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Toyoda H, Kanneganti M, Melendez-Torres J, Parikh ND, Jalal PK, Piñero F, Mendizabal M, Ridruejo E, Cheinquer H, Casadei-Gardini A, Weinmann A, Peck-Radosavljevic M, Dufour JF, Radu P, Shiha G, Soliman R, Sarin SK, Kumar M, Wang JH, Tangkijvanich P, Sukeepaisarnjaroen W, Atsukawa M, Uojima H, Nozaki A, Nakamuta M, Takaguchi K, Hiraoka A, Abe H, Matsuura K, Watanabe T, Shimada N, Tsuji K, Ishikawa T, Mikami S, Itobayashi E, Singal AG, Johnson PJ. Regional Differences in Clinical Presentation and Prognosis of Patients With Post-Sustained Virologic Response Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 22:72-80.e4. [PMID: 37442316 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.06.026] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Widespread use of direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C virus infection has been paralleled with increased numbers of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after achieving sustained virologic response (post-SVR HCC) worldwide. Few data compare regional differences in the presentation and prognosis of patients with post-SVR HCC. METHODS We identified patients with advanced fibrosis (F3/F4) who developed incident post-SVR HCC between March 2015 and October 2021 from 30 sites in Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. We compared patient demographics, liver dysfunction, and tumor burden by region. We compared overall survival by region using Kaplan-Meier analysis and identified factors associated with survival using multivariable Cox regression analysis. RESULTS Among 8796 patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis who achieved SVR, 583 (6.6%) developed incident HCC. There was marked regional variation in the proportion of patients detected by surveillance (range: 59.5%-100%), median maximum tumor diameter (range, 1.8-5.0 cm), and the proportion with multinodular HCC (range, 15.4%-60.8%). The prognosis of patients highly varied by region (hazard ratio range, 1.82-9.92), with the highest survival rates in East Asia, North America, and South America, and the lowest survival rates in the Middle East and South Asia. After adjusting for geographic region, HCC surveillance was associated with early stage detection (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage 0/A, 71.0% vs 21.3%; P < .0001) and lower mortality rates (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.18-0.46). CONCLUSIONS Clinical characteristics, including early stage detection, and prognosis of post-SVR HCC differed significantly across geographic regions. Surveillance utilization appears to be a high-yield intervention target to improve prognosis among patients with post-SVR HCC globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidenori Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Japan.
| | - Mounika Kanneganti
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Neehar D Parikh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Prasun K Jalal
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Federico Piñero
- Hospital Universitario Austral, School of Medicine, Austral University, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Manuel Mendizabal
- Hospital Universitario Austral, School of Medicine, Austral University, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel Ridruejo
- Centro de Educación Medica e Investigaciones Clinicas, Norberto Quirno, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hugo Cheinquer
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Universidad de Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Arndt Weinmann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Jean-Francois Dufour
- Hepatology-Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pompilia Radu
- Hepatology-Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gamal Shiha
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital, El Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Riham Soliman
- Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
| | - Shiv K Sarin
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Jing-Houng Wang
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pisit Tangkijvanich
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wattana Sukeepaisarnjaroen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Masanori Atsukawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruki Uojima
- Department of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Akito Nozaki
- Gastroenterology Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Makoto Nakamuta
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Koichi Takaguchi
- Department of Hepatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Takamatsu, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hiraoka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Abe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shinmatusdo Central General Hospital, Matsudo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Matsuura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tsunamasa Watanabe
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Noritomo Shimada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Otakanomori Hospital, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Tsuji
- Center for Gastroenterology, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Toru Ishikawa
- Department of Hepatology, Saiseikai Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Shigeru Mikami
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kikkoman General Hospital, Noda, Japan
| | - Ei Itobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Asahi General Hospital, Asahi, Japan
