Comparative efficacy of postoperative transarterial chemoembolization with or without antiviral therapy for hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Nucleos(t)ide analogues and Hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma: A literature review

Hepatitis B virus is mainly considered to cause hepatocellular carcinoma which is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Treatment of Hepatitis B virus with nucleos(t)ide analogues can decrease the progression of the disease and subsequently decreases the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we have discussed the different classes of nucleos(t)ide analogues used in the treatment of Hepatitis B virus and their relationship with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, we discussed the effect of treatment of Hepatitis B virus with Nucleoside analogues (NAs) before, during and after surgery, chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation, and chemotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Association of Hepatitis B Virus DNA Level and Follow-up Interval With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence

IMPORTANCE

Antiviral treatment is important in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) comprehensive therapy. A high HBV DNA level is an independent risk factor for HBV-related HCC, but no quantifiable clinical index is available to date.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility and availability of the novel HBV DNA quantitation-time index (HDQTI), which includes HBV DNA quantitation and follow-up, to predict HBV-related HCC prognosis.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective prognostic study of patients with HCC from multiple centers in China was performed from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2016. The median follow-up time was 18 months, and the longest follow-up time was 147 months. Data analysis was performed from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Clinical characteristics, antitumor management, antiviral treatment, HDQTI scores, follow-up information, and overall survival were recorded and analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic curve and accompanying area under the curve were calculated for HDQTI.

RESULTS

A total of 842 patients (mean [SD] age, 61.80 [9.85] years; 513 [60.9%] male) were included in the study. Of all included patients, 734 received no antiviral therapy before diagnosis (no previous diagnosis of HBV infection), 43 underwent nonstandard antiviral therapy, and 65 received regular antiviral therapy. Compared with the group without antiviral treatment, the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage was earlier (A:B:C, 73.8%:26.2%:0% to 5.7%:65.5%:28.8%, P < .001), the mean (SD) tumor size was smaller (2.89 [1.26] to 7.56 [3.28] cm, P < .001), the ratio of baseline HBV DNA level of more than 105 copies/mL was lower (10.8% to 40.6%, P < .001), and the ratio of the α1-fetoprotein level more than 400 ng/mL was less (21.5% to 78.2%, P < .001) in the standard antiviral treatment group, whereas the nonstandard treatment group was between the 2 groups. Recurrence occurred in 39 of 109 BCLC stage A cases. Patients with HDQTI scores higher than 34 had high risk of recurrence; at this cutoff level, the sensitivity of the HDQTI was 76.9% and the specificity was 92.9%, with an area under curve of 0.928. Patients in various BCLC stages had similar trends in overall survival and HDQTI scores (BCLC stage A: HDQTI score <34, not applicable; HDQTI score ≥34, 44.0 months; 95% CI, 38.3-49.7 months; BCLC stage B: HDQTI score <34, 35.0 months; 95% CI, 33.3-36.7 months; HDQTI score ≥34, 17.0 months; 95% CI, 14.5-19.5 months; P = .002; BCLC stage C: HDQTI score <34, 18.0 months; 95% CI, 16.5-19.6 months; HDQTI scores ≥34, 10.0 months; 95% CI, 8.5-11.5 months; P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The findings suggest that the HDQTI can be used as an independent prognostic indicator of recurrence in HBV-related HCC. Shorter follow-up intervals and accurate imaging evaluation are recommended in patients with HDQTI scores of 34 or higher.

Updates and advancements in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after hepatectomy

Introduction: The 5-year recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatic resection or local ablation is up to 70%. Adjuvant therapies to prevent HCC recurrence have been reported but are not currently recommended by EASL or AASLD guidelines. This review examined evidence from randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses and systematic reviews on the safety and efficacy of adjuvant therapies and chemotherapies in HCC patients after resection or local ablation.Areas covered: PubMed was searched through 15 June 2019. Available evidence was assessed based on the GRADE system.Expert commentary: Transarterial chemoembolization is the best adjuvant therapy for HCC patients at high risk of recurrence, antiviral therapy with nucleoside analogs is effective for preventing recurrence of HBV-related HCC, and interferon-α is effective for preventing recurrence of HCV-related HCC. Further studies are needed to clarify the efficacy of adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors. Adjuvant sorafenib appears to offer negligible clinical benefit and high risk of adverse effects.

