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Lani L, Stefanini B, Trevisani F. Surveillance for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Successfully Treated Viral Disease of the Liver: A Systematic Review. Liver Cancer 2024; 13:376-388. [PMID: 39114761 PMCID: PMC11305665 DOI: 10.1159/000535497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been proven to increase the proportion of tumors detected at early stages and the chance of receiving curative therapies, reducing mortality by about 30%. Summary Current recommendations consist of a semi-annual abdominal ultrasound with or without serum alpha-fetoprotein measurement in patients with cirrhosis and specific subgroups of populations with chronic viral hepatitis. Antiviral therapies, such as nucleot(s)ide analogs that efficiently suppress the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and direct-acting antiviral drugs able to eliminate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in >90% of patients, have radically changed the outcomes of viral liver disease and decreased, but not eliminated, the risk of HCC in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. HCC risk is a key starting point for implementing a cost-effective surveillance and should also guide the decision-making process concerning its modality. As the global number of effectively treated viral patients continues to rise, there is a pressing need to identify those for whom the benefit-to-harm ratio of surveillance is favorable and to determine how to conduct cost-effective screening on such patients. Key Messages This article addresses this topic and attempts to determine which patients should continue HCC surveillance after HBV suppression or HCV eradication, based on cost-effectiveness principles and the fact that HCC risk declines over time. We also formulate a proposal for a surveillance algorithm that switches the use of surveillance for HCC from the "one-size-fits-all" approach to individualized programs based on oncologic risk (precision surveillance).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Lani
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver, and Alcohol-related diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Benedetta Stefanini
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver, and Alcohol-related diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Franco Trevisani
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver, and Alcohol-related diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Vithayathil M, Qurashi M, Vicente PR, Alsafi A, Naik M, Graham A, Khan S, Lewis H, Dhar A, Smith B, Selvapatt N, Manousou P, Possamai L, Izadi H, Lim A, Tait P, Sharma R. Prospective Study of Non-Contrast, Abbreviated MRI for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance in Patients with Suboptimal Hepatic Visualisation on Ultrasound. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2709. [PMID: 39123437 PMCID: PMC11312001 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16152709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biannual ultrasound (US) is recommended for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance in patients with cirrhosis. However, US has limited sensitivity for early-stage HCC, particularly in overweight cohorts, where hepatic visualisation is often inadequate. Currently there are no robust imaging surveillance strategies in patients with inadequate US visualisation. We investigated the ability of non-contrast, abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (aMRI) to adequately visualise the liver for HCC surveillance in patients with previously inadequate US. METHODS Patients undergoing US surveillance, where liver visualisation was inadequate (LI-RADS VIS-B and VIS-C), were prospectively recruited. Patients underwent non-contrast T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted aMRI. The images were reviewed and reported by an expert liver radiologist. Three independent, blinded radiologists assessed the aMRI visualisation quality using a binary score assessing five parameters (parenchymal definition, vascular definition, coverage of the liver, uniformity of liver appearance and signal-to-noise ratio). RESULTS Thirty patients completed the aMRI protocol. The majority (90%) had underlying cirrhosis and were overweight (93.3%), with 50% obese and 20% severely obese. A total of 93.3% of the aMRI scans were of satisfactory quality. Six patients (20%) had hepatic abnormalities detected with aMRI that were not seen on their US: one HCC, one haemangioma and three clinically insignificant lesions. For the aMRI visualisation quality assessment, the coverage of the liver, vascular definition and parenchymal definition were consistently rated to be of sufficient quality by all three radiologists. CONCLUSIONS Non-contrast aMRI provided good visualisation of the liver and detection of abnormalities in patients with inadequate US. aMRI should be further explored in a larger, prospective study as an alternative surveillance strategy in patients with inadequate US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Vithayathil
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK; (M.V.)
| | - Maria Qurashi
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK; (M.V.)
| | | | - Ali Alsafi
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK
| | - Mitesh Naik
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK;
| | - Alison Graham
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK
| | - Shahid Khan
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK (A.D.); (N.S.)
| | - Heather Lewis
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK (A.D.); (N.S.)
| | - Ameet Dhar
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK (A.D.); (N.S.)
| | - Belinda Smith
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK (A.D.); (N.S.)
| | - Nowlan Selvapatt
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK (A.D.); (N.S.)
| | - Pinelopi Manousou
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK (A.D.); (N.S.)
| | - Lucia Possamai
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK (A.D.); (N.S.)
| | - Hooshang Izadi
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Adrian Lim
- Department of Radiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK
| | - Paul Tait
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK
| | - Rohini Sharma
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK; (M.V.)