| | - Amit G Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Philip J Johnson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Huang DQ, Singal AG, Kanwal F, Lampertico P, Buti M, Sirlin CB, Nguyen MH, Loomba R. Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance - utilization, barriers and the impact of changing aetiology. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 20:797-809. [PMID: 37537332 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00818-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Surveillance for HCC is critical for early detection and treatment, but fewer than one-quarter of individuals at risk of HCC undergo surveillance. Multiple failures across the screening process contribute to the underutilization of surveillance, including limited disease awareness among patients and health-care providers, knowledge gaps, and difficulty recognizing patients who are at risk. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcohol-associated liver disease are the fastest-rising causes of HCC-related death worldwide and are associated with unique barriers to surveillance. In particular, more than one-third of patients with HCC related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease do not have cirrhosis and therefore lack a routine indication for HCC surveillance on the basis of current practice guidelines. Semi-annual abdominal ultrasound with measurement of α-fetoprotein levels is recommended for HCC surveillance, but the sensitivity of this approach for early HCC is limited, especially for patients with cirrhosis or obesity. In this Review, we discuss the current status of HCC surveillance and the remaining challenges, including the changing aetiology of liver disease. We also discuss strategies to improve the utilization and quality of surveillance for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Q Huang
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Amit G Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Fasiha Kanwal
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Milan, Italy
- CRC "A. M. and A. Migliavacca" Center for Liver Disease, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Valle d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER-EHD del Instituto Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claude B Sirlin
- Liver Imaging Group, Department of Radiology, UCSD School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mindie H Nguyen
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Rohit Loomba
- NAFLD Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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Shahini E, Pasculli G, Solimando AG, Tiribelli C, Cozzolongo R, Giannelli G. Updating the Clinical Application of Blood Biomarkers and Their Algorithms in the Diagnosis and Surveillance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Critical Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054286. [PMID: 36901717 PMCID: PMC10001986 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054286] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its mortality rate is increasing globally. The overall 5-year survival of patients with liver cancer is currently 10-20%. Moreover, because early diagnosis can significantly improve prognosis, which is highly correlated with tumor stage, early detection of HCC is critical. International guidelines advise using α-FP biomarker with/without ultrasonography for HCC surveillance in patients with advanced liver disease. However, traditional biomarkers are sub-optimal for risk stratification of HCC development in high-risk populations, early diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment response prediction. Since about 20% of HCCs do not produce α-FP due to its biological diversity, combining α-FP with novel biomarkers can enhance HCC detection sensitivity. There is a chance to offer promising cancer management methods in high-risk populations by utilizing HCC screening strategies derived from new tumor biomarkers and prognostic scores created by combining biomarkers with distinct clinical parameters. Despite numerous efforts to identify molecules as potential biomarkers, there is no single ideal marker in HCC. When combined with other clinical parameters, the detection of some biomarkers has higher sensitivity and specificity in comparison with a single biomarker. Therefore, newer biomarkers and models, such as the Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of Alpha-fetoprotein (α-FP), α-FP-L3, Des-γ-carboxy-prothrombin (DCP or PIVKA-II), and the GALAD score, are being used more frequently in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC. Notably, the GALAD algorithm was effective in HCC prevention, particularly for cirrhotic patients, regardless of the cause of their liver disease. Although the role of these biomarkers in surveillance is still being researched, they may provide a more practical alternative to traditional imaging-based surveillance. Finally, looking for new diagnostic/surveillance tools may help improve patients' survival. This review discusses the current roles of the most used biomarkers and prognostic scores that may aid in the clinical management of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endrit Shahini
- Gastroenterology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology-IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0804994249
| | - Giuseppe Pasculli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology-IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Guido Baccelli Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area-(DiMePRe-J), University of Bari “A. Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Raffaele Cozzolongo
- Gastroenterology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology-IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- Scientific Director, National Institute of Gastroenterology-IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy
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Parikh ND, Tayob N, Singal AG. Blood-based biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma screening: Approaching the end of the ultrasound era? J Hepatol 2023; 78:207-216. [PMID: 36089157 PMCID: PMC10229257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, in part because of inadequate early detection strategies. Current recommendations for screening consist of semi-annual abdominal ultrasound with or without serum alpha-fetoprotein in patients with cirrhosis and in demographic subgroups with chronic hepatitis B infection. However, this screening strategy has several deficiencies, including suboptimal early-stage sensitivity, false positives with subsequent harms, inter-operator variability in ultrasound performance, and poor adherence. A blood-based biomarker with sufficient performance characteristics for early-stage disease could overcome several of these barriers to improving early-stage detection. However, prior to use of a biomarker for screening in clinical practice, a multistep validation is required in order to understand test performance characteristics. These steps include case-control validation, followed by validation in prospective cohorts of at-risk patients. Until recently, we lacked adequate longitudinal validation cohorts for early HCC detection; however, several validation cohorts are maturing, including the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Early Detection Study and the Texas Hepatocellular Carcinoma Consortium, which will allow for rigorous validation of candidate biomarkers. While there are several promising biomarkers awaiting validation, in order to supplant abdominal ultrasound, a candidate biomarker must show adequate test performance and overcome practical hurdles to ensure adoption in clinical practice. The promise of blood-based biomarkers is significant, especially given the limitations of ultrasound-based screening; however, they require adequate validation and several logistical obstacles must be overcome prior to clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neehar D Parikh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Nabihah Tayob