Incorporation of biochemical factors for survival analysis of transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common gastrointestinal cancer that occurs worldwide, and conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) is one of the first treatment choices for advanced HCC. However, biochemical factors and comorbidity have seldom been reported in the long-term outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 444 HCC patients who underwent cTACE-based therapy in 2010 to 2012. Survival outcomes were analyzed using a Kaplan–Meier curve and Cox regression analysis.

Results

The mean age was 62.1 ± 12.5 years, and 74.3% were men. Analysis of the mean biochemical values indicated that the presence of portal vein thrombosis, α-fetoprotein (AFP) >200 ng/mL, AJCC 7th stage III, diabetes, albumin <3 g/dL, and hemoglobin were significantly and independently associated with poorer long-term outcomes.

Discussion

The presence of venous thrombus and elevation of AFP levels are the most important factors in cTACE treatment. The host factors, including metabolic status and liver damage, should be evaluated in these patients.

Antiviral Therapy for AECHB and Severe Hepatitis B (Liver Failure)

This chapter describes the principles of antiviral therapy, treatment strategies, medications and recommendations for AECHB, HBV-ACLF, HBV-related liver cirrhosis, HBV-related HCC, and liver transplantation.

Severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B is closely related to continuous HBV replication. Therefore, inhibiting HBV replication to reduce viral load may block disease progression and improve the quality of life of these patients. ETV or TDF has been recommend first-line drug for the treatment of AECHB.

A hyperactive immune response due to continuous HBV replication is the main mechanism for development of severe hepatitis B. In addition to comprehensive treatment, early administration of potent nucleoside analogs can rapidly reduce HBV DNA concentration, relieve immune injury induced by HBV, and reduce liver inflammation and patient mortality. Antiviral agents have become important in the treatment of severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B.

Long-term antiviral treatment with nucleoside analogs can delay or reverse the progress of liver cirrhosis. Virologic response, viral resistance and adverse drug reactions should be closely monitored during treatment. The treatment should be optimized for maximum effect based on each patient’s responses.

Effective antiviral therapy can suppress HBV replication and reduce the incidence of HBV-related HCC. Patients with HBV-related HCC should receive individualized and optimal multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment. Anti-viral drugs with high efficacy, low resistance and low adverse drug reactions should be selected to improve the patient’s quality of life and prolong survival time.

Methods to prevent HBV reinfection after liver transplantation include passive immunization (HBIG), antiviral treatment (nucleoside analogs) and active immunization (hepatitis B vaccine).

Clinical trials involving sequential combination therapy with NUC and Peg-IFN have shown statistically significant decline in HBsAg levels on treatment and high rates of sustained post-treatment serologic response. Combination therapy with novel DAA and immunotherapeutic approach may hold promise to overcome both cccDNA persistence and immune escape, representing a critical step towards HBV cure.

Efficacy of Nucleoside Analogs for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Curative Treatment: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The efficacy of nucleoside analogs (NAs) for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative treatment remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of these agents by conducting a comprehensive meta-analysis of available studies.

METHODS

We searched several databases including Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, and Web of Science, according to PRISMA guidelines. We considered all randomized controlled trials and cohort studies that met the inclusion criteria. Statistical analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14.0.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies with 8752 participants were included in the final analysis. The pooled data showed that patients treated with NAs had significantly lower 1- and 3-year HCC recurrence rates (relative risk [RR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.90; P = 0.001 and RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.71-0.88; P < 0.001, respectively), but there was no difference in 5-year recurrence rates (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.74-1.03; P = 0.10). Regarding overall survival (OS), patients treated with NAs had significantly higher 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates (RR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08; P = 0.003; RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.16-1.34; P < 0.001; and RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.18-1.39; P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

NA therapy has the potential to reduce the risk of early recurrence and improve OS in patients with HBV-related HCC after curative treatment, compared with placebo or no treatment. Further research including more homogeneous studies with large sample sizes is required to improve the reliability of these conclusions.

Adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with solitary tumor and microvascular invasion: a randomized clinical trial of efficacy and safety

Background

The optimal strategy for adjuvant therapy after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with solitary tumor and microvascular invasion (MVI) is controversial. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) after hepatectomy versus hepatectomy alone in HCC patients with a solitary tumor ≥ 5 cm and MVI.

Methods

In this randomized, open-labeled, phase III trial, HCC patients with a solitary tumor ≥ 5 cm and MVI were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either 1–2 cycles of adjuvant TACE after hepatectomy (Hepatectomy-TACE) or hepatectomy alone (Hepatectomy Alone). The primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS); the secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and adverse events.