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Maung ST, Tanpowpong N, Satja M, Treeprasertsuk S, Chaiteerakij R. MRI for hepatocellular carcinoma and the role of abbreviated MRI for surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024. [PMID: 38899804 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitutes the majority of liver cancers and significantly impacts global cancer mortality. While ultrasound (US) with or without alpha-fetoprotein is the mainstay for HCC surveillance, its limitations highlight the necessity for more effective surveillance tools. Therefore, this review explores evolving imaging modalities and abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (AMRI) protocols as promising alternatives, addressing challenges in HCC surveillance. AREAS COVERED This comprehensive review delves into the evaluation and challenges of HCC surveillance tools, focusing on non-contrast abbreviated MRI (NC-AMRI) and contrast-enhanced abbreviated MRI protocols. It covers the implementation of AMRI for HCC surveillance, patient preferences, adherence, and strategies for optimizing cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the article provides insights into prospects for HCC surveillance by summarizing meta-analyses, prospective studies, and ongoing clinical trials evaluating AMRI protocols. EXPERT OPINION The opinions underscore the transformative impact of AMRI on HCC surveillance, especially in overcoming US limitations. Promising results from NC-AMRI protocols indicate its potential for high-risk patient surveillance, though prospective studies in true surveillance settings are essential for validation. Future research should prioritize risk-stratified AMRI protocols and address cost-effectiveness for broader clinical implementation, alongside comparative analyses with US for optimal surveillance strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soe Thiha Maung
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Ma Har Myaing Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Natthaporn Tanpowpong
- Division of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Minchanat Satja
- Division of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sombat Treeprasertsuk
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Roongruedee Chaiteerakij
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Innovation and Endoscopy in Gastrointestinal Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Singal AG, Parikh ND, Shetty K, Han SH, Xie C, Ning J, Rinaudo JA, Arvind A, Lok AS, Kanwal F. Natural History of Indeterminate Liver Nodules in Patients With Advanced Liver Disease: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study. Am J Gastroenterol 2024:00000434-990000000-01151. [PMID: 38686922 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Indeterminate liver nodules (ILNs) are frequently encountered on diagnostic imaging after positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance results, but their natural history remains unclear. METHODS We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study among patients with ≥1 newly detected LI-RADS 3 (LR-3) lesion ≥1 cm or LI-RADS 4 (LR-4) lesion of any size (per LI-RADS v2018) between January 2018 and December 2019. Patients were followed with repeat imaging at each site per institutional standard of care. Multivariable Fine-Gray models were used to evaluate associations between potential risk factors and patient-level time-to-HCC diagnosis, with death and liver transplantation as competing risks. RESULTS Of 307 patients with ILNs, 208 had LR-3 lesions, 83 had LR-4 lesions, and 16 had both LR-3 and LR-4 lesions. HCC incidence rates for patients with LR-3 and LR-4 lesions were 110 (95% CI 70-150) and 420 (95% CI 310-560) per 1,000 person-year, respectively. In multivariable analysis, incident HCC among patients with LR-3 lesions was associated with older age, thrombocytopenia (platelet count ≤150 ×10 9 /L), and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. Among those with LR-4 lesions, incident HCC was associated with a maximum lesion diameter >1 cm. Although most patients had follow-up computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, 13.7% had no follow-up imaging and another 14.3% had follow-up ultrasound only. DISCUSSION ILNs have a high but variable risk of HCC, with 4-fold higher risk in patients with LR-4 lesions than those with LR-3 lesions, highlighting a need for accurate risk stratification tools and close follow-up in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit G Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Neehar D Parikh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kirti Shetty
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven-Huy Han
- Pfleger Liver Institute, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Cassie Xie
- Department of Biostatistics, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jing Ning
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Ashwini Arvind
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Anna S Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Fasiha Kanwal
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- VA HSR'D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Mendiratta-Lala M, Fetzer D, Kamaya A, Parikh ND, Singal AG. The Future Role of Abdominal US in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance. Radiology 2024; 311:e232624. [PMID: 38742973 PMCID: PMC11140528 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.232624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Abdominal US is currently the best-validated surveillance strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in at-risk patients. It is the only modality shown to have completed all five phases of validation and can achieve high sensitivity and specificity for HCC detection, especially when conducted by expert sonographers in high-volume centers. However, US also has limitations, including operator dependency and varying sensitivity in clinical practice. Further, the sensitivity of US for early-stage HCC detection is lower in patients with obesity or nonviral liver disease, increasingly common populations undergoing surveillance. Imaging-based and blood-based surveillance strategies, including abbreviated MRI and biomarker panels, may overcome some limitations of US-based surveillance. Both strategies have promising test performance in phase II and phase III biomarker studies and are undergoing prospective validation. Considering the variation in HCC risk and test performance between patients, there will likely be a shift away from a one-size-fits-all approach and toward precision screening, in which the "best" test is selected based on individual patient characteristics. In this upcoming era of precision HCC screening among patients with cirrhosis, US will likely continue to have an important, albeit reduced, surveillance role.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aya Kamaya
- From the Departments of Radiology (M.M.L.) and Internal Medicine
(N.D.P.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich; Department of Radiology
(D.F.) and Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver
Diseases (A.G.S.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5959 Harry
Hines Blvd, Ste 420, POB 1, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; and Department of Radiology,
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (A.K.)
| | - Neehar D. Parikh
- From the Departments of Radiology (M.M.L.) and Internal Medicine
(N.D.P.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich; Department of Radiology
(D.F.) and Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver
Diseases (A.G.S.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5959 Harry
Hines Blvd, Ste 420, POB 1, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; and Department of Radiology,
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (A.K.)
| | - Amit G. Singal
- From the Departments of Radiology (M.M.L.) and Internal Medicine
(N.D.P.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich; Department of Radiology
(D.F.) and Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver
Diseases (A.G.S.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5959 Harry
Hines Blvd, Ste 420, POB 1, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; and Department of Radiology,
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (A.K.)
