The ALBI grade provides objective hepatic reserve estimation across each BCLC stage of hepatocellular carcinoma

Total bile acid as a preoperative risk factor for post-hepatectomy liver failure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and normal bilirubin

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Total bile acid (TBA) is associated with portal hypertension, a risk factor for post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). We conducted this study to clarify whether TBA is also associated with PHLF in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

We recruited patients with HCC and Child-Pugh class A, who underwent liver resection, and applied multivariate analyses to identify risk factors for PHLF.

RESULTS

We analyzed data from 154 patients. The prevalence of PHLF was 14.3%. The median maximum tumor diameter was 5.1 cm (2.9-6.9 cm). The proportions of patients with elevated TBA levels (P = 0.001), severe albumin-bilirubin (AIBL) grades (P = 0.033), and low platelet counts (P = 0.031) were significantly higher within the subgroup of patients with PHLF than in the subgroup without PHLF. The multivariate analysis results suggest that TBA level (OR, 1.08; 951.03-1.14; P = 0.003) and MRI tumor diameter (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01-1.35; P = 0.038) are independent preoperative risk factors for PHLF. The TBA levels correlated with the indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes (P = 0.001) and the effective hepatic blood flow (P < 0.001), two markers of portal hypertension. However, TBA levels did not correlate with tumor diameter (P = 0.536).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to ICG R15 and AIBL score, preoperative TBA was risk factor for PHLF in Chinese patients with HCC, and it may impact PHLF through its potential role as a marker of portal hypertension.

Prognostic utility of the modified albumin-bilirubin score among patients undergoing curative-intent surgery for gallbladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) has been associated with high rates of recurrence and dismal prognosis even after curative-intent resection. The prognostic utility of the modified albumin-bilirubin (mALBI) score among individuals undergoing curative-intent resection for GBC has not been determined.

METHODS

Patients who underwent radical resection for GBC between 2000 and 2022 were identified from an international, multi-institutional database. Preoperative albumin and bilirubin levels were used to calculate the mALBI score. The relationship among mALBI score, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) was examined.

RESULTS

Among 269 patients who underwent radical resection for GBC, 161 (59.9%) had mALBI grade 1, 48 (17.8%) had grade 2a, 47 (17.5%) had grade 2b, and 13 (4.8%) had mALBI grade 3. After surgery, compared with patients with a low mALBI grade (grade 1/2a), individuals with a high mALBI grade (grade 2b/3) had worse 5-year OS (54.4% vs 19.2%, respectively; P < .001) and RFS (42.0% vs 17.8%, respectively; P < .001). On multivariable analysis, after controlling for relevant clinicopathologic variables, individuals with a high mALBI score remained independently associated with higher risks of death and recurrence (OS: hazard ratio [HR], 2.38 [95% CI, 1.50-3.79]; RFS: HR, 2.12 [95% CI 1.41-3.20]) versus patients with a low mALBI score after curative-intent resection for GBC. Of note, mALBI score was associated with incrementally worse survival within T2, T3, and N+ categories, whereas classic American Joint Committee on Cancer subclassifications failed to distinguish patients with long-term survival.

CONCLUSION

The mALBI score presents a simple, objective measure of hepatic functional reserve and may be a useful prognostic tool for patients undergoing curative-intent resection for GBC.

Prognostic Evaluation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus Patients Treated with Transarterial Chemoembolization Plus Molecular Targeted Therapies-Development and Validation of the ABPS Score

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus molecular targeted therapies has emerged as the main approach for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). A robust model for outcome prediction and risk stratification of recommended TACE plus molecular targeted therapies candidates is lacking. We aimed to develop an easy-to-use tool specifically for these patients.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 384 patients with HCC and PVTT who underwent TACE plus molecular targeted therapies at 16 different institutions. We developed and validated a new prognostic score which called ABPS score. Additionally, an external validation was performed on data from 200 patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study.

RESULTS

The ABPS score (ranging from 0 to 3 scores), which involves only Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI, grade 1: 0 score; grade 2: 1 score), PVTT(I-II type: 0 score; III-IV type: 1 score), and systemic-immune inflammation index (SII,<550 × 1012: 0 score; ≥550 × 1012: 1 score). Patients were categorized into three risk groups based on their ABPS score: ABPS-A, B, and C (scored 0, 1-2, and 3, respectively). The concordance index (C-index) of the ABPS scoring system was calculated to be 0.802, significantly outperforming the HAP score (0.758), 6-12 (0.712), Up to 7 (0.683), and ALBI (0.595) scoring systems (all P < 0.05). These research findings were further validated in the external validation cohorts.

CONCLUSION

The ABPS score demonstrated a strong association with survival outcomes and radiological response in patients undergoing TACE plus molecular targeted therapy for HCC with PVTT. The ABPS scoring system could serve as a valuable tool to guide treatment selection for these patients.

Biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic options in hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver cancer is a global health challenge, causing a significant social-economic burden. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant type of primary liver cancer, which is highly heterogeneous in terms of molecular and cellular signatures. Early-stage or small tumors are typically treated with surgery or ablation. Currently, chemotherapies and immunotherapies are the best treatments for unresectable tumors or advanced HCC. However, drug response and acquired resistance are not predictable with the existing systematic guidelines regarding mutation patterns and molecular biomarkers, resulting in sub-optimal treatment outcomes for many patients with atypical molecular profiles. With advanced technological platforms, valuable information such as tumor genetic alterations, epigenetic data, and tumor microenvironments can be obtained from liquid biopsy. The inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity of HCC are illustrated, and these collective data provide solid evidence in the decision-making process of treatment regimens. This article reviews the current understanding of HCC detection methods and aims to update the development of HCC surveillance using liquid biopsy. Recent critical findings on the molecular basis, epigenetic profiles, circulating tumor cells, circulating DNAs, and omics studies are elaborated for HCC diagnosis. Besides, biomarkers related to the choice of therapeutic options are discussed. Some notable recent clinical trials working on targeted therapies are also highlighted. Insights are provided to translate the knowledge into potential biomarkers for detection and diagnosis, prognosis, treatment response, and drug resistance indicators in clinical practice.

TACE plus lenvatinib and tislelizumab for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma beyond up-to-11 criteria: a multicenter cohort study

Background

Intermediate-stage (BCLC-B) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond the up-to-11 criteria represent a significant therapeutic challenge due to high and heterogeneous tumor burden. This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in combination with lenvatinib and tislelizumab for these patients.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, patients with unresectable intermediate-stage HCC beyond the up-to-11 criteria were enrolled and divided into TACE monotherapy (T), TACE combined with lenvatinib (TL), or TACE plus lenvatinib and tislelizumab (TLT) group based on the first-line treatment, respectively. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS), tumor response according to RESIST1.1 and modified RECIST, and adverse events (AEs).

Results

There were 38, 45, and 66 patients in the T, TL, and TLT groups, respectively. The TLT group exhibited significantly higher ORR and DCR than the other two groups, as assessed by either mRECIST or RECIST 1.1 (all P<0.05). Median PFS and OS were significantly longer in the TLT group compared with the T group (PFS: 8.5 vs. 4.4 months; OS: 31.5 vs. 18.5 months; all P<0.001) and TL group (PFS: 8.5 vs. 5.5 months; OS: 31.5 vs. 20.5 months; all P<0.05). The incidence of TRAEs was slightly higher in the TLT and TL groups than in the T group, while all the toxicities were tolerable. No treatment-related death occurred in all groups.

Conclusions

TACE combined with lenvatinib and tislelizumab significantly improved the survival benefit compared with TACE monotherapy and TACE plus lenvatinib in patients with intermediate-stage HCC beyond the up-to-11 criteria, with an acceptable safety profile.

The conditional recurrence-free survival after R0 hepatectomy for locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A competing risk analysis based on inflammation-nutritional status

Background

Conditional survival analysis can serve as a dynamic prognostic metric, which helps to estimate the real-time survival probability over time. The present study conducted a conditional recurrence-free survival (CRFS) analysis for locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) after R0 hepatectomy from an inflammatory-nutritional perspective using the competing risk method.

