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Martínez Burgos M, González Grande R, López Ortega S, Santaella Leiva I, de la Cruz Lombardo J, Santoyo Santoyo J, Jiménez Pérez M. Liver Transplantation for Hepatocarcinoma: Results over Two Decades of a Transplantation Programme and Analysis of Factors Associated with Recurrence. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1302. [PMID: 38927509 PMCID: PMC11200972 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, many studies have attempted to develop models to predict the recurrence of hepatocarcinoma after liver transplantation. METHOD A single-centre, retrospective cohort study analysed patients receiving transplants due to hepatocarcinoma during the 20 years of the transplant programme. We analysed patient survival, hepatocarcinoma recurrence and the influence of the different factors described in the literature as related to hepatocarcinoma recurrence. We compared the results of previous items between the first and second decades of the transplantation programme (1995-2010 and 2010-2020). RESULTS Of 265 patients, the patient survival rate was 68% at 5 years, 58% at 10 years, 45% at 15 years and 34% at 20 years. The overall recurrence rate of hepatocarcinoma was 14.5%, without differences between periods. Of these, 54% of recurrences occurred early, in the first two years after transplantation. Of the parameters analysed, an alpha-fetoprotein level of >16 ng/mL, the type of immunosuppression used and the characteristics of the pathological anatomy of the explant were significant. A trend towards statistical significance was identified for the number of nodules and the size of the largest nodule. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop a model with a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 35.7% to predict recurrences in our cohort. Regarding the comparison between periods, the survival and recurrence rates of hepatocarcinoma were similar. The impact of the factors analysed in both decades was similar. CONCLUSIONS Most recurrences occur during the first two years post-transplantation, so closer follow-ups should be performed during this period, especially in those patients where the model predicts a high risk of recurrence. The detection of patients at higher risk of recurrence allows for closer follow-up and may, in the future, make them candidates for adjuvant or neoadjuvant systemic therapies to transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Martínez Burgos
- Liver Transplant Unit, Digestive System Department, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Malaga, Spain; (R.G.G.); (S.L.O.); (I.S.L.); (J.d.l.C.L.); (M.J.P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomedica de Plataforma en Nanomedicina—IBIMA Plataforma Bionand, 29590 Malaga, Spain;
| | - Rocío González Grande
- Liver Transplant Unit, Digestive System Department, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Malaga, Spain; (R.G.G.); (S.L.O.); (I.S.L.); (J.d.l.C.L.); (M.J.P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomedica de Plataforma en Nanomedicina—IBIMA Plataforma Bionand, 29590 Malaga, Spain;
| | - Susana López Ortega
- Liver Transplant Unit, Digestive System Department, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Malaga, Spain; (R.G.G.); (S.L.O.); (I.S.L.); (J.d.l.C.L.); (M.J.P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomedica de Plataforma en Nanomedicina—IBIMA Plataforma Bionand, 29590 Malaga, Spain;
| | - Inmaculada Santaella Leiva
- Liver Transplant Unit, Digestive System Department, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Malaga, Spain; (R.G.G.); (S.L.O.); (I.S.L.); (J.d.l.C.L.); (M.J.P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomedica de Plataforma en Nanomedicina—IBIMA Plataforma Bionand, 29590 Malaga, Spain;
| | - Jesús de la Cruz Lombardo
- Liver Transplant Unit, Digestive System Department, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Malaga, Spain; (R.G.G.); (S.L.O.); (I.S.L.); (J.d.l.C.L.); (M.J.P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomedica de Plataforma en Nanomedicina—IBIMA Plataforma Bionand, 29590 Malaga, Spain;
| | - Julio Santoyo Santoyo
- Instituto de Investigación Biomedica de Plataforma en Nanomedicina—IBIMA Plataforma Bionand, 29590 Malaga, Spain;
- Liver Transplant Unit, General Surgery and Digestive System Department, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Malaga, Spain
| | - Miguel Jiménez Pérez
- Liver Transplant Unit, Digestive System Department, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Malaga, Spain; (R.G.G.); (S.L.O.); (I.S.L.); (J.d.l.C.L.); (M.J.P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomedica de Plataforma en Nanomedicina—IBIMA Plataforma Bionand, 29590 Malaga, Spain;
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Yeo YH, Lee YT, Tseng HR, Zhu Y, You S, Agopian VG, Yang JD. Alpha-fetoprotein: Past, present, and future. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0422. [PMID: 38619448 PMCID: PMC11019827 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a glycoprotein that plays an important role in immune regulation with critical involvement in early human development and maintaining the immune balance during pregnancy. Postfetal development, the regulatory mechanisms controlling AFP undergo a shift and AFP gene transcription is suppressed. Instead, these enhancers refocus their activity to maintain albumin gene transcription throughout adulthood. During the postnatal period, AFP expression can increase in the setting of hepatocyte injury, regeneration, and malignant transformation. It is the first oncoprotein discovered and is routinely used as part of a screening strategy for HCC. AFP has been shown to be a powerful prognostic biomarker, and multiple HCC prognosis models confirmed the independent prognostic utility of AFP. AFP is also a useful predictive biomarker for monitoring the treatment response of HCC. In addition to its role as a biomarker, AFP plays important roles in immune modulation to promote tumorigenesis and thus has been investigated as a therapeutic target in HCC. In this review article, we aim to provide an overview of AFP, encompassing the discovery, biological role, and utility as an HCC biomarker in combination with other biomarkers and how it impacts clinical practice and future direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee Hui Yeo
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yi-Te Lee
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hsian-Rong Tseng
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yazhen Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Ronald Reagan Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sungyong You
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Vatche G. Agopian