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6
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Kim DH, Yoon JH, Choi MH, Lee CH, Kang TW, Kim HA, Ku YM, Lee JM, Kim SH, Kim KA, Lee SL, Choi JI. Comparison of non-contrast abbreviated MRI and ultrasound as surveillance modalities for HCC. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)00272-1. [PMID: 38636849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Ultrasonography (US) is recommended for HCC surveillance in high-risk patients but has limited performance in detecting early-stage HCC. We aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of biannual US and annual non-contrast abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (NC-AMRI) as HCC surveillance modalities in high-risk patients. METHODS This prospective, multicenter cohort study enrolled participants with an estimated annual risk of HCC greater than 5% between October 2015 and April 2017. Participants underwent six rounds of HCC surveillance at 6-month intervals, with both US and NC-AMRI at rounds 1, 3, and 5, and only US at rounds 2, 4, and 6. The sensitivity, diagnostic yield (DY), and false referral rate (FRR) for HCC detection by US and NC-AMRI were compared. RESULTS In total, 208 participants underwent 980 US and 516 NC-AMRI examinations during 30 months of follow-up. Among them, 34 HCCs were diagnosed in 31 participants, with 20 (64.5%) classified as very early-stage and 11 (35.5%) as early-stage HCC. The sensitivity of annual NC-AMRI (71.0%, 22/31) was marginally higher than that of biannual US (45.2%, 14/31; p = 0.077). NC-AMRI showed a significantly higher DY than US (4.26% vs. 1.43%, p <0.001), with a similar FRR (2.91% vs. 3.06%, p = 0.885). A simulation of alternating US and NC-AMRI at 6-month intervals yielded a sensitivity of 83.9% (26/31), significantly exceeding that of biannual US (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Annual NC-AMRI showed a marginally higher sensitivity than biannual US for HCC detection in high-risk patients. The DY of annual NC-AMRI was significantly higher than that of biannual US, without increasing the FRR. Thus, alternating US and NC-AMRI at 6-month intervals could be an optimal surveillance strategy for high-risk patients. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Current guidelines permit the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a surveillance tool for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients in whom ultrasonography (US) is inadequate. However, the specific indications, imaging sequences, and intervals for MRI surveillance remain unclear. In our study, we found that annual non-contrast abbreviated MRI exhibited marginally higher sensitivity and significantly better diagnostic yield than biannual US in patients at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Alternating US and non-contrast abbreviated MRI at 6-month intervals led to significantly improved sensitivity compared to biannual US, making it a potentially optimal surveillance strategy for high-risk patients. CLINICALTRIALS GOV IDENTIFIER NCT02551250.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hwan Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea; Current address: Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-Gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hee Yoon
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital and College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon Hyung Choi
- Department of Radiology, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Hee Lee
- Department of Radiology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Wook Kang
- Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun A Kim
- Department of Radiology, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Mi Ku
- Department of Radiology, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Min Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital and College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Hyun Kim
- Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Ah Kim
- Department of Radiology, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Lim Lee
- Department of Radiology, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Il Choi
- Department of Radiology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea.
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Narasimman M, Hernaez R, Cerda V, Lee M, Yekkaluri S, Khan A, Sood A, Gurley T, Quirk L, Liu Y, Kramer JR, Lee SC, Tiro JA, Murphy CC, Singal AG. Financial Burden of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening in Patients With Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 22:760-767.e1. [PMID: 37544418 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The overall value of hepatocellular carcinoma screening is defined by the balance of benefits and harms. Studies have only reported physical harms with none describing financial harms. METHODS We conducted a multicenter pragmatic randomized clinical trial of hepatocellular carcinoma screening outreach among 2872 patients with cirrhosis from March 2018 to April 2021. Patients with positive or indeterminate results and matched patients with negative results completed surveys at baseline and at follow-up measuring financial harms via Cancer Self-Administered Questionnaire and financial burden via Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy. Univariable and multivariable longitudinal regression analyses were performed to compare changes in financial harms across groups: true positive, true negative, false positive, and indeterminate. Semistructured interviews were conducted in a subset of patients, sampled by center and test result. RESULTS Of 311 patients who completed at least 1 follow-up survey (75% response rate), 37 had true positive, 133 true negative, 64 false positive, and 77 indeterminate results. Financial harms increased in true positive and false positive patients with no significant changes noted among those with true negative or indeterminate results. At follow-up, 21.8% of patients reported moderate-severe financial burden, which was not significantly associated with test results. Semistructured interviews revealed variation in the frequency and severity of financial harms based on test results, with increased harm in those with false positive results. CONCLUSIONS Financial harms of hepatocellular carcinoma screening vary by test result and can pose a barrier that must be considered when determining the optimal screening program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasa Narasimman
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Ruben Hernaez
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas; Department of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Vanessa Cerda
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - MinJae Lee
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Sruthi Yekkaluri
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Aisha Khan
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Anubha Sood
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Tami Gurley
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Lisa Quirk
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Yan Liu
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jennifer R Kramer
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas; Department of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Simon Craddock Lee
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jasmin A Tiro
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Caitlin C Murphy
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Amit G Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health Hospital System, Dallas, Texas.