Methods

We extracted the medical data of 164 locally advanced ICC patients after R0 resection from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. The calculation formula of the CRFS rate is CRFS(y/x) = RFS(y + x)/RFS(x). Univariable and multivariable COX regression analysis and competing risk analysis were conducted to identify RFS indicators.

Results

Considering death before recurrence as a competing risk factor, the conditional RFS rates every 6 months gradually increased over time. The 24-month RFS rate increased from 29.2 % to 49.9 %, 68.5 %, and 85.1 % given 6, 12, and 18-month already recurrence-free survival, respectively. Both in multivariate COX regression analysis and competing risk analysis, tumor diameter and number, lymph node metastasis, aggregate systemic inflammation index score (AISI), and albumin-bilirubin score (ALBI) all remained significant. For both AISI and ALBI variables, the CRFS rates in the low-value set were higher than those of the high-value set.

Conclusions

Conditional RFS rates of locally advanced ICC after R0 hepatectomy dynamically increased over time, which contributed to reducing survivors' psychological distress and facilitating personalized follow-up schedules. In addition, a person's inflammatory and nutritional status significantly impact the recurrence risk. Oncologists should consider the role of inflammation-nutritional status when making decisions for patients with locally advanced ICC.

Prognostic performance of MRI LI-RADS version 2018 features and clinical-pathological factors in alpha-fetoprotein-negative hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) version 2018 features and clinical-pathological factors for predicting the prognosis of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-negative (≤ 20 ng/ml) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and to compare with other traditional staging systems.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 169 patients with AFP-negative HCC who received preoperative MRI and hepatectomy between January 2015 and August 2020 (derivation dataset:validation dataset = 118:51). A prognostic model was constructed using the risk factors identified via Cox regression analysis. Predictive performance and discrimination capability were evaluated and compared with those of two traditional staging systems.

RESULTS

Six risk factors, namely the LI-RADS category, blood products in mass, microvascular invasion, tumor size, cirrhosis, and albumin-bilirubin grade, were associated with recurrence-free survival. The prognostic model constructed using these factors achieved C-index of 0.705 and 0.674 in the derivation and validation datasets, respectively. Furthermore, the model performed better in predicting patient prognosis than traditional staging systems. The model effectively stratified patients with AFP-negative HCC into high- and low-risk groups with significantly different outcomes (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A prognostic model integrating the LI-RADS category, blood products in mass, microvascular invasion, tumor size, cirrhosis, and albumin-bilirubin grade may serve as a valuable tool for refining risk stratification in patients with AFP-negative HCC.

Navigating the landscape of liver cancer management: Study designs in clinical trials and clinical practice

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide and its prognosis is highly heterogeneous, being related not only to tumour burden but also to the severity of underlying chronic liver disease. Moreover, advances in systemic therapies for HCC have increased the complexity of patient management. Randomised-controlled trials represent the gold standard for evidence generation across all areas of medicine and especially in the oncology field, as they allow for unbiased estimates of treatment effect without confounders. Observational studies have many problems that could reduce their internal and external validity. However, large prospective (well-conducted) observational real-world studies can detect rare adverse events or monitor the occurrence of long-term adverse events. How best to harness real world data, which refers to data generated from the routine care of patients, and real-world 'evidence', which is the evidence generated from real-world data, represents an open challenge. In this review article, we aim to provide an overview of the benefits and limitations of different study designs, particularly focusing on randomised-controlled trials and observational studies, to address important and not fully resolved questions in HCC research.

Insights in Molecular Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

We conducted a comprehensive review of the current literature of published data and clinical trials (MEDLINE), as well as published congress contributions and active recruiting clinical trials on targeted therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma. Combinations of different agents and medical therapy along with radiological interventions were analyzed for the setting of advanced HCC. Those settings were also analyzed in combination with adjuvant situations after resection or radiological treatments. We summarized the current knowledge for each therapeutic setting and combination that currently is or has been under clinical evaluation. We further discuss the results in the background of current treatment guidelines. In addition, we review the pathophysiological mechanisms and pathways for each of these investigated targets and drugs to further elucidate the molecular background and underlying mechanisms of action. Established and recommended targeted treatment options that already exist for patients are considered for systemic treatment: atezolizumab/bevacizumab, durvalumab/tremelimumab, sorafenib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib, regorafenib, and ramucirumab. Combination treatment for systemic treatment and local ablative treatment or transarterial chemoembolization and adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment strategies are under clinical investigation.

Development of novel prognostic models based on dynamic changes in risk factors for hepatitis B associated acute-on-chronic liver failure:a 10-year retrospective study

Background/Aims

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with high short-term mortality, and early prediction is critical to reduce the deaths of ACLF patients. To date, however, the prognostic accuracy of current models for ACLF is unsatisfactory, particularly, in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aims to develop novel prognostic models based on the dynamic changes in variables to predict the short-term mortality of HBV-associated ACLF (HBV-ACLF).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted, with the population comprised in whom ACLF was confirmed.319 patients were enrolled and their clinical data were collected on Days 1 and 7 following hospital admission. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for 28 and 90-day mortality. The dynamic alterations in the risk factors were further analyzed, and Days 1 and 7 prognostic models were constructed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to identify and compared the predictors of prognosis among our model.

Results

Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed significant risk factors at Days 1 and 7, which when combined with the clinically important parameters, were used to establish the Days 1 and 7 prognostic models. For 28-day mortality, the predictive accuracy of the Day 1 prognostic model was significantly higher than that of the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) model. For 90-day mortality, the predictive accuracy of the Days 1 and 7 prognostic models was significantly higher than that of the Model of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), MELD-sodium (MELD-Na), and ALBI prognostic models.

Conclusions

The prognostic models established in this study were superior to the existing prognostic scoring systems to accurately predict short-term mortality, and therefore, could be potential novel prognostic tools for HBV-ACLF.

The Performance of a Survival Nomogram and Albumin-Bilirubin Grade as Prognostic Tools in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with FOLFOX4

BACKGROUND

The ability of the survival nomogram developed in the EACH study and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade to predict the survival of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFOX4) remains unvalidated. Here, we comprehensively evaluated these prognostic tools.

METHODS

The survival nomogram and ALBI grade of each patient were assessed, and the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) and Harrell's C-index for the risk classification model were calculated.

RESULTS

Overall, 76 HCC patients who received FOLFOX4 between August 2017 and June 2023 were included. The survival nomogram classified patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, with a median overall survival (OS) of 9.82, 10.64, and 3.70 months, respectively (p = 0.23). The AUROC was 0.621 and Harrell's C-index was 0.589. However, the ALBI grade categorized all patients into grade 1, 2, and 3, with a median OS of 9.82, 6.83, and 1.58 months, respectively (p = 0.00024). The AUROC was 0.663 and Harrell's C-index was 0.663.

CONCLUSION

The ALBI grade can be a potential prognostic tool. However, the survival nomogram does not provide clear discrimination. Therefore, FOLFOX4 should be an option for patients with ALBI grade 1 who cannot receive immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Additional prospective studies with a larger cohort are warranted to validate the survival nomogram and ALBI grade as prognostic tools.

Evaluation of models to predict prognosis in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with TACE combined with apatinib

BACKGROUND

The HAP, Six-and-Twelve, Up to Seven, and ALBI scores have been substantiated as reliable prognostic markers in patients presenting with intermediate and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment. Given this premise, our research aims to assess the predictive efficacy of these models in patients with intermediate and advanced HCC receiving a combination of TACE and Apatinib. Additionally, we have conducted a meticulous comparative analysis of these four scoring systems to discern their respective predictive capacities and efficacies in combined therapy.

METHODS

Performing a retrospective analysis on the clinical data from 200 patients with intermediate and advanced HCC, we studied those who received TACE combined with Apatinib at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China between June 2018 and December 2022. To identify the factors affecting survival, the study performed univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, with calculations of four different scores: HAP, Six-and-Twelve, Up to Seven, and ALBI. Lastly, Harrell's C-index was employed to compare the prognostic abilities of these scores.