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ju Dong Yang
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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3
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Franchi E, Dondossola DE, Marini GMF, Iavarone M, Del Prete L, Di Benedetto C, Donato MF, Antonelli B, Lampertico P, Caccamo L. Impact of Pre-Liver Transplant Treatments on the Imaging Accuracy of HCC Staging and Their Influence on Outcomes. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1043. [PMID: 38473400 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16051043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The outcome of liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocarcinoma (HCC) is strongly influenced by HCC staging, which is based on radiological examinations in a pre-LT setting; concordance between pre-LT radiological and definitive pathological staging remains controversial. To address this issue, we retrospectively analyzed our LT series to assess concordance between radiology and pathology and to explore the factors associated with poor concordance and outcomes. We included all LTs with an HCC diagnosis performed between 2013 and 2018. Concordance (Co group) was defined as a comparable tumor burden in preoperative imaging and post-transplant pathology; otherwise, non-concordance was diagnosed (nCo group). Concordance between radiology and pathology was observed in 32/134 patients (Co group, 24%). The number and diameter of the nodules were higher when nCo was diagnosed, as was the number of pre-LT treatments. Although concordance did not affect survival, more than three pre-LT treatments led to a lower disease-free survival. Patients who met the Milan Criteria (Milan-in patients) were more likely to receive ≥three prior treatments, leading to a lower survival in multi-treated Milan-in patients than in other Milan-in patients. In conclusion, the concordance rate between the pre-LT imaging and histopathological results was low in patients with a high number of nodules. Multiple bridging therapies reduce the accuracy of pre-LT imaging in predicting HCC stages and negatively affect outcomes after LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Franchi
- General and Liver Transplant Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Eliseo Dondossola
- General and Liver Transplant Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Maria Francesca Marini
- General and Liver Transplant Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Iavarone
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Del Prete
- General and Liver Transplant Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Di Benedetto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Donato
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Antonelli
- General and Liver Transplant Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Lucio Caccamo
- General and Liver Transplant Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
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He X, Xu S, Tang L, Ling S, Wei X, Xu X. Insights into the history and tendency of liver transplantation for liver cancer: a bibliometric-based visual analysis. Int J Surg 2024; 110:406-418. [PMID: 37800536 PMCID: PMC10793788 DOI: 10.1097/js9.0000000000000806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Research on liver transplantation (LT) for liver cancer has gained increasing attention. This paper has comprehensively described the current status, hotspots and trends in this field. A total of 2991 relevant articles from 1 January 1963 to 28 February 2023 were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection. VOSviewer and CiteSpace software were utilized as bibliometric tools to analyze and visualize knowledge mapping. Between 1963 and 2023, the number of papers in the area of LT for liver cancer increased continuously. A total of 70 countries/regions, 2303 institutions and 14 840 researchers have published research articles, with the United States and China being the two most productive countries. Our bibliometric-based visual analysis revealed the expansion of LT indications for liver cancer and the prevention/treatment of cancer recurrence as ongoing research hotspots over the past decades. Meanwhile, emerging studies also focus on downstaging/bridging treatments before LT and the long-term survival of LT recipient, in particular the precise application of immunosuppressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu He
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
| | - Shengjun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
| | - Linsong Tang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine
| | - Sunbin Ling
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
| | - Xiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Hoang TPT, Schindler P, Börner N, Masthoff M, Gerwing M, von Beauvais P, De Toni EN, Lange CM, Trebicka J, Morgül H, Seidensticker M, Ricke J, Pascher A, Guba M, Ingrisch M, Wildgruber M, Öcal O. Imaging-Derived Biomarkers Integrated with Clinical and Laboratory Values Predict Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Liver Transplantation. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:2277-2289. [PMID: 38143909 PMCID: PMC10740736 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s431503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the prognostic value of computed tomography (CT) derived imaging biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT) and develop a predictive nomogram model. Patients and Methods This retrospective study included 178 patients with histopathologically confirmed HCC who underwent liver transplantation between 2007 and 2021 at the two academic liver centers. We evaluated dedicated imaging features from baseline multiphase contrast-enhanced CT supplemented by several clinical findings and laboratory parameters. Time-to-recurrence was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Univariable Cox proportional hazard regression and multivariable Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression were used to assess independent prognostic factors for recurrence. A nomogram model was then built based on the independent factors selected through LASSO regression, to predict the probabilities of HCC recurrence at one, three, and five years. Results The rate of HCC recurrence after LT was 17.4% (31 of 178). The LASSO analysis revealed six independent predictors associated with an elevated risk of tumor recurrence. These predictors included the presence of peritumoral enhancement, the presence of over three tumor lesions, the largest tumor diameter greater than 3 cm, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels exceeding 400 ng/mL, and the presence of a tumor capsule. Conversely, a history of bridging therapies was found to be correlated with a reduced risk of HCC recurrence. In addition, Kaplan-Meier curves showed patients with irregular margin, satellite nodules, or small lesions displayed shorter time-to-recurrence. Our nomogram demonstrated good performance, yielding a C-index of 0.835 and AUC values of 0.86, 0.88, and 0.85 for the predictions of 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year TTR, respectively. Conclusion Imaging parameters derived from baseline contrast-enhanced CT showing malignant behavior and aggressive growth patterns, along with serum AFP and history of bridging therapies, show potential as biomarkers for predicting HCC recurrence after transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philipp Schindler