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8
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Daher D, Seif El Dahan K, Cano A, Gonzales M, Ransom C, Jaurez E, Carranza O, Quirk L, Morgan T, Gopal P, Patel MS, Lieber S, Louissaint J, Cotter TG, VanWagner LB, Yang JD, Parikh ND, Yopp A, Rich NE, Singal AG. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance Patterns and Outcomes in Patients With Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 22:295-304.e2. [PMID: 37573986 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance is associated with improved early detection and reduced mortality, although practice patterns and effectiveness vary in clinical practice. We aimed to characterize HCC surveillance patterns in a large, diverse cohort of patients with HCC. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with HCC between January 2008 and December 2022 at 2 large US health systems. We recorded imaging receipt in the year before HCC diagnosis: ultrasound plus α-fetoprotein (AFP), ultrasound alone, multiphasic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and no liver imaging. We used multivariable logistic and Cox regression analysis to compare early tumor detection, curative treatment receipt, and overall survival between surveillance strategies. RESULTS Among 2028 patients with HCC (46.7% Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A), 703 (34.7%) had ultrasound plus AFP, 293 (14.5%) had ultrasound alone, 326 (16.1%) had multiphasic CT/MRI, and 706 (34.8%) had no imaging in the year before HCC diagnosis. Over the study period, proportions without imaging were stable, whereas use of CT/MRI increased. Compared with no imaging, CT/MRI and ultrasound plus AFP, but not ultrasound alone, were associated with early stage HCC detection and curative treatment. Compared with ultrasound alone, CT/MRI and ultrasound plus AFP were associated with increased early stage detection. CONCLUSIONS HCC surveillance patterns vary in clinical practice and are associated with differing clinical outcomes. While awaiting data to determine if CT or MRI surveillance can be performed in a cost-effective manner in selected patients, AFP has a complementary role to ultrasound-based surveillance, supporting its adoption in practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darine Daher
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Karim Seif El Dahan
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Alva Cano
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Michael Gonzales
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Crystal Ransom
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Erik Jaurez
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Osiris Carranza
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Lisa Quirk
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Todd Morgan
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Purva Gopal
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Madhukar S Patel
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Sarah Lieber
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jeremy Louissaint
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Thomas G Cotter
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Lisa B VanWagner
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Ju Dong Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Neehar D Parikh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Adam Yopp
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Nicole E Rich
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Amit G Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
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Decharatanachart P, Pan-ngum W, Peeraphatdit T, Tanpowpong N, Tangkijvanich P, Treeprasertsuk S, Rerknimitr R, Chaiteerakij R. Cost-Utility Analysis of Non-Contrast Abbreviated Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance in Cirrhosis. Gut Liver 2024; 18:135-146. [PMID: 37560799 PMCID: PMC10791494 DOI: 10.5009/gnl230089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Ultrasonography has a low sensitivity for detecting early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients. Non-contrast abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (aMRI) demonstrated a comparable performance to that of magnetic resonance imaging without the risk of contrast media exposure and at a lower cost than that of full diagnostic MRI. We aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of non-contrast aMRI for HCC surveillance in cirrhotic patients, using ultrasonography with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as a reference. Methods Cost-utility analysis was performed using a Markov model in Thailand and the United States. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated using the total costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained in each strategy. Surveillance protocols were considered cost-effective based on a willingness-to-pay value of $4,665 (160,000 Thai Baht) in Thailand and $50,000 in the United States. Results aMRI was cost-effective in both countries with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of $3,667/QALY in Thailand and $37,062/QALY in the United States. Patient-level microsimulations showed consistent findings that aMRI was cost-effective in both countries. By probabilistic sensitivity analysis, aMRI was found to be more cost-effective than combined ultrasonography and AFP with a probability of 0.77 in Thailand and 0.98 in the United States. By sensitivity analyses, annual HCC incidence was revealed as the most influential factor affecting cost-effectiveness. The cost-effectiveness of aMRI increased in settings with a higher HCC incidence. At a higher HCC incidence, aMRI would remain cost-effective at a higher aMRI-to-ultrasonography with AFP cost ratio. Conclusions Compared to ultrasonography with AFP, non-contrast aMRI is a cost-effective strategy for HCC surveillance and may be useful for such surveillance in cirrhotic patients, especially in those with high HCC risks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wirichada Pan-ngum
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thoetchai Peeraphatdit
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Natthaporn Tanpowpong
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pisit Tangkijvanich
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sombat Treeprasertsuk
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rungsun Rerknimitr
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Innovation and Endoscopy in Gastrointestinal Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Roongruedee Chaiteerakij
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Innovation and Endoscopy in Gastrointestinal Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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10