RESULTS

Cox proportional hazards model results revealed that the ALBI score, presence of portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT, )and tumor size are independent determinants of prognostic survival. The Kaplan-Meier analyses showed significant differences in survival rates among patients classified by the HAP, Six-and-Twelve, Up to Seven, and ALBI scoring methods. Of the evaluated systems, the HAP scoring demonstrated greater prognostic precision, with a Harrell's C-index of 0.742, surpassing the alternative models (P < 0.05). In addition, an analysis of the area under the AU-ROC curve confirms the remarkable superiority of the HAP score in predicting short-term survival outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms the predictive value of HAP, Six-and-Twelve, Up to Seven, and ALBI scores in intermediate to advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving combined Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) and Apatinib therapy. Notably, the HAP model excels in predicting outcomes for this specific HCC subgroup.

Treating liver cancer through arginine depletion

Liver cancer, the sixth most common cancer globally and the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths, presents a critical public health threat. Diagnosis often occurs in advanced stages of the disease, aligning incidence with fatality rates. Given that established treatments, such as stereotactic body radiation therapy and transarterial radioembolization, face accessibility and affordability challenges, the emerging focus on cancer cell metabolism, particularly arginine (Arg) depletion, offers a promising research avenue. Arg-depleting enzymes show efficacy against Arg-auxotrophic cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, in this review, we explore the limitations of current therapies and highlight the potential of Arg depletion, emphasizing various Arg-hydrolyzing enzymes in clinical development.

The aMAP score predicts long-term outcomes after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma: a multi-institutional analysis

BACKGROUND

The aMAP score is a proposed model to predict the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among high-risk patients with chronic hepatitis. The role of the aMAP score to predict long-term survival among patients following resection of HCC has not been determined.

METHODS

Patients undergoing resection for HCC between 2000 and 2020 were identified using a multi-institutional database. The impact of the aMAP score on long-term outcomes following HCC resection was assessed.

RESULTS

Among 1377 patients undergoing resection for HCC, a total of 972 (70.6 %) patients had a low aMAP score (≤63), whereas 405 (29.4 %) individuals had a high aMAP score (≥64). aMAP score was associated with 5-year OS in the entire cohort (low vs high aMAP score:66.5 % vs. 54.3 %, p < 0.001). aMAP score predicted 5-year OS following resection among patients with HBV-HCC (low vs. high aMAP:68.8 % vs. 55.6 %, p = 0.01) and NASH/other-HCC (64.7 % vs. 53.7, p = 0.04). aMAP score could sub-stratify 5-year OS among patients undergoing HCC resection within (low vs. high aMAP:81.5 % vs. 67.4 %, p < 0.001) and beyond (55.9 % vs. 38.8 %, p < 0.001) Milan criteria.

DISCUSSION

The aMAP score predicted postoperative outcomes following resection of HCC within and beyond Milan criteria. Apart from a surveillance tool, the aMAP score can also be used as a prognostic tool among patients undergoing resection of HCC.

A refined prediction model for survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization

Background/Aims

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely performed as a major treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and there is a need to stratify patients for whom the most benefit from the treatment. This study aimed to develop a refined prediction model for overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing TACE as a first-line treatment in a large cohort and validate its performance.

Methods

A total of 2,632 patients with HCC of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A or B who underwent TACE between 2008 and 2017 were enrolled. The patients were randomly assigned to a training cohort (n = 1,304) or a validation cohort (n = 1,328). Independent predictors of OS were used to develop a prediction model.

Results

The median age of patients in the entire cohort was 63 years, with the majority having hepatitis B virus (56.6%) and being classified as Child-Pugh class A (82.4%). We developed a new prognostic model, called the TACE-prognostic (TP) score, based on tumor burden (sum of the largest tumor diameter and tumor number), alpha-fetoprotein, and Albumin-Bilirubin grade. Patients were classified into five risk groups according to TP scores, with median survival significantly differentiated in both training and validation cohorts (P < 0.001). The new model consistently outperformed other currently available models in both the training and validation cohorts.

Conclusion

This newly developed TP scoring system has the potential to be a useful tool in identifying ideal candidates of TACE and predicting OS with favorable performance and discrimination. However, further external validation is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

The Association Between Modified Albumin-Bilirubin (mALBI) and Survival in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Immunotherapy

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the clinical value of the modified albumin-bilirubin (mALBI) grade in predicting the survival of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immunotherapy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with advanced NSCLC who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) from January 2020 to May 2022. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS), treatment response, and the association between different mALBI grades and survival.

RESULTS

In these 67 patients, 85.1% (57/67) were male, and the median age was 63 years. The patients with mALBI grades 1 and 2a at baseline had a median OS of 12.83 months (95% CI: 9.4 to 16.27 months), whereas it was 3.2 months (95% CI: NA to 11.59 months) for patients with mALBI grades 2b and 3. The OS for patients with dynamic mALBI grades 1 and 2a was 13.27 months (95% CI: 8.72 to 17.81 months), significantly longer than five months (95% CI: 2.47 to 7.53 months) for dynamic mALBI grades 2b and 3 patients (p<0.01).  Conclusion: In conclusion, mALBI grade may be a potential dynamic biomarker for predicting the prognosis in advanced NSCLC patients treated with immunotherapy.

Machine Learning Radiomics Liver Function Model for Prognostic Prediction After Radical Resection of Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Retrospective Study

PURPOSE

We aimed to establish a machine learning radiomics liver function model to explore how liver function affects the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

Patients with advanced GC were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Eight machine learning radiomic models were constructed by extracting radiomic features from portal-vein-phase contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) images. Clinicopathological features were determined using univariate and multifactorial Cox regression analyses. These features were used to construct a GC survival nomogram.

RESULTS

A total of 510 patients with GC were split into training and test cohorts in an 8:2 ratio. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with type I liver function had a better prognosis. Fifteen significant features were retained to establish the machine learning model. LightBGM showed the best predictive performance in the training (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.978) and test cohorts (AUC 0.714). Multivariate analysis revealed that gender, age, liver function, Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) score, tumor-lymph node-metastasis stage, tumor size, and tumor differentiation were independent risk factors for GC prognosis. The survival nomogram based on machine learning radiomics, instead of liver biochemical indicators, still had high accuracy (C-index of 0.771 vs. 0.773).

CONCLUSION

The machine learning radiomics liver function model has high diagnostic value in predicting the influence of liver function on prognosis in patients with GC.

Relationship between echocardiographic parameters and ALBI score in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis

An increase in the volume and pressure of the heart chambers has been shown to increase liver stiffness. The Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score is useful and easy-to-use for objectively assessing liver function. There is no information in the literature regarding changes in ALBI scores in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS). The aim of our study was to investigate changes in ALBI score and its clinical impact in patients with MS. Of the 247 patients analyzed, 54 were excluded from the study. The remaining 193 patients with MS were divided into two groups: Group I (64 patients with mitral valve area > 1.5 cm2 and mean transmitral gradient < 10 mmHg) and Group II (129 patients with mitral valve area ≤ 1.5 cm2 and mean transmitral gradient ≥ 10 mmHg). The ALBI score was calculated based on serum albumin and total bilirubin levels using the following formula: ALBI= (log10 bilirubin [µmol/L] × 0.66) + (albumin [g/L] × - 0.085). A significant correlation was found between the ALBI score and mitral valve area in patients with MS (r = - 0.479, p < 0.001*) (Table 4; Fig. 3A). An ALBI score greater than - 2.61 was associated with severe MS (mitral valve area < 1.5 cm2), with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 69% (Area under the ROC curve = 0.726; p < 0.001; 95% CI 0.650-0.802) (Fig. 4A). A significant correlation was found between the ALBI score and mean transmitral gradient in patients with MS (r = 0.476; p < 0.001*) (Table 4; Fig. 3B). An ALBI score greater than - 2.57 was associated with severe MS (mean transmitral gradient < 10 mmHg), with a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 67% (Area under the ROC curve = 0.684; p < 0.001; 95% CI 0.608-0.759) (Fig. 4B). In multivariate linear regression analysis, mitral valve area and mean transmitral gradient were significantly associated with increased ALBI scores (p < 0.05). Mitral valve area, mean transmitral gradient, and NT-proBNP levels were significantly associated with the ALBI score. The ALBI score could provide an information about the severity of MS. The ALBI score is a simple, evidence-based, objective, and discriminatory method for assessing liver function in patients with MS.Please check and confirm that the authors and their respective affiliations have been correctly identified and amend if necessary.Authors and their respective affiliations are correctly identified.