Results

Between June 1, 2009, and December 31, 2012, 250 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to the Hepatectomy-TACE group (n = 125) or the Hepatectomy Alone group (n = 125). Clinicopathological characteristics were balanced between the two groups. The median follow-up time from randomization was 37.5 months [interquartile range 18.3–48.2 months]. The median DFS was significantly longer in the Hepatectomy-TACE group than in the Hepatectomy Alone group [17.45 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.99–29.14) vs. 9.27 months (95% CI 6.05–13.70), hazard ratio [HR] = 0.70 (95% CI 0.52–0.95), P = 0.020], respectively. The median OS was also significantly longer in the Hepatectomy-TACE group than in the Hepatectomy Alone group [44.29 months (95% CI 25.99–62.58) vs. 22.37 months (95% CI 10.84–33.91), HR = 0.68 (95% CI 0.48–0.97), P = 0.029]. Treatment-related adverse events were more frequently observed in the Hepatectomy-TACE group, although these were generally mild and manageable. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events in both groups were neutropenia and liver dysfunction.

Conclusion

Hepatectomy followed by adjuvant TACE is an appropriate option after radical resection in HCC patients with solitary tumor ≥ 5 cm and MVI, with acceptable toxicity.

Adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization to improve the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma following curative resection

The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic factors for recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following curative resection, and evaluate the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in improving prognosis. A total of 166 patients who underwent curative resection followed by adjuvant TACE, and 190 patients who underwent curative resection alone were studied retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the risk factors of recurrence. Separated based on risk factors, subgroup studies were conducted and the association between TACE and recurrence rates was examined. Postoperative overall survival rates were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences between the two therapeutic strategies were identified through log-rank analysis. Computerized tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were used to evaluate the function of postoperative adjuvant TACE for enhancing the efficacy of CT/MRI in detecting recurrence. The results of the univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that tumor capsule invasion, vascular invasion, and multiple nodules were risk factors of early recurrence. For patients with these risk factors, recurrence rates were markedly decreased at 6 and 12 months, but not at 18 and 24 months, if TACE was added to curative resection. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) was a risk factor for late recurrence. Postoperative TACE was not effective in reducing the recurrence rate in patients with HBV. Survival increased following curative resection with TACE compared with curative resection alone. Furthermore, adjuvant TACE enhanced the efficacy of CT/MRI in detecting recurrence. Postoperative adjuvant TACE may improve the prognosis of HCC following curative resection.

Antiviral Therapy in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C-related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Responding to Palliative Treatment

BACKGROUND/AIM

Advances in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment offer high sustained virologic response rates with minimal side-effects. However, benefits of eradicating HCV in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients whose life expectancies are hard to be determined after palliative therapy still needs to be assessed. This study sought to evaluate prognostic factors for survival in HCV-related HCC patients that responded to the palliative HCC treatment to speculate whether treating HCV would be beneficial in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, the medical records of 97 patients that showed complete or partial response to the initial HCC treatment were included.

RESULTS

Receiving HCV treatment [hazard ratio (HR), 0.244; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.075-0.788; P=0.018] increased the survival, whereas partial response to the initial HCC treatment (HR, 1.795; 95% CI, 1.071-3.008; P=0.026) and increased Child-Turcotte-Pugh score (HR, 2.017; 95% CI, 1.196-3.403; P=0.009) reduced the survival. From 97 patients, 16 patients were eventually treated for HCV. The mean time from the last HCC therapy to HCV treatment was 16.9±13.9 months. The median time of follow-up after HCV treatment was 10.0 months (range, 3 to 47 mo). Among the HCV-treated patients 3 patients had HCC recurred. The time to progression in HCV-treated patients were significantly longer than those untreated for HCV (P=0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

Although treating HCV in HCC patient that undergo noncurative HCC treatment is still debatable, this study results carefully suggest that HCV-related HCC patients that responded to the initial HCC palliative treatment might benefit from HCV treatment.

Efficacy of Transarterial Chemoembolisation with or without Antiviral Therapy for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Radical Hepatectomy

Objective

This study aimed at assessing the effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) and antiviral therapy on improving the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radical hepatectomy.

Methods

This study reviewed the data of 120 patients with HCC who received either radical hepatectomy alone (control group), radical hepatectomy with postoperative TACE (TACE group) or radical hepatectomy with combined postoperative TACE, and antiviral therapy (combined group) from January 2000 to May 2015. To reduce the impact of the possible biases on the conclusion of this study to the minimum, the cases with similar demographic and clinicopathological characteristics were collected and 40 cases were assigned into each group. Recurrence, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were compared.