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Ringe KI, Wang J, Deng Y, Pi S, Geahchan A, Taouli B, Bashir MR. Abbreviated MRI Protocols in the Abdomen and Pelvis. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 59:58-69. [PMID: 37144673 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abbreviated MRI (AMRI) protocols rely on the acquisition of a limited number of sequences tailored to a specific question. The main objective of AMRI protocols is to reduce exam duration and costs, while maintaining an acceptable diagnostic performance. AMRI is of increasing interest in the radiology community; however, challenges limiting clinical adoption remain. In this review, we will address main abdominal and pelvic applications of AMRI in the liver, pancreas, kidney, and prostate, including diagnostic performance, pitfalls, limitations, and cost effectiveness will also be discussed. Level of Evidence: 3 Technical Efficacy Stage: 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina I Ringe
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Radiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Deng
- Department of Radiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shan Pi
- Department of Radiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Amine Geahchan
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bachir Taouli
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mustafa R Bashir
- Department of Radiology, Center for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Development, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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11
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Chhatwal J, Hajjar A, Mueller PP, Nemutlu G, Kulkarni N, Peters MLB, Kanwal F. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Incidence Threshold for Surveillance in Virologically Cured Hepatitis C Individuals. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 22:91-101.e6. [PMID: 37302445 PMCID: PMC10709527 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Guidelines recommend biannual surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis C individuals with cirrhosis if the HCC incidence rate is above 1.5 per 100 person-years (PY). However, the incidence threshold for surveillance in individuals who achieve a virologic cure is unknown. We estimated the HCC incidence rate above which routine HCC surveillance is cost-effective in this growing population of virologically cured hepatitis C individuals with cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis. METHODS We developed a Markov-based microsimulation model of the natural history of HCC in individuals with hepatitis C who achieved virologic cure with oral direct-acting antivirals. We used published data on the natural history of hepatitis C, competing risk post virologic cure, HCC tumor progression, real-world HCC surveillance adherence, contemporary HCC treatment options and associated costs, and utilities of different health states. We estimated the HCC incidence above which biannual HCC surveillance using ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein would be cost-effective. RESULTS In virologically cured hepatitis C individuals with cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis, HCC surveillance is cost-effective if HCC incidence exceeds 0.7 per 100 PY using $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year willingness-to-pay. At this HCC incidence, routine HCC surveillance would result in 2650 and 5700 additional life years per 100,000 cirrhosis and advanced fibrosis persons, respectively, compared with no surveillance. At $150,000 willingness-to-pay, surveillance is cost-effective if HCC incidence exceeds 0.4 per 100 PY. Sensitivity analysis showed that the threshold mostly remained below 1.5 per 100 PY. CONCLUSIONS The contemporary HCC incidence threshold is much lower than the previous 1.5% incidence value used to guide HCC surveillance decisions. Updating clinical guidelines could improve the early diagnosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagpreet Chhatwal
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts; Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Ali Hajjar
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business & Entrepreneurship, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia
| | - Peter P Mueller
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gizem Nemutlu
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Brandeis International Business School, Brandeis University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Neeti Kulkarni
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mary Linton B Peters
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Medical Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Fasiha Kanwal
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Houston Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas
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12
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Narasimman M, Hernaez R, Cerda V, Lee M, Sood A, Yekkaluri S, Khan A, Quirk L, Liu Y, Kramer JR, Craddock Lee S, Murphy CC, Tiro JA, Singal AG. Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance may be associated with potential psychological harms in patients with cirrhosis. Hepatology 2024; 79:107-117. [PMID: 37401857 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The value of HCC surveillance is determined by the balance between benefits and harms; however, no studies have enumerated psychological harms. APPROACH AND RESULTS We fielded surveys measuring psychological harms to patients with cirrhosis in a multicenter randomized trial of HCC surveillance outreach. All patients with positive or indeterminate surveillance results and matched patients with negative results were invited to complete surveys measuring (1) depression through the Patient Health Questionnaire-ninth version, (2) anxiety through State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, (3) HCC-specific worry through Psychological Consequences Questionnaire, and (4) decisional regret. Patients were classified into 4 groups: true positive (TP), false positive (FP), indeterminate, and true negative (TN). Multivariable longitudinal regression analysis using the generalized estimating equation method was performed to compare the means of measures across groups. We conducted 89 semistructured interviews in a subset of patients stratified by health system and test results. Of 2872 patients in the trial, 311 completed 1+ follow-up survey (63 FP, 77 indeterminate, 38 TP, and 133 TN). Moderate depression decreased in TN patients, increased in TP, and had intermittent but mild increases in those with FP and indeterminate results. High anxiety temporarily increased in patients with TP results but resolved over time and was stable in those with FP and indeterminate results. Decisional regret was low and did not differ across groups. In semistructured interviews, patients reported apprehension, anxiety, emotional distress, and coping related to HCC surveillance. CONCLUSIONS Psychological harms of HCC surveillance appear mild but differ by test result. Future research should determine the impact of psychological harms on the value of HCC surveillance programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasa Narasimman
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ruben Hernaez