An interpretable machine learning model based on contrast-enhanced CT parameters for predicting treatment response to conventional transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential of pre-therapy computed tomography (CT) parameters in predicting the treatment response to initial conventional TACE (cTACE) in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and develop an interpretable machine learning model.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 367 patients with intermediate-stage HCC who received cTACE as first-line therapy from three centers. We measured the mean attenuation values of target lesions on multi-phase contrast-enhanced CT and further calculated three CT parameters, including arterial (AER), portal venous (PER), and arterial portal venous (APR) enhancement ratios. We used logistic regression analysis to select discriminative features and trained three machine learning models via 5-fold cross-validation. The performance in predicting treatment response was evaluated in terms of discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility. Afterward, a Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) algorithm was leveraged to interpret the outputs of the best-performing model.

RESULTS

The mean diameter, ECOG performance status, and cirrhosis were the important clinical predictors of cTACE treatment response, by multiple logistic regression. Adding the CT parameters to clinical variables showed significant improvement in performance (net reclassification index, 0.318, P < 0.001). The Random Forest model (hereafter, RF-combined model) integrating CT parameters and clinical variables demonstrated the highest performance on external validation dataset (AUC of 0.800). The decision curve analysis illustrated the optimal clinical benefits of RF-combined model. This model could successfully stratify patients into responders and non-responders with distinct survival (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The RF-combined model can serve as a robust and interpretable tool to identify the appropriate crowd for cTACE sessions, sparing patients from receiving ineffective and unnecessary treatments.

Albumin‑bilirubin grade is an independent prognostic factor for small lung cell cancer

Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade was first described in 2015 as an indicator of liver dysfunction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. ALBI grade has been reported to have prognostic value in several malignancies including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study aimed to explore the prognostic impact of ALBI grade in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). It retrospectively analyzed 135 patients with SCLC treated at Hebei General Hospital between April 2015 and August 2021. Patients were divided into two groups according to the cutoff point of ALBI grade determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve: Group 1 with pre-treatment ALBI grade ≤-2.55 for an improved hepatic reserve and group 2 with ALBI grade >-2.55. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were performed to assess the potential prognostic factors associated with progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to eliminate the influence of confounding factors. PFS and OS (P<0.001) were significantly improved in group 1 compared with in group 2. Multivariate analysis revealed that sex (P=0.024), surgery (P=0.050), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; P=0.038), chemotherapy (P=0.038) and ALBI grade (P=0.028) are independent risk factors for PFS and that surgery (P=0.013), LDH (P=0.039), chemotherapy (P=0.009) and ALBI grade (P=0.013) are independent risk factors for OS. After PSM, ALBI grade is an independent prognostic factor of PFS (P=0.039) and OS (P=0.007). It was concluded that ALBI grade was an independent prognostic factor in SCLC.

Performance status as a prognostic surrogate in hepatocellular carcinoma: Role of albumin-bilirubin and easy-albumin-bilirubin grade

BACKGROUND

Performance status (PS) is associated with the severity of liver cirrhosis and is also an important survival determinant in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade and easy (EZ)-ALBI grade have been proposed to evaluate liver dysfunction in HCC, but their role in patients with different PS is unclear. We aimed to investigate the prognostic role of ALBI and EZ-ALBI grade in a large HCC cohort with variable PS.

METHODS

A total of 3355 newly diagnosed HCC patients between 2002 and 2018 were identified and retrospectively analyzed. Independent prognostic predictors associated with survival were investigated using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Patients with poor PS had decreased survival compared with those with good PS. In the Cox model, creatinine ≥1.2 mg/dL, α-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥20 ng/mL, vascular invasion, distant metastasis, total tumor volume >100 cm 3 , presence of ascites, ALBI grades 2 and 3, EZ-ALBI grade 2 and grade 3, PS 1-4, and noncurative treatment were independently associated with higher mortality in the entire cohort (all p < 0.001). ALBI grade and EZ-ALBI grade can well stratify overall survival in subgroup patients with PS 0, PS 1-2, and PS 3-4 (all p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with good PS have better long-term survival compared with those with poor PS. ALBI and EZ-ALBI grade can discriminate long-term outcome in the entire cohort as well as in patients with different PS. ALBI and EZ-ALBI are objective and feasible prognostic models to evaluate liver dysfunction in HCC patients independent of PS.

Efficacy of transarterial radioembolization using Y-90 resin microspheres versus atezolizumab-bevacizumab in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A matching-adjusted indirect comparison

INTRODUCTION

No head-to-head trials compared the efficacy of transarterial radioembolization (TARE, also known as selective internal radiation therapy) to combination immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The analysis objective was to compare effectiveness outcomes of TARE using Y-90 resin microspheres and atezolizumab-bevacizumab (AB) in advanced unresectable HCC.

METHODS

Patient-level data from SARAH randomized controlled trial for TARE and aggregate real-world data from AB-real study were used in an unanchored matching-adjusted indirect comparison. The basecase analysis used per-protocol data from SARAH; intention-to-treat data were used in sensitivity analyses. The following prognostic variables and effect modifiers were identified from literature: cause of disease, macrovascular invasion, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status, alpha-fetoprotein level and albumin-bilirubin score. Weights were assigned to patients from SARAH to balance baseline characteristics across studies and reflect characteristics of AB-real patients. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and response rates (overall response rates [ORR]) were calculated and compared.

RESULTS

The analysis of OS and PFS included 140 patients receiving TARE and 131 for the analysis of response rates, compared to 202 receiving AB. Median OS was 15.0 and 14.9 months for TARE and AB, respectively (HR=0.980; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.658-1.461; p-value=0.922). Median PFS was 4.4 and 6.8 months for TARE and AB, respectively (HR=0.745; 95%CI: 0.544-1.022; p-value=0.068). ORR were 19.8% and 25% with TARE and AB, respectively (OR for AB=1.386, 95%CI: 0.746-2.668; p-value=0.306). Sensitivity analyses generated similar results.

CONCLUSION

In HCC patients receiving treatment, TARE using Y-90 resin microspheres may achieve comparable effectiveness outcomes compared with AB.

Development and Validation of a Risk Prediction Algorithm for Evaluating the Efficacy of Postoperative Adjuvant TACE Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is a lack of a reliable outcome prediction model for patients evaluating the feasibility of postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (PATACE) therapy. Our goal was to develop an easy-to-use tool specifically for these patients.

METHODS

From January 2013 to June 2017, patients with hepatocellular carcinoma from the Liver Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University received postoperative adjuvant Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy after liver cancer resection. A Cox proportional hazards model was established for these patients, followed by internal validation (enhanced bootstrap resampling technique) to further evaluate the predictive performance and discriminanceevaluate the predictive performance and discriminance, and compare it with other predictive models. The prognostic factors considered included tumour number, maximum tumor diameter, Edmondson-Steiner (ES) grade, Microvascular invasion (MVI) grade, Ki67, age, sex, hepatitis B surface antigen, cirrhosis, Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, Childpugh grade, body mass index (BMI), Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR).

RESULTS

The endpoint of the study was overall survival. The median overall survival was 36 (95%CI: 34.0-38.0) months, with 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival rates being 96.3%, 84.0% and 75.3%, respectively. Tumour number, MVI grade, and BMI was incorporated into the model, which had good differentiation and accuracy. Internal validation (enhanced bootstrap) suggested that Harrell's C statistic is 0.72. The model consistently outperforms other currently available models.

CONCLUSION

This model may be an easy-to-use tool for screening patients suitable for PA-TACE treatment and guiding the selection of clinical protocols. But further research and external validation are required.

Pretreatment Non-Invasive Biomarkers as Predictors to Estimate Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis (PVTT) Risk and Long-Term Survival in HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Without PVTT

Background

PVTT is a hallmark of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aim to explore the influence of non-invasive biomarkers on the occurrence of PVTT and develop and validate models for predicting prognosis in HBV-related HCC patients without PVTT.