- Clinic for Radiology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Börner
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Max Masthoff
- Clinic for Radiology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Mirjam Gerwing
- Clinic for Radiology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | | | - Enrico N De Toni
- Department for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian M Lange
- Department for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department for Internal Medicine B, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Haluk Morgül
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Max Seidensticker
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jens Ricke
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Pascher
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Markus Guba
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Ingrisch
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz Wildgruber
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Osman Öcal
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Yang YQ, Wen ZY, Liu XY, Ma ZH, Liu YE, Cao XY, Hou L, Xie H. Current status and prospect of treatments for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Hepatol 2023; 15:129-150. [PMID: 36926237 PMCID: PMC10011906 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v15.i2.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to its heterogeneous and highly aggressive nature, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high recurrence rate, which is a non-negligible problem despite the increasing number of available treatment options. Recent clinical trials have attempted to reduce the recurrence and develop innovative treatment options for patients with recurrent HCC. In the event of liver remnant recurrence, the currently available treatment options include repeat hepatectomy, salvage liver transplantation, tumor ablation, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, stereotactic body radiotherapy, systemic therapies, and combination therapy. In this review, we summarize the strategies to reduce the recurrence of high-risk tumors and aggressive therapies for recurrent HCC. Additionally, we discuss methods to prevent HCC recurrence and prognostic models constructed based on predictors of recurrence to develop an appropriate surveillance program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Qing Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Zhen-Yu Wen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Liu
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Zhen-Hu Ma
- Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yan-E Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xue-Ying Cao
- Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Li Hou
- Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Hui Xie
- Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
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Degroote H, Geerts A, Verhelst X, Van Vlierberghe H. Different Models to Predict the Risk of Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Setting of Liver Transplantation. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122973. [PMID: 35740638 PMCID: PMC9221160 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Liver transplantation is considered the first-choice curative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in the early phase of the disease, when surgical resection is not possible. Even when implementing restrictive criteria to select patients for liver transplantation, there is a risk of recurrence in the transplanted liver, influencing the long-term outcome and prognosis. As it is challenging to predict the individual risk of recurrence, there is a need for validated and predictive scoring systems to use to stratify patients before and/or after liver transplantation. Most of the proposed scorings include biological markers for tumour behavior, in addition to the number and size of tumoral nodules. In this review, we discuss different published models to assess the risk of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after transplantation. Our aim is to refine clinical decisions about prioritization and listing for liver transplantation, to better inform patients and provide an appropriate surveillance strategy to influence their prognosis. Abstract Liver transplantation is the preferred therapeutic option for non-resectable hepatocellular carcinoma in early-stage disease. Taking into account the limited number of donor organs, liver transplantation is restricted to candidates with long-term outcomes comparable to benign indications on the waiting list. Introducing the morphometric Milan criteria as the gold standard for transplant eligibility reduced the recurrence rate. Even with strict patient selection, there is a risk of recurrence of between 8 and 20% in the transplanted liver, and this is of even greater importance when using more expanded criteria and downstaging protocols. Currently, it remains challenging to predict the risk of recurrence and the related prognosis for individual patients. In this review, the recurrence-risk-assessment scores proposed in the literature are discussed. Currently there is no consensus on the optimal model or the implications of risk stratification in clinical practice. The most recent scorings include additional biological markers for tumour behavior, such as alfa-foetoprotein, and the response to locoregional therapies, in addition to the number and diameter of tumoral nodules. The refinement of the prediction of recurrence is important to better inform patients, guide decisions about prioritization and listing and implement individualized surveillance strategies. In the future, this might also provide indications for tailored immunosuppressive therapy or inclusion in trials for adjuvant treatment.
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