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Vanessa Cerda
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - MinJae Lee
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anubha Sood
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sruthi Yekkaluri
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Aisha Khan
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lisa Quirk
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yan Liu
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer R Kramer
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Caitlin C Murphy
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jasmin A Tiro
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Amit G Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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13
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Taouli B, Ba-Ssalamah A, Chapiro J, Chhatwal J, Fowler K, Kang TW, Knobloch G, Koh DM, Kudo M, Lee JM, Murakami T, Pinato DJ, Ringe KI, Song B, Tabrizian P, Wang J, Yoon JH, Zeng M, Zhou J, Vilgrain V. Consensus report from the 10th Global Forum for Liver Magnetic Resonance Imaging: developments in HCC management. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:9152-9166. [PMID: 37500964 PMCID: PMC10730664 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09928-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The 10th Global Forum for Liver Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was held as a virtual 2-day meeting in October 2021, attended by delegates from North and South America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Most delegates were radiologists with experience in liver MRI, with representation also from specialists in liver surgery, oncology, and hepatology. Presentations, discussions, and working groups at the Forum focused on the following themes: • Gadoxetic acid in clinical practice: Eastern and Western perspectives on current uses and challenges in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening/surveillance, diagnosis, and management • Economics and outcomes of HCC imaging • Radiomics, artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning (DL) applications of MRI in HCC. These themes are the subject of the current manuscript. A second manuscript discusses multidisciplinary tumor board perspectives: how to approach early-, mid-, and late-stage HCC management from the perspectives of a liver surgeon, interventional radiologist, and oncologist (Taouli et al, 2023). Delegates voted on consensus statements that were developed by working groups on these meeting themes. A consensus was considered to be reached if at least 80% of the voting delegates agreed on the statements. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This review highlights the clinical applications of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for liver cancer screening and diagnosis, as well as its cost-effectiveness and the applications of radiomics and AI in patients with liver cancer. KEY POINTS: • Interpretation of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI differs slightly between Eastern and Western guidelines, reflecting different regional requirements for sensitivity vs specificity. • Emerging data are encouraging for the cost-effectiveness of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in HCC screening and diagnosis, but more studies are required. • Radiomics and artificial intelligence are likely, in the future, to contribute to the detection, staging, assessment of treatment response and prediction of prognosis of HCC-reducing the burden on radiologists and other specialists and supporting timely and targeted treatment for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bachir Taouli
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular, and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Ahmed Ba-Ssalamah
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julius Chapiro
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jagpreet Chhatwal
- Department of Radiology, Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Fowler
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tae Wook Kang
- Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gesine Knobloch
- Global Medical and Clinical Affairs and Digital Development, Radiology, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dow-Mu Koh
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, UK
| | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jeong Min Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Takamichi Murakami
- Department of Radiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - David J Pinato
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
- Division of Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Kristina I Ringe
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bin Song
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Parissa Tabrizian
- Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Radiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Liver Disease Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jeong Hee Yoon
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Mengsu Zeng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Valérie Vilgrain
- Université Paris Cité and Department of Radiology, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, APHP Nord, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
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14
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Singal AG, Kanwal F, Llovet JM. Global trends in hepatocellular carcinoma epidemiology: implications for screening, prevention and therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:864-884. [PMID: 37884736 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00825-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mortality rates are increasing globally, and particularly in the Western world. Cirrhosis remains the predominant risk factor for HCC. However, epidemiological shifts in the incidence of HCC from patients with virus-related liver disease to those with non-viral aetiologies, including alcohol-associated and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, have important implications for prevention, surveillance and treatment. Hepatitis B vaccination and antiviral therapy for hepatitis B and C are effective for primary prevention of virus-related HCCs, but chemoprevention strategies for non-viral liver disease remain an unmet need. Emerging data suggest associations between aspirin, statins, metformin and coffee and reduced HCC incidence, although none has been proved to be causally related. Secondary prevention of HCC via semi-annual surveillance is associated with improvements in early detection and thus reduced mortality; however, current tools, including abdominal ultrasonography, have suboptimal sensitivity for the detection of early stage HCC, particularly in patients with obesity and/or non-viral liver disease. Promising blood-based or imaging-based surveillance strategies are emerging, although these approaches require further validation before adoption in clinical practice. In the interim, efforts should be focused on maximizing use of the existing surveillance tools given their prevalent underuse globally. Remarkable advances have been made in the treatment of HCC, including expanded eligibility for surgical therapies, improved patient selection for locoregional treatments and increased systemic treatment options, including immune-checkpoint inhibitors. In this Review, we discuss trends in the epidemiology of HCC and their implications for screening, prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit G Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Fasiha Kanwal