Methods

A total of 1026 HBV-related HCC patients without PVTT were enrolled, with 515 in the training cohort, 216 in the internal validation cohort, and 295 in the external validation cohort. We conducted Cox regression analyses to discern the independent risk factors associated with PVTT events, PFS, and OS, then constructed and validated predictive models. The predictive and discriminatory capabilities of models were assessed using the calibration, time-dependent ROC, and DCA curves.

Results

In our study, 136 patients (13.3%) experienced PVTT events during the follow-up period. The Cox regression analysis unveiled that male gender, AAPR ≤0.49, APRI >0.48, extrahepatic metastasis, and multiple tumors were independent risk factors for PVTT. In the training cohort, non-invasive biomarkers (AAR and APRI), AFP, ascites, and tumor-related characteristics (extrahepatic metastasis, tumor diameter, tumor number, and PVTT event) were independent risk factors for both OS and PFS, whereas age and ALBI grade independently correlated with OS. The C-indexes of OS and PFS nomogram models were 0.795 and 0.733 in the training cohort, 0.765 and 0.716 in the internal validation cohort, and 0.780 and 0.722 in the external validation cohort, respectively. Our models demonstrated strong predictive and discriminative abilities in all cohorts and yielded a greater net benefit compared to three traditional staging systems.

Conclusion

Non-invasive biomarkers are expected to be reliable predictors for assessing PVTT risk and predicting prognosis among HBV-related HCC patients without PVTT.

The relationship between echocardiographic parameters and albumin bilirubin score in patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism

PURPOSE

The Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score is useful and easy-to-use for objectively assessing liver function. We investigated whether the ALBI score, a parameter indicating liver stiffness, congestion and fibrosis, has any relationship with echocardiographic parameters in patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 140 patients diagnosed with acute PTE were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into three groups according to the hemodynamic severity of acute PTE: Group I [Low risk]; Group II [Submassive or intermediate-risk]; and Group III [Massive or high-risk]. Biochemical data obtained from venous blood samples taken at admission were analyzed. In addition, data were also analyzed from transthoracic echocardiography and pulmonary computed tomographic angiography performed at admission. ALBI, Bova, and PESI scores were calculated.

RESULTS

ALBI scores (-3.32 ± 0.21 vs -2.86 ± 0.15 vs -2.46 ± 0.2, p < .001) were statistically significantly higher in Group III than Groups I and II. There was a significant difference between the three groups in terms of echocardiographic parameters, and LVEF and TAPSE values tended to decrease from group I to group III. In multivariate linear regression analysis, sPAP, RV/RA diameter, and NT-pro-BNP were found to be significantly associated with the ALBI score. An ALBI score higher than -2.87 was associated with Bova stage II-III in patients with Group I and Group II PTE, with a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 62% (AUC = 0.804; 95% CI 0.713-0.895; p < .001).

CONCLUSION

The ALBI score, which is a common, easy-to-use, and inexpensive method, may be beneficial to select intermediate and high-risk patients in patients with acute PTE. Additionally, it may have prognostic value in distinguishing low and intermediate-risk acute PTE patients.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma from a Hepatologist's Perspective

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of primary liver cancer, represents a growing health challenge worldwide. The incidence of HCC is rising, which, in turn, has led to a corresponding increase in the associated number of deaths. HCC will become the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States by 2030. HCC usually develops in the setting of chronic liver disease. Individuals at increased risk of HCC are recommended to undergo surveillance with ultrasound every 6 months along with serum α-fetoprotein testing. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are considered alternatives based on specific patient factors. Lesions suspicious for HCC are recommended to undergo a diagnostic testing, which includes contrast-enhanced multiphase CT or MRI and liver biopsy when findings are indeterminate. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer prognosis and treatment strategy is the most used assessment for patients with HCC ( Fig. 2 ). Curative therapies include resection, liver transplantation, and ablation. Locoregional therapies, such as transarterial chemoembolization and radioembolization, can be used for patients with intermediate-stage HCC. For patients with advanced-stage HCC, systemic therapy is often used. This review aims to provide an overview of HCC from a hepatologist's perspective, including epidemiology, screening, surveillance, diagnosis, and management.

Albumin-Based Liver Reserve Models vs. MELD 3.0 in Prognostic Prediction for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Renal Insufficiency

The severity of liver functional reserve is an important prognostic predictor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI), easy (EZ)-ALBI, platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI), platelet-albumin (PAL) score, and MELD 3.0 score are used to evaluate the severity of liver dysfunction. However, their prognostic role in HCC patients, specifically with renal insufficiency (RI), is unclear. We aimed to investigate the predictive accuracy of the five models in these patients. A total of 1120 newly diagnosed HCC patients with RI were enrolled. A multivariate Cox proportional analysis was used to identify independent predictors associated with survival. In the Cox model, older age, an α-fetoprotein ≥20 ng/mL, vascular invasion, a medium and high tumor burden score, poor performance status, a higher ALBI grade, an EZ-ALBI grade, a PALBI grade, a PAL grade, and MELD 3.0 score were all independently associated with decreased overall survival (all p < 0.001). Among the five liver reserve models, the ALBI grade is the best surrogate marker to represent liver functional reserve in terms of outcome prediction. The albumin-based liver reserve models (ALBI, EZ-ALBI, PALBI, and PAL) and MELD 3.0 are all feasible prognostic markers to indicate liver injury, specifically in HCC patients with RI. Among them, the ALBI grade is the most robust tool for survival prediction in these patients.

Evaluation of the Easy Albumin-Bilirubin Score as a Prognostic Tool for Mortality in Adult Trauma Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Study

The easy albumin-bilirubin (EZ-ALBI) score is derived using the following equation: total bilirubin (mg/dL) - 9 × albumin (g/dL). This study aimed to determine whether the EZ-ALBI score predicted mortality risk in adult trauma patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). Data from a hospital's trauma database were retrospectively evaluated for 1083 adult trauma ICU patients (139 deaths and 944 survivors) between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2021. Patients were classified based on the ideal EZ-ALBI cut-off of -26.5, which was determined via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The deceased patients' EZ-ALBI scores were higher than those of the surviving patients (-26.8 ± 6.5 vs. -30.3 ± 5.9, p = 0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that, in addition to age, the presence of end-stage renal disease, Glasgow Coma Scale scores, and injury severity scores, the EZ-ALBI score is an independent risk factor for mortality (odds ratio (OR), 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.14; p = 0.001)). Compared with patients with EZ-ALBI scores < -26.5, those with scores ≥ -26.5 had a 2.1-fold higher adjusted mortality rate (adjusted OR, 2.14; 95% CI: 1.43-3.19, p = 0.001). In conclusion, the EZ-ALBI score is a substantial and independent predictor of mortality and can be screened to stratify mortality risk in adult trauma ICU patients.

Albumin-Bilirubin Score at Post-Hepatectomy Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence: Impact on Survival and Association with Post-Hepatectomy Liver Failure

PURPOSE

Our objective was to investigate the impact of albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score at the time of post-hepatectomy hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence on survival after recurrence (SAR). We further explored the perioperative factors associated with the ALBI score at recurrence.

METHODS

Patients who underwent primary hepatectomy for HCC between 2007 and 2018 and developed recurrence were included in the study. Cox regression models were used to assess the association between the ALBI score at recurrence and SAR. Linear regression models were used to explore factors associated with ALBI score at recurrence.

RESULTS

Of the 233 patients analyzed, 158 developed recurrence within the Milan criteria (RWM) and 76 developed recurrence beyond the Milan criteria (RBM). Multivariable cox regression analysis demonstrated that higher ALBI scores at recurrence were associated with poorer SAR in both RWM and RBM groups (hazard ratios 4.5, 5.0; 95% confidence intervals 2.3-8.8, 2.2-11.6, respectively). In addition, multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that higher ALBI scores at hepatectomy and post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) ≥ grade B were associated with higher ALBI scores at recurrence (β = 0.21, 0.11; 95% confidence intervals 0.15-0.26, 0.06-0.17, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The ALBI score at recurrence was a significant prognostic factor for SAR, and the ALBI scores at hepatectomy and PHLF ≥ Grade B were independently associated with the ALBI score at recurrence. Prevention of PHLF and consequent preservation of liver function at recurrence may be paramount to achieving better survival after HCC recurrence.

