Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma: from genesis to molecular pathways and therapeutic strategies

Liver transplantation for combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma: Current evidence, selection criteria, and therapeutic controversies

Combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) is a rare and aggressive primary liver malignancy characterized by features of both HCC and CCA. Preoperative diagnosis remains challenging because of overlapping imaging and histopathological features, which often lead to misclassification. Although liver resection is the primary curative therapy, the efficacy of liver transplantation (LT) remains controversial. Historically, LT has been considered contraindicated owing to the poor prognosis, high recurrence rate of cHCC-CCA, and the potential for organ wastage. Recent studies have suggested that LT may benefit carefully selected patients, particularly those with early-stage tumors or cirrhosis. However, there is no consensus on the criteria for LT in patients with cHCC-CCA. Lymphadenectomy and vascular resection strategies were discussed along with locoregional and systemic therapies. This review synthesized the current evidence on surgical strategies for cHCC-CCA, focusing on evolving LT criteria and outcomes.

Cholangioblastic Cholangiocarcinoma ( NIPBL :: NACC1 Cholangiocarcinoma) : Expanded Morphologic Spectrum and Further Genetic Characterization

The cholangioblastic variant of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a distinctive neoplasm that typically affects young women without underlying liver disease. Morphologically, it demonstrates solid, trabecular, and tubulocystic architecture, biphasic small cell-large cell cytology, and immunoreactivity for inhibin, neuroendocrine markers, and biliary but not hepatocellular markers. In 2021, our group identified a characteristic NIPBL::NACC1 gene fusion in cholangioblastic cholangiocarcinoma, and since then ~20 genetically confirmed cases have been reported in the literature. We report 2 additional cases, both of which caused diagnostic challenges. The first was previously published as a "biliary adenofibroma with malignant features" which we now show recurred as a high-grade adenocarcinoma. Re-review of the original lesion demonstrated the morphologic and immunohistochemical features of highly cystic cholangioblastic cholangiocarcinoma, whereas the high-grade recurrence lacked many of these features. In addition to the characteristic NIPBL::NACC1 gene fusion, the recurrence demonstrated loss of the RB1 and PTEN genes which were found in the highly cystic, bland areas of the original tumor, suggesting that the recurrence was derived from this bland component. The second case was originally misclassified as metastatic well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasm and only focally demonstrated the characteristic biphasic small cell-large cell cytology. In addition, a review of 7 cholangioblastic cholangiocarcinomas in our files demonstrates that loss of chromosome 13q14.2 (where the RB1 gene resides) and loss of chromosome 6q15-q16.3 are recurrent secondary changes in these neoplasms. Expression profiling demonstrated alterations in the transforming growth factor receptor beta superfamily, and overexpression of MYC which was validated by immunohistochemistry. Our findings expand the morphologic and genetic spectrum of this neoplasm and provide insight into secondary genetic changes associated with progression.

HTRecNet: a deep learning study for efficient and accurate diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) represent the primary liver cancer types. Traditional diagnostic techniques, reliant on radiologist interpretation, are both time-intensive and often inadequate for detecting the less prevalent CCA. There is an emergent need to explore automated diagnostic methods using deep learning to address these challenges.

Methods

This study introduces HTRecNet, a novel deep learning framework for enhanced diagnostic precision and efficiency. The model incorporates sophisticated data augmentation strategies to optimize feature extraction, ensuring robust performance even with constrained sample sizes. A comprehensive dataset of 5,432 histopathological images was divided into 5,096 for training and validation, and 336 for external testing. Evaluation was conducted using five-fold cross-validation and external validation, applying metrics such as accuracy, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) against established clinical benchmarks.

Results

The training and validation cohorts comprised 1,536 images of normal liver tissue, 3,380 of HCC, and 180 of CCA. HTRecNet showed exceptional efficacy, consistently achieving AUC values over 0.99 across all categories. In external testing, the model reached an accuracy of 0.97 and an MCC of 0.95, affirming its reliability in distinguishing between normal, HCC, and CCA tissues.

Conclusion

HTRecNet markedly enhances the capability for early and accurate differentiation of HCC and CCA from normal liver tissues. Its high diagnostic accuracy and efficiency position it as an invaluable tool in clinical settings, potentially transforming liver cancer diagnostic protocols. This system offers substantial support for refining diagnostic workflows in healthcare environments focused on liver malignancies.

Synchronous Hepatocellular and Intrahepatic Cholangiocellular Carcinoma With Predominant Ductal Plate Malformation Pattern. A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Synchronous occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is extremely rare.

CASE

A 67-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with hemoperitoneum caused by a liver mass rupture and elevated serum liver enzymes. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging revealed a solid mass, with 38 mm in maximum diameter, located in the fifth/sixth segments of the liver, suggesting an HCC. Emergency surgery was performed and a second liver mass in the fourth segment was identified intraoperatively, with 20 mm in maximum diameter. Hepatic resection of the affected segments was performed with free resection margins. Histopathological examination revealed the synchronous occurrence of HCC and ICC with a predominant ductal plate malformation pattern. The patient is still alive at 41 months after its first surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with HCC, a proper intraoperative assessment is indicated, in addition to imaging investigations, to detect synchronous lesions that can change the therapeutic approach. This is the first case ever reported in the literature in which synchronous HCC and ICC with a predominant ductal plate malformation pattern were incidentally diagnosed in a patient with hemoperitoneum.

Persistent response to combination therapy of pemigatinib and chemotherapy in a child of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 fusion

Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA), an extremely rare and underinvestigated subtype of primary liver cancer in children, generally has a poor prognosis and greater aggressiveness. Histological diagnosis of cHCC-CCA is difficult because of its diverse components, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). cHCC-CCA shares some genetic alterations with HCC and CCA. However, only a few studies on genetic alterations in fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) in cHCC-CCAs have been reported in adults. Therapeutic strategies for cHCC-CCAs are limited, and surgical resection is the only standard of care. No standard systemic treatment has been established for unresectable cHCC-CCAs. Herein, we report a rare case of a 14-year-old female patient diagnosed with unresectable cHCC-CCA with multiple liver masses and metastases to the lungs, lymph nodes and peritoneum. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has identified an FGFR2-PRDM16 fusion, which has not been previously reported as a common FGFR2 fusion. The blood tumour markers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carbohydrate antigen 19 - 9 (CA19 - 9) were both elevated. The patient was treated with pemigatinib (a selective FGFR inhibitor) in combination with Gemcitabine and Cisplatin at our hospital. After three cycles of the combination therapy, the patient achieved a partial response and normalization of tumor markers. After seven cycles of combination therapy, the patient achieved stable disease with the best response. Subsequently, the patient was administered received pemigatinib and gemcitabine. As of the last follow-up date, the patient has survived for 26 months. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported rare case of unresectable cHCC-CCA with FGFR2-PRDM16 fusion in a child successfully treated with a combination of pemigatinib and chemotherapy as a first-line regimen. This treatment combination may be effective and safe for patients with unresectable cHCC-CCAs.