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- VA Health Services Research & Development Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety (IQuESt), Houston, TX, USA
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Josep M Llovet
- Mount Sinai Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Translational Research in Hepatic Oncology, Liver Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
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15
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Girardet R, Dubois M, Manasseh G, Jreige M, Du Pasquier C, Canniff E, Gulizia M, Bonvin M, Aleman Y, Taouli B, Fraga M, Dromain C, Vietti Violi N. The combination of non-contrast abbreviated MRI and alpha foetoprotein has high performance for hepatocellular carcinoma screening. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:6929-6938. [PMID: 37464111 PMCID: PMC10511584 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09906-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to compare two abbreviated MRI (AMRI) protocols to complete MRI for HCC detection: non-contrast (NC)-AMRI without/with alpha foetoprotein (AFP) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (Dyn)-AMRI. METHODS This retrospective single-center study included 351 patients (M/F: 264/87, mean age: 57y) with chronic liver disease, who underwent MRI for HCC surveillance between 2014 and 2020. Two reconstructed AMRI sets were obtained based on complete MRI: NC-AMRI (T2-weighted imaging (WI) + diffusion-WI) and Dyn-AMRI (T2-WI + dynamic T1-WI) and were assessed by 2 radiologists who reported all suspicious lesions, using LI-RADS/adapted LI-RADS classification. The reference standard was based on all available patient data. Inter-reader agreement was assessed and MRI diagnostic performance was compared to the reference standard. RESULTS The reference standard demonstrated 83/351 HCC-positive patients (prevalence: 23.6%, median size: 22 mm, and positive MRIs: 83/631). Inter-reader agreement was substantial for all sets. Sensitivities of Dyn-AMRI and complete MRI (both 92.8%) were similar, higher than NC-AMRI (72.3%, p < 0.001). Specificities were not different between sets. NC-AMRI + AFP (92.8%) had similar sensitivity to Dyn-AMRI and complete MRI. In patients with small size HCCs (≤ 2 cm), sensitivities of Dyn-AMRI (85.3%) and complete MRI (88.2%) remained similar (p = 0.564), also outperforming NC-AMRI (52.9%, p < 0.05). NC-AMRI + AFP had similar sensitivity (88.2%) to Dyn-AMRI and complete MRI (p = 0.706 and p = 1, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Dyn-AMRI has similar diagnostic performance to complete MRI for HCC detection, while both outperform NC-AMRI, especially for small size HCCs. NC-AMRI + AFP demonstrates similar sensitivity to Dyn-AMRI and complete MRI. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT Due to the low sensitivity of ultrasound for hepatocellular screening, new screening methods are needed. Abbreviated MRI (AMRI) is a candidate, especially non-contrast AMRI with serum alpha foetoprotein as the acquisition time is low, without the need for contrast medium injection. KEY POINTS • Dynamic contrast-enhanced abbreviated MRI using extracellular gadolinium-based contrast agent and complete MRI have similar diagnostic performance for hepatocellular carcinoma detection in an at-risk population. • Non-contrast abbreviated MRI with alpha foetoprotein has similar diagnostic performance to dynamic contrast-enhanced abbreviated MRI and complete MRI, including when considering small size hepatocellular carcinoma ≤ 2 cm. • Non-contrast abbreviated MRI and dynamic contrast-enhanced abbreviated MRI can be performed in 7 and 10 min, excluding patient setup time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaël Girardet
- Department of Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Margaux Dubois
- Department of Gastro-enterology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gibran Manasseh
- Department of Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mario Jreige
- Department of Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Céline Du Pasquier
- Department of Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Emma Canniff
- Department of Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marianna Gulizia
- Department of Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Melissa Bonvin
- Department of Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yasser Aleman
- Department of Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bachir Taouli
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Montserrat Fraga
- Department of Gastro-enterology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Clarisse Dromain
- Department of Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Naik Vietti Violi
- Department of Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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16
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Salaheldin M, Aly H, Lau L, Afify S, El-Kassas M. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Next Threat after Viral Hepatitis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2631. [PMID: 37627890 PMCID: PMC10453181 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13162631] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
For many years, we have faced the complications of viral hepatitis and alcohol-related liver diseases such as cirrhosis, decompensation, portal hypertension, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, we have seen a dynamic change in the field of hepatology. With the significant achievements in eradicating the hepatitis C virus by direct-acting antiviral agents and the rising epidemic of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome, there is a paradigm shift in the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Current data highlight the rapidly rising incidence of NAFLD-related HCC worldwide and expose the unseen part of the iceberg. In this review, we aim to update knowledge about the pathogenesis of NAFLD-induced HCC, surveillance difficulties, and promising disease markers. Molecular biomarkers, for example, may become a promising cornerstone for risk-stratified surveillance, early detection, and treatment selection for NAFLD-related HCC. Physicians can offer personalized and tailor-made clinical decisions for this unique patient subgroup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Salaheldin
- Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt; (M.S.); (H.A.)