Assessment of the albumin-bilirubin score in breast cancer patients with liver metastasis after surgery

Objective

This study aims to investigate the potential prognostic value of albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score in breast cancer patients with liver metastasis after surgery.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 178 breast cancer patients with liver metastasis after surgery. ALBI score was calculated by the following formula: (log10 bilirubin × 0.66) - (albumin × 0.085). The optimal cutoff value of ALBI score was assessed by X-tile. The clinical influence of ALBI score on survival outcomes using Kaplan-Meier method, Log-rank test, Cox proportional hazards regression model. The calibration curves, decision curve analysis and time-dependent ROC curve were used to assess the predictive performance of the nomogram's models.

Results

The classifications of 178 breast cancer patients with liver metastasis after surgery were as follows: low ALBI score group (＜-3.36) vs. high ALBI score group (≥-3.36). The Cox proportional hazards regression model indicated that ALBI score was a potential predictor. Kaplan-Meier survival curve performed that the median disease free survival (p = 0.0029) and overall survival (p＜0.0001) in low ALBI score group were longer than in high ALBI score group. The ALBI-based nomograms had good predictive performance.

Conclusions

The ALBI score has high prognostic ability for survival time in breast cancer with liver metastasis after surgery. These models will be valuable in discriminating patients at high risks of liver metastasis.

Current status of preoperative risk assessment for posthepatectomy liver failure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver resection is an effective therapeutic option for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. However, posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains a major cause of hepatectomy-related mortality, and the accurate prediction of PHLF based on preoperative assessment of liver functional reserve is a critical issue. The definition of PHLF proposed by the International Study Group for Liver Surgery has gained acceptance as a standard grading criterion. Liver function can be estimated using a variety of parameters, including routine blood biochemical examinations, clinical scoring systems, dynamic liver function tests, liver stiffness and fibrosis markers, and imaging studies. The Child-Pugh score and model for end-stage liver disease scores are conventionally used for estimating liver decompensation, although the alternatively developed albumin-bilirubin score shows superior performance for predicting hepatic dysfunction. Indocyanine green clearance, a dynamic liver function test mostly used in Japan and other Asian countries, serves as a quantitative estimation of liver function reserve and helps determine indications for surgical procedures according to the estimated risk of PHLF. In an attempt to improve predictive accuracy, specific evaluation of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension has gained popularity, including liver stiffness measurements using ultrasonography or magnetic resonance elastography, as well as noninvasive fibrosis markers. Imaging modalities, including Tc-99m-labeled galactosyl serum albumin scintigraphy and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, are used for preoperative evaluation in combination with liver volume. This review aims to provide an overview of the usefulness of current options for the preoperative assessment of liver function in predicting PHLF.

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Plus Anti-PD-1 Antibodies with Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy or Transarterial Chemoembolization for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

The combination of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and anti-PD-1 antibodies with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has shown encouraging anti-tumor effects in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We explored the efficacy and safety of TKIs and anti-PD-1 antibodies combined with HAIC or TACE in HCC.

Methods

Data from 302 HCC patients receiving HAIC combined with TKIs and anti-PD-1 antibodies (HAIC-TP group) and 446 HCC patients receiving TACE combined with TKIs and anti-PD-1 antibodies (TACE-TP group) were retrospectively collected. Clinicopathological characteristics, tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were compared between two groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to minimize bias.

Results

The HAIC-TP group exhibited better objective response rate (RECIST: 33.1% versus 7.8%, P < 0.001; mRECIST: 51.4% versus 17.5%, P < 0.001), longer PFS (12.4 months versus 8.2 months, P < 0.001), and longer OS (not reached versus 13.8 months, P < 0.001) than TACE-TP group. Surgery was performed after combination therapy in 34 patients of the HAIC-TP group and in 7 patients of the TACE-TP group (P < 0.001). Similar results were also observed in the PSM analysis. Multivariate analysis indicated type of treatment, alpha-fetoprotein, ALBI grade, portal vein tumor thrombus, and extrahepatic status were risk factors for poor prognosis. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain occurred more frequently in the HAIC-TP group, whereas liver dysfunction occurred more frequently in the TACE-TP group. All AEs were acceptable and manageable as a result of treatment interruption or dose modification.

Conclusion

The combination of HAIC with TKIs and anti-PD-1 antibodies is an effective and safe therapeutic regimen over TACE-based combination therapy for patients with HCC. A prospective study with a large sample size is required to validate the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy.

Modified Albumin-Bilirubin Grade optimized for risk stratification of patients with stage II-III gastric cancer

PURPOSE

The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade is calculated using albumin and bilirubin values. We determined the optimal cutoff value of the ALBI grade for predicting the postoperative prognosis of gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed a multicenter database of 3571 patients who underwent gastrectomy for GC between January 2010 and December 2014. The modified ALBI (mALBI) grade was determined using cutoff values: grade 1 (mALBI ≤  - 2.70), 2 (mALBI - 2.70 to - 2.10), and 3 (mALBI >  - 2.10). We used a validation cohort to evaluate reproducibility.

RESULTS

The entire cohort (n = 956) was randomly assigned to the learning or validation cohorts (n = 478 each). The former was categorized into the following groups by the preoperative mALBI grade: grade 1 (n = 235), grade 2 (n = 162), and grade 3 (n = 81). The disease-specific survival (DSS) rates of the learning and validation cohorts were significantly shortened in association with higher mALBI grade (learning, p = 0.0068; validation, p = 0.0100). A multivariate analysis revealed that mALBI grade 3 served as an independent prognostic factor for DSS. Furthermore, mALBI grade 2 or 3 was associated with a greater risk of disease-specific death in most subgroups.

CONCLUSION

The mALBI grade accurately predicted the long-term postoperative prognosis of locally advanced GC.

Albumin-Bilirubin Grade Analyses of Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab versus Sorafenib in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Post Hoc Analysis of the Phase III IMbrave150 Study

Introduction

Atezolizumab + bevacizumab showed survival benefit in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) versus sorafenib in the Phase III IMbrave150 study. This exploratory analysis examined the prognostic impact of a baseline albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score.

Methods

Patients with treatment-naïve unresectable HCC, ≥1 measurable untreated lesion, and Child-Pugh class A liver function were randomized 2:1 to receive atezolizumab 1,200 mg + bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks or sorafenib 400 mg twice daily. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed in the intention-to-treat population by ALBI/modified (m)ALBI grade. Time to deterioration (TTD; defined as time to 0.5-point increase from the baseline ALBI score over 2 visits or death) of liver function and safety were investigated.

Results

Of 501 enrolled patients, 336 were randomized to receive atezolizumab + bevacizumab (ALBI grade [G] 1: n = 191; G2: n = 144 [mALBI G2a: n = 72, G2b: n = 72]; missing ALBI grade: n = 1) and 165 to sorafenib (ALBI G1: n = 87; G2: n = 78 [mALBI G2a: n = 37; G2b: n = 41]). Median follow-up was 15.6 months. OS and PFS improved with atezolizumab + bevacizumab versus sorafenib in patients with ALBI G1 (OS HR: 0.50 [95% CI: 0.35, 0.72]; PFS HR: 0.61 [95% CI: 0.45, 0.82]). In patients with ALBI G2 or mALBI G2a or G2b, PFS was numerically longer with atezolizumab + bevacizumab versus sorafenib, but no OS benefit was seen. Median TTD in the intention-to-treat population was 10.2 months (95% CI: 8.0, 11.0) with atezolizumab + bevacizumab versus 8.6 months (95% CI: 6.2, 11.8) with sorafenib (HR: 0.82 [95% CI: 0.65, 1.03]). Safety profiles of atezolizumab and bevacizumab were consistent with previous analyses, regardless of ALBI grade.