Results

Median follow-up period was 54.26 ± 22.65 months with a range of 17–110 months. Recurrence after radical surgery was observed for 39 (97.5%) patients in the TACE group, 32 (80%) in the combined group, and 40 (100%) in the control group with median recurrence duration of 33, 43, and 16.5 months, respectively. Postoperative TACE with or without antiviral therapy significantly prolonged the DFS rate compared with radical hepatectomy alone (P = 0.000). TACE combined with antiviral therapy significantly extended the DFS rate compared with TACE alone (P = 0.008). Postoperative TACE with or without antiviral therapy also significantly prolonged the OS rate compared with radical hepatectomy alone (P = 0.000). In addition, antiviral therapy combined with TACE significantly extended the 5-year OS rate of patients compared with individual TACE and radical hepatectomy (67.5% versus 55% and 2.5%; P = 0.032).

Conclusion

TACE is an appropriate therapy for HCC patients after radical hepatectomy. When combined with antiviral therapy, this treatment may further prolong the recurrence time and thus lead to high DFS and OS rates.

Efficacy of Nucleot(s)ide Analogs Therapy in Patients with Unresectable HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Aim. To determine whether nucleot(s)ide analogs therapy has survival benefit for patients with HBV-related HCC after unresectable treatment. Method. A systematic search was conducted through seven electronic databases including PubMed, OVID, EMBASE, Cochrane Databases, Elsevier, Wiley Online Library, and BMJ Best Practice. All studies comparing NA combined with unresectable treatment versus unresectable treatment alone were considered for inclusion. The primary outcome was the overall survival (OS) after unresectable treatment for patients with HBV-related HCC. The secondary outcome was the progression-free survival (PFS). Results were expressed as hazard ratio (HR) for survival with 95% confidence intervals. Results. We included six studies with 994 patients: 409 patients in nucleot(s)ide analogs therapy group and 585 patients without antiviral therapy in control group. There were significant improvements for the overall survival (HR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.47–0.70; p < 0.001) and progression-free survival (HR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.71–0.99; p = 0.034) in the NA-treated group compared with the control group. Funnel plot showed that there was no significant publication bias in these studies. When it comes to antiviral drugs and operation method, it also showed benefit in NA-treated group. At the same time, overall mortality as well as mortality secondary to liver failure in NA-treated group was obviously lesser. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results. Conclusions. Nucleot(s)ide analogs therapy after unresectable treatment has potential beneficial effects in terms of overall survival and progression-free survival. NA therapy should be considered in clinical practice.

Feasibility of combining adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization with nucleos(t)ide analog therapy for patients with HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-associated mortalities, and its prevalence is expected to increase in future decades. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of HCC. Although hepatectomy is the preferred curative treatment for HCC, tumor recurrence is common, which is the most frequent cause of mortality in patients with HCC. HCC recurrence may originate from the primary tumor or be associated with remnant liver tissue, and include high viral load and hepatic inflammatory activity. Adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization and postoperative nucleos(t)ide analogs therapy are the two corresponding therapies. Following systematic searching of the PubMed database, the indications for adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization and nucleos(t)ide analog therapies for HBV-related HCC after hepatectomy were acquired. Additionally, the feasibility of combining these two therapies were also reviewed.

How have the recent advances in antiviral therapy impacted the management of virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma?

INTRODUCTION

Whether the recent advances in antiviral therapy including nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) or interferon (IFN) impacts the management of patients with virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear.

AREA COVERED

The beneficial effects of antiviral therapy on HCC patients receiving curative treatment, transhepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE), or radiotherapy are reviewed and discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

For patients with HCV-related HCC after curative treatment, interferon (IFN)-based therapy has been shown to improve the survival and reduces the risk of HCC recurrence. However, it carries the risk of adverse effects, especially in cirrhotic patients. Therefore, the benefit of IFN should be weighted against its risk in each individual. For patients with HBV-related HCC after curative treatments, antiviral treatment with NA has been found to improve liver function, overall survival, and possibly reduce the risk of HCC recurrence. In contrast, these benefits were not consistently observed in those receiving IFN treatment. In HCC patients receiving palliative TACE or radiotherapy, HBV reactivation occurs in a small proportion of them, and preemptive NA treatment can reduce the risk of hepatitis flare due to viral reactivation. Therefore, NA treatment after curative treatments or TACE is strongly recommended for HCC patients with high viral load (HBV DNA> 2000 IU/mL).