <0.001) and the sum of number and diameter of the tumour/s (p <0.05) were determinants of "HCC-related death" for PR/SD and PD patients. To maintain the post-LT 5-year incidence of "HCC-related death" <30%, the Metroticket 2.0 criteria were restricted in some cases of PR/SD and in all cases with PD, correctly reclassifying 9.4% of patients with "HCC-related death", at the expense of 3.5% of patients who did not have the event. The overall/net NRI was 5.8. CONCLUSION Incorporating the modified RECIST criteria into the Metroticket 2.0 framework can improve its predictive ability. The additional information provided can be used to better judge the suitability of candidates for LT following neoadjuvant therapies. LAY SUMMARY In the context of liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, prediction models are used to ensure that the risk of recurrence after transplantation is acceptably low. The Metroticket 2.0 model has been proposed as an accurate predictor of "tumour-related death" after liver transplantation. In the present study, we show that its accuracy can be improved by incorporating information relating to the radiological responses of patients to neoadjuvant therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cucchetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Morgagni - Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, Italy.
| | - Matteo Serenari
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; S.Orsola - Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Sposito
- General Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy; Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Sandro
- General Surgery and Abdominal Transplantation Unit, ASST Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Vicentin
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, ASST Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Garanzini
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mazzaferro
- General Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy; Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luciano De Carlis
- General Surgery and Abdominal Transplantation Unit, ASST Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
| | - Rita Golfieri
- S.Orsola - Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy; Department of Specialized, Diagnostic and Experimental Medicine - DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Spreafico
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Vanzulli
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, ASST Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Buscemi
- General Surgery and Abdominal Transplantation Unit, ASST Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Ravaioli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; S.Orsola - Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgio Ercolani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Morgagni - Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, Italy
| | - Antonio Daniele Pinna
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; S.Orsola - Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Cescon
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; S.Orsola - Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
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McVey JC, Sasaki K, Firl DJ. Risk assessment criteria in liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: proposal to improve transplant oncology. Hepat Oncol 2020; 7:HEP26. [PMID: 32774836 PMCID: PMC7399580 DOI: 10.2217/hep-2020-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma has proved to be a highly effective cure if the right patient can be selected. Milan criteria has traditionally guided physicians toward appropriate liver allocation but changes in clinical practice, patient populations and recent developments in biomarkers are decreasing Milan criteria’s utility. At the same time, the literature has flooded with a diversity of new criteria that demonstrate strong predictive power and are better suited for current clinical practice. In this article, the utility of newly proposed criteria will be reviewed and important issues to improve future criteria will be addressed in hopes of opening a discussion on how key questions surrounding criteria for liver transplantation of hepatocellular carcinoma can be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C McVey
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA.,Gastrointestinal & Thoracic Malignancy Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kazunari Sasaki
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
| | - Daniel J Firl
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27705, USA
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49
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Halazun KJ, Sapisochin G, von Ahrens D, Agopian VG, Tabrizian P. Predictors of outcome after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond Milan criteria. Int J Surg 2020; 82S:61-69. [PMID: 32707331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The Milan criteria have been the cornerstone of selection policies for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) awaiting liver transplantation (LT) globally for over two decades. Many groups have proposed the transplantation of patients with larger and more numerous tumors achieving comparable results. Many of these use radiologic morphometric criteria as surrogates for explant pathology to predict outcomes. Several other indices have been developed both within and beyond Milan incorporating biological indices as well as dynamic markers of response to pre-transplant locoregional treatments and waiting time. These have allowed for successful expansion of transplant selection criteria without compromising outcomes with limited organ supplies. In this review we will discuss the predictors of outcome in patients beyond Milan criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Halazun
- Division of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th, F-763, New York, NY, 10065, USA; Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, Columbia University Medical Center, NY Presbyterian Hospital, 622 West 168th St, PH14-101, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - G Sapisochin
- Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, Columbia University Medical Center, NY Presbyterian Hospital, 622 West 168th St, PH14-101, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Multi-Organ Transplant, Division of General Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, 585 University Avenue Toronto, ON, M5G 2N2, Canada.
| | - D von Ahrens
- Division of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th, F-763, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - V G Agopian
- Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - P Tabrizian
- Department of Transplantation, Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute, 5 East 98th St. Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, 10029, USA.
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50
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Mazzaferro V, Citterio D, Bhoori S, Bongini M, Miceli R, De Carlis L, Colledan M, Salizzoni M, Romagnoli R, Antonelli B, Vivarelli M, Tisone G, Rossi M, Gruttadauria S, Di Sandro S, De Carlis R, Lucà MG, De Giorgio M, Mirabella S, Belli L, Fagiuoli S, Martini S, Iavarone M, Svegliati Baroni G, Angelico M, Ginanni Corradini S, Volpes R, Mariani L, Regalia E, Flores M, Droz Dit Busset M, Sposito C. Liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma after tumour downstaging (XXL): a randomised, controlled, phase 2b/3 trial. Lancet Oncol 2020; 21:947-956. [PMID: 32615109 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(20)30224-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Mazzaferro
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Davide Citterio
- HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sherrie Bhoori
- HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Bongini
- HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosalba Miceli
- Clinical Epidemiology and Trial Organization, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luciano De Carlis
- General Surgery and Abdominal Transplantation Unit, Hepatology, University of Milano-Bicocca andNiguarda-CàGranda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Colledan
- Department of Organ Failure and Transplantation, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Mauro Salizzoni
- General Surgery 2U and Liver Transplantation Center, University of Turin, AOU Cittàdella Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Renato Romagnoli
- General Surgery 2U and Liver Transplantation Center, University of Turin, AOU Cittàdella Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Antonelli
- General and Liver Transplant Surgery Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Vivarelli
- Hepatobiliary and Abdominal Transplantation Surgery, Hepatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tisone
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Medical Sciences University of Rome-Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Rossi
- Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gruttadauria
- Abdominal Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, ISMETT, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Sandro
- General Surgery and Abdominal Transplantation Unit, Hepatology, University of Milano-Bicocca andNiguarda-CàGranda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo De Carlis
- General Surgery and Abdominal Transplantation Unit, Hepatology, University of Milano-Bicocca andNiguarda-CàGranda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Lucà
- Department of Organ Failure and Transplantation, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Massimo De Giorgio
- Department of Organ Failure and Transplantation, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Stefano Mirabella
- General Surgery 2U and Liver Transplantation Center, University of Turin, AOU Cittàdella Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Belli
- General Surgery and Abdominal Transplantation Unit, Hepatology, University of Milano-Bicocca andNiguarda-CàGranda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Fagiuoli
- Department of Organ Failure and Transplantation, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Silvia Martini
- General Surgery 2U and Liver Transplantation Center, University of Turin, AOU Cittàdella Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimo Iavarone
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, CRC A M and A Migliavacca Center for Liver Disease, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Svegliati Baroni
- Hepatobiliary and Abdominal Transplantation Surgery, Hepatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Mario Angelico
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Medical Sciences University of Rome-Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Volpes
- Abdominal Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, ISMETT, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luigi Mariani
- Clinical Epidemiology and Trial Organization, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Regalia
- HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Flores
- HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Droz Dit Busset
- HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Sposito
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
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