Conclusion

ALBI grade appeared to be prognostic for outcomes with both atezolizumab + bevacizumab and sorafenib treatment in patients with HCC. Atezolizumab + bevacizumab preserved liver function for a numerically longer duration than sorafenib.

Contrast-Enhanced CT Imaging Features Combined with Clinical Factors to Predict the Efficacy and Prognosis for Transarterial Chemoembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Accurate prediction of treatment response to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is critical for precision treatment. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive model (DLRC) that incorporates contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images and clinical factors to predict the response to TACE in patients with HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 399 patients with intermediate-stage HCC were included in this retrospective study. Deep learning and radiomic signatures were established based on arterial phase CECT images, Correlation analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection (LASSO) regression analysis were applied for features selection. The DLRC model incorporating deep learning radiomic signatures and clinical factors was developed using multivariate logistic regression. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the performance of the models. Kaplan-Meier survival curves based on the DLRC were plotted to assess overall survival in the follow-up cohort (n = 261).

RESULTS

The DLRC model was developed using 19 quantitative radiomic features, 10 deep learning features, and 3 clinical factors. The AUC of the DLRC model was 0.937 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.912-0.962) and 0.909 (95% CI, 0.850-0.968) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively, outperforming models established with two signatures or a single signature (p < 0.05). Stratified analysis showed that the DLRC was not statistically different between subgroups (p > 0.05), and the DCA confirmed the greater net clinical benefit. In addition, multivariable cox regression revealed that DLRC model outputs were independent risk factors for the overall survival (hazard ratios: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03-1.40; p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

The DLRC model exhibited a remarkable accuracy in predicting response to TACE, and it can be utilized as a potent tool for precision treatment.

Deep learning prediction of post-SBRT liver function changes and NTCP modeling in hepatocellular carcinoma based on DGAE-MRI

BACKGROUND

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) produces excellent local control for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the risk of toxicity for normal liver tissue is still a limiting factor. Normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models have been proposed to estimate the toxicity with the assumption of uniform liver function distribution, which is not optimal. With more accurate regional liver functional imaging available for individual patient, we can improve the estimation and be more patient-specific.

PURPOSE

To develop normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models using pre-/during-treatment (RT) dynamic Gadoxetic Acid-enhanced (DGAE) MRI for adaptation of RT in a patient-specific manner in hepatocellular cancer (HCC) patients who receive SBRT.

METHODS

24 of 146 HCC patients who received SBRT underwent DGAE MRI. Physical doses were converted into EQD2 for analysis. Voxel-by-voxel quantification of the contrast uptake rate (k1) from DGAE-MRI was used to quantify liver function. A logistic dose-response model was used to estimate the fraction of liver functional loss, and NTCP was estimated using the cumulative functional reserve model for changes in Child-Pugh (C-P) scores. Model parameters were calculated using maximum-likelihood estimations. During-RT liver functional maps were predicted from dose distributions and pre-RT k1 maps with a conditional Wasserstein generative adversarial network (cWGAN). Imaging prediction quality was assessed using root-mean-square error (RMSE) and structural similarity (SSIM) metrics. The dose-response and NTCP were fit on both original and cWGAN predicted images and compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS

Logistic dose response models for changes in k1 yielded D50 of 35.2 (95% CI: 26.7-47.5) Gy and k of 0.62 (0.49-0.75) for the whole population. The high baseline ALBI (poor liver function) subgroup showed a significantly smaller D50 of 11.7 (CI: 9.06-15.4) Gy and larger k of 0.96 (CI: 0.74-1.22) compared to a low baseline ALBI (good liver function) subgroup of 54.8 (CI: 38.3-79.1) Gy and 0.59 (CI: 0.48-0.74), with p-values of < 0.001 and = 0.008, respectively, which indicates higher radiosensitivity for the worse baseline liver function cohort. Subset analyses were also performed for high/low baseline CP subgroups. The corresponding NTCP models showed good agreement for the fit parameters between cWGAN predicted and the ground-truth during-RT images with no statistical differences for low ALBI subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

NTCP models which incorporate voxel-wise functional information from DGAE-MRI k1 maps were successfully developed and feasibility was demonstrated in a small patient cohort. cWGAN predicted functional maps show promise for estimating localized patient-specific response to RT and warrant further validation in a larger patient cohort.

Current Status and Future Direction of Albumin-Bilirubin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Bibliometric Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor, so we need a convenient and objective way to diagnose and treat HCC. We discuss the current situation, progress, hotspots, and existing problems of Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) in HCC, which can provide new ideas for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HCC.

METHODS

We adopt Excel 2019 software and visual analysis tools based on Web of Science database search. This manuscript uses VOSviewer, Co-Occurrence13.3 (COOC13.3) software to conduct overall trend analysis, synonym merging, frequency of countries, journals, institutions, funds, dissimilarity matrices, co-occurrence matrices, bimodal matrices, coupling matrices, cluster analysis of topic evolution time zone graphs.

RESULTS

A total of 610 papers were included, and the number of papers output showed an overall upward trend. ALBI has been valued by the industry in HCC and plays an important role in diagnosing and treating HCC, even better than the classic Child-Pugh (C-P) grade. At the same time, hot spots in the treatment of HCC and other applications of ALBI were discovered.

CONCLUSION

ALBI score is a convenient and objective liver function evaluation index, which plays an important role in the prediction of patient survival rate and prognosis. Promoting the ALBI score in HCC can help doctors judge the patient's condition and improve the diagnosis and precise treatment effect.

Radiation dose is associated with improved local control for large, but not small, hepatocellular carcinomas

BACKGROUND

With advances in understanding liver tolerance, conformal techniques, image guidance, and motion management, dose-escalated radiotherapy has become a potential treatment for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to evaluate the possible impact of biologically effective dose (BED) on local control and toxicity among patients with HCC.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients treated at our institution from 2009 to 2018 were included in this retrospective analysis if they received definitive-intent radiotherapy with a nominal BED of at least 60 Gy. Patients were stratified into small and large tumors using a cutoff of 5 cm, based on our clinical practice. Toxicity was assessed using ALBI scores and rates of clinical liver function deterioration.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-eight patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 16 months. The majority of patients (90.5%) had a good performance status (ECOG 0-1), with Child-Pugh A (66.4%) and ALBI Grade 2 liver function at baseline (55.4%). Twenty (15.6%) patients had a local recurrence in the irradiated field during the follow-up period. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses showed that only BED significantly predicted local tumor recurrence. Higher BED was associated with improved local control in tumors with equivalent diameters over 5 cm but not in smaller tumors. There was no difference in liver toxicity between the low and high-dose groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher radiotherapy dose is associated with improved local control in large tumors but not in tumors smaller than 5 cm in diameter. High-dose radiotherapy was not associated with increased liver toxicity.

Prognosis of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Transarterial Chemoembolization(MC-hccAI 001): Development and Validation of the ALFP Score

Background

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the recommended first-line treatment for intermediate-stage Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, predicting the survival of HCC patients receiving TACE remains challenging.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we analyzed a total of 1805 HCC patients who received TACE. The patients were randomly divided into a training set (n = 1264) and a validation set (n = 541). We examined various prognostic factors within the training set and developed a simple ALFP (ALBI grade, AFP, and Prothrombin time) score, which was subsequently validated using the independent validation set.

Results

Our multivariate analysis revealed that baseline ALBI grade 2 or 3, AFP ≥ 100 ng/mL, and PT > 13.1 s were independent unfavorable prognostic factors for HCC patients receiving TACE (p < 0.05). Based on these findings, we constructed the ALFP score, which assigns 1 point each for ALBI grade 2 or 3, AFP ≥ 100 ng/mL, and PT > 13.1 s. The score has a range of 0 to 3, and higher scores are associated with poorer outcomes. The median overall survival (OS) varied significantly among different ALFP score groups, both in the training set and the validation set (p < 0.001). We further examined the ALFP score in subgroups based on tumor diameter and the number of intrahepatic lesions. In each subgroup, higher ALFP scores were consistently associated with lower OS (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study confirms the prognostic value of the ALFP score in predicting the survival of HCC patients undergoing TACE. The score incorporates easily obtainable baseline parameters and provides a simple and practical tool for risk stratification and treatment decision-making in HCC patients.