- Department of Biostatistics, Dana Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amit G Singal
- Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Wong LL, Lee LY, Karasaki K, Ogihara M, Tran C. Management of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who are 70 years or older. Surg Open Sci 2022; 10:53-58. [PMID: 35993004 PMCID: PMC9386461 DOI: 10.1016/j.sopen.2022.07.003] [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: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although liver transplantation has been done successfully in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, these are likely well-selected patients. This study uses a large database of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma to explore treatment and potential candidacy for liver transplantation in the elderly. Methods Retrospective review of 1,533 hepatocellular carcinoma cases identified 2 groups: 475 patients 70 years or older (70 +) and 1,058 patients < 70 years. Demographics, risk factors, tumor characteristics, treatments, and survival were compared. Three- and 5-year survival rates were determined, and logistic regression was used to identify factors predictive of 3-year survival. Results Patients 70 + were more likely to have metabolic factors and less likely to have viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma found with surveillance (21.7% vs 28.4%, P = .005), and hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan criteria (37.3% vs 43.8%, P = .019). Model for End-stage Liver Disease score was similar, but patients 70 + had higher mean creatinine and lower mean bilirubin. Patients 70 + were equally likely to undergo liver resection but less likely to undergo liver transplantation (0.4% vs 10.2%, P < .001). Three- and 5-year survival rates were significantly worse in 70 +, and predictors of 3-year survival included hepatocellular carcinoma found with surveillance, meeting Milan criteria, and normal alpha fetoprotein. Discussion Elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were less likely to undergo liver transplantation potentially due to metabolic factors and advanced disease. Although there is no age cutoff for liver transplantation, elderly patients should be given realistic expectations of liver transplantation candidacy. Continued surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma in elderly patients may allow for earlier diagnosis and improved liver transplantation candidacy. Key Message Hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who are 70 years or older can be managed with liver transplantation in select cases, but more patients will be managed with liver resection and nonoperative therapies. Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who are older than 70 years will not undergo liver transplant. Older patients are more likely to have metabolic risk factors and comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Older patients have similar Model for End-stage Liver Disease score as younger patients; their scores are based on having more renal dysfunction and a lower bilirubin. Older patients are less likely to have their hepatocellular carcinoma found with surveillance and are more likely to have cancer that is beyond Milan criteria which are generally used for transplant candidacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda L. Wong
- Department of Surgery, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, 1356 Lusitana St, 6th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813
- Corresponding author at: 550 S Beretania St, Suite 403, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. 808-523-5033 (business phone), 808-523-0166 (home phone); fax: 808-528-4940.
| | - Lung Yi Lee
- Department of Surgery, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, 1356 Lusitana St, 6th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813
| | - Kameko Karasaki
- Department of Surgery, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, 1356 Lusitana St, 6th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813
| | - Makoto Ogihara
- Department of Surgery, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, 1356 Lusitana St, 6th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813
| | - Chuong Tran
- Department of Medicine, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, 1356 Lusitana St, 7th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813
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Toyoda H, Kariyama K, Hiraoka A. Editorial: non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance-an increasingly severe public health issue. Authors' reply. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 56:750-751. [PMID: 35879905 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hidenori Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kariyama
- Department of Hepatology, Okayama City Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hiraoka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
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Toyoda H, Atsukawa M. The best predictive model for post-SVR HCC: can it be universal? Hepatol Int 2022; 16:728. [PMID: 35396656 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-022-10336-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hidenori Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, 4-86 Minaminokawa, Ogaki, Gifu, 503-8502, Japan.
| | - Masanori Atsukawa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
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