| | - Heba Aly
- Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt; (M.S.); (H.A.)
| | - Louis Lau
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 518172, China;
| | - Shimaa Afify
- National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Cairo 11796, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Kassas
- Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, Egypt
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17
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Ronot M, Nahon P, Rimola J. Screening of liver cancer with abbreviated MRI. Hepatology 2023; 78:670-686. [PMID: 36896975 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Current recommendations for the surveillance of HCC are based on the semiannual liver ultrasound (with or without serum alpha-fetoprotein) in patients with cirrhosis and in subgroups with chronic hepatitis B infection. However, the sensitivity of this strategy is suboptimal for the detection of early-stage tumors, especially in obese patients, due to interoperator variability and poor adherence. The detection rate of focal liver lesions is excellent with MRI, making it the best alternative candidate for surveillance. However, performing a full contrast-enhanced MRI is unrealistic because of limited availability and health economics. Abbreviated MRI (AMRI) corresponds to the acquisition of a limited number of sequences with a high detection rate. The theoretical benefits of AMRI are a reduced acquisition time (≤10 min) with improved time-effectiveness and cost-effectiveness compared with conventional MRI, and greater accuracy than ultrasound. Numerous protocols may be performed, including T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and DWI sequences, with or without contrast administration. Although published studies report promising per-patient results, they should be interpreted with caution. Indeed, most studies were simulated, retrospectively reviewing a subset of sequences in relatively small populations who underwent a full MRI. They also included groups that were not representative of screening populations. In addition, most were published by Asian groups, with at-risk populations that were different from Western populations. There are no existing longitudinal studies that directly compare the different AMRI approaches or AMRI to ultrasound. Finally, it is possible that 1 approach will not fit all patients and that strategies should be tailored to the risk of HCC, in particular in relation to the cost and availability of AMRI. Several trials are ongoing to evaluate these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Ronot
- Department of Radiology, Hopital Beaujon, APHP.Nord, Clichy, France
- Université Paris Paris, CRI, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Nahon
- AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Seine Saint-Denis, APHP, Liver Unit, Bobigny
- Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, F-93000 Bobigny
- Inserm, UMR-1138 « Functional Genomics of solid tumors », Centre de recherche des Cordeliers, Université de Paris, Paris
| | - Jordi Rimola
- BCLC group, Radiology Department, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Spain
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18
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Singal AG, Sanduzzi-Zamparelli M, Nahon P, Ronot M, Hoshida Y, Rich N, Reig M, Vilgrain V, Marrero J, Llovet JM, Parikh ND, Villanueva A. International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) white paper on hepatocellular carcinoma risk stratification and surveillance. J Hepatol 2023; 79:226-239. [PMID: 36854345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Major research efforts in liver cancer have been devoted to increasing the efficacy and effectiveness of surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As with other cancers, surveillance programmes aim to detect tumours at an early stage, facilitate curative-intent treatment, and reduce cancer-related mortality. HCC surveillance is supported by a large randomised-controlled trial in patients with chronic HBV infection and several cohort studies in cirrhosis; however, effectiveness in clinical practice is limited by several barriers, including inadequate risk stratification, underuse of surveillance, and suboptimal accuracy of screening tests. There are several proposed strategies to address these limitations, including risk stratification algorithms and biomarkers to better identity at-risk individuals, interventions to increase surveillance, and emerging imaging- and blood-based surveillance tests with improved sensitivity and specificity for early HCC detection. Beyond clinical validation, data are needed to establish clinical utility, i.e. increased early tumour detection and reduced HCC-related mortality. If successful, these data could facilitate a precision screening paradigm in which surveillance strategies are tailored to individual HCC risk to maximise overall surveillance value. However, practical and logistical considerations must be considered when designing and implementing these validation efforts. To address these issues, ILCA (the International Liver Cancer Association) adjourned a single topic workshop on HCC risk stratification and surveillance in June 2022. Herein, we present a white paper on these topics, including the status of the field, ongoing research efforts, and barriers to the translation of emerging strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit G Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Marco Sanduzzi-Zamparelli
- BCLC Group, Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions, Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pierre Nahon
- APHP, Liver Unit, Bobigny, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, F-93000 Bobigny, France; Inserm, UMR-1138 "Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors", Centre de recherche des Cordeliers, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Ronot
- Université Paris Cité, CRI INSERM UMR 1149, Paris & Department of radiology, Hôpital Beaujon, APHP. Nord, Clichy, France
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nicole Rich
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Maria Reig
- BCLC Group