A Novel Nomogram for Predicting the Overall Survival in Patients with Unresectable HCC after TACE plus Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Transarterial chemoembolization combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (TACE-HAIC) has shown encouraging efficacy in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to develop a novel nomogram to predict overall survival (OS) of patients with unresectable HCC treated with TACE-HAIC.

METHODS

A total of 591 patients with unresectable HCC treated with TACE-HAIC between May 2009 and September 2020 were enrolled. These patients were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts. The independent prognostic factors were identified with Cox proportional hazards model. The model's discriminative ability and accuracy were validated using concordance index (C-index), calibration plots, the area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and decision curve analyses (DCAs).

RESULTS

The median OS was 15.6 months. A nomogram was established based on these factors, including tumor size, vein invasion, extrahepatic metastasis, tumor number, alpha fetoprotein (AFP), and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI), to predict OS for patients with unresectable HCC treated with TACE-HAIC. The C-index of the nomogram were 0.717 in the training cohort and 0.724 in validation cohort. The calibration plots demonstrated good agreement between the predicted outcomes and the actual observations. The AUC values were better than those of three conventional staging systems. The results of DCA indicated that the nomogram may have clinical usefulness. The patients in the low-risk group had a longer OS than those in intermediate-risk and high-risk groups (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

A prognostic nomogram was developed and validated to assist clinicians in accurately predicting the OS of patients with unresectable HCC after TACE-HAIC.

Development and Validation of Novel Models Including Tumor Micronecrosis for Predicting the Postoperative Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

The heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) leads to the unsatisfying predictive performance of current staging systems. HCC patients with pathological tumor micronecrosis have an immunosuppressive microenvironment. We aimed to develop novel prognostic models by integrating micronecrosis to predict the survival of HCC patients after hepatectomy more precisely.

Methods

We enrolled 765 HCC patients receiving curative hepatic resection. They were randomly divided into a training cohort (n= 536) and a validation cohort (n = 229). We developed two prognostic models for postoperative recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) based on independent factors identified through multivariate Cox regression analyses. The predictive performance was assessed using the Harrell concordance index (C-index) and the time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, compared with six conventional staging systems.

Results

The RFS and OS nomograms were developed based on tumor micronecrosis, tumor size, albumin-bilirubin grade, tumor number and prothrombin time. The C-indexes for the RFS nomogram and OS nomogram were respectively 0.66 (95% CI, 0.62-0.69) and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.69-0.79) in the training cohort, which was significantly better than those of the six common staging systems (0.52-0.61 for RFS and 0.53-0.63 for OS). The results were further confirmed in the validation group, with the C-indexes being 0.66 and 0.77 for the RFS and OS nomograms, respectively.

Conclusion

The two nomograms could more accurately predict RFS and OS in HCC patients receiving curative hepatic resection, thereby aiding in formulating personalized postoperative follow-up plans.

Development of a risk score to predict portal vein tumor thrombosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is a common complication of hepatocellular carcinoma and is one of the most negative prognostic factors. The management of patients with PVTT is challenging. The aim of the study was to develop a score predictive of tumor thrombosis.

METHODS

Data from a large cohort of 2243 hepatocellular carcinoma patients (all stages) recorded in the Progetto Epatocarcinoma Campania (January 2013-April 2021) database were analyzed. To construct the score, univariate generalized estimated equation models, the bootstrap approach for internal validation, and a regression coefficient-based scoring system were used.

RESULTS

PVTT (any location) was found in 14.4% of cases and was related to shorter survival. Males, younger patients, and symptomatic cases were more prevalent among the PVTT group. At multivariate analysis, size ≥5 cm, massive or infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma growth, and alpha-fetoprotein ≥400 ng/mL were significantly associated with PVTT. A risk prediction score of PVTT based on eight variables was developed. Using a continuous score, the risk was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.30 (1.27-1.34; P  < 0.001). Considering a dichotomous score >8 versus a score ≤8 the OR for PVTT was 11.33 (8.55-15.00; P  < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The risk score for PVTT might be useful for clinicians to optimize hepatocellular carcinoma management by picking out patients with more aggressive cancers and higher mortality rates. Prospective validation of the score is needed before its application in daily clinical practice.

Noninvasive imaging-based machine learning algorithm to identify progressive disease in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving second-line systemic therapy

The aim of this study was to predict tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) plus anti-PD-1 antibodies (TKI-PD-1) efficacy as second-line treatment in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using radiomics analysis. From November 2018 to November 2019, a total of 55 patients were included. Radiomic features were obtained from the CT images before treatment and filtered using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) methods. Subsequently, ten prediction algorithms were developed and validated based on radiomic characteristics. The accuracy of the constructed model was measured through area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis; survival analysis was performed via Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Overall, 18 (32.7%) out of 55 patients had progressive disease. Through ICCs and LASSO, ten radiomic features were entered into the algorithm construction and validation. Ten machine learning algorithms showed different accuracies, with the support vector machine (SVM) model having the highest AUC value of 0.933 in the training cohort and 0.792 in the testing cohort. The radiomic features were associated with overall survival. In conclsion, the SVM algorithm is a useful method to predict TKI-PD-1 efficacy in patients with advanced HCC using images taken prior to treatment.

Handheld photoacoustic imaging of indocyanine green clearance for real-time quantitative evaluation of liver reserve function

Preoperative assessment of liver function reserve (LFR) is essential for determining the extent of liver resection and predicting the prognosis of patients with liver disease. In this paper, we present a real-time, handheld photoacoustic imaging (PAI) system-based noninvasive approach for rapid LFR assessment. A linear-array ultrasound transducer was sealed in a housing filled with water; its front end was covered with a plastic wrap. This PAI system was first implemented on phantoms to confirm that the photoacoustic (PA) intensity of indocyanine green (ICG) in blood reflects the concentration of ICG in blood. In vivo studies on normal rabbits and rabbits with liver fibrosis were carried out by recording the dynamic PA signal of ICG in their jugular veins. By analyzing the PA intensity-time curve, a clear difference was identified in the pharmacokinetic behavior of ICG between the two groups. In normal rabbits, the mean ICG clearance rate obtained by PAI at 15 min after administration (PAI-R15) was below 21.6%, whereas in rabbits with liver fibrosis, PAI-R15 exceeded 62.0% because of poor liver metabolism. The effectiveness of the proposed method was further validated by the conventional ICG clearance test and pathological examination. Our findings suggest that PAI is a rapid, noninvasive, and convenient method for LFR assessment and has immense potential for assisting clinicians in diagnosing and managing patients with liver disease.

Clinical Utility of Albumin Bilirubin Grade as a Prognostic Marker in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Transarterial Chemoembolization: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Hepatic function is a key prognostic marker in patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) and central to patient selection for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). We investigated the clinical utility of the Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) grade, an emerging prognostic model, in this heterogenous cohort via a meta-analysis of published studies.

METHODS

Publications including full text articles and abstracts regarding ALBI grade were sourced by two independent researchers from databases including PubMed, Embase, Medline and Cochrane Library. Studies analysing patients with HCC undergoing TACE treatment were systematically screened utilising the PRISMA tool for data extraction and synthesis, after exclusion of duplicates, irrelevant studies and overlapping cohorts. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), as determined by ALBI grade and assessed by hazard ratio (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with analysis of collated data using comprehensive meta-analysis, version 3.0 software.

RESULTS

Eight studies were included, with a pooled population of 6538 patients with HCC that underwent TACE treatment. Higher pre-treatment grade was associated with poor OS, with median OS of 12.0 months (P < 0.001) in ALBI grade 3, compared to 33.5 months in ALBI grade 1 (P < 0.001). Significant heterogeneity within each ALBI grade was associated with age and tumour size (P < 0.001) in ALBI grades 1 and 2. In contrast, age and alcohol-related liver disease were significant in the ALBI grade 3 group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

High pre-treatment ALBI grade is associated with poorer prognosis in patients with HCC undergoing TACE therapy. The ALBI grade demonstrates clinical utility for clinical prognostication and patient selection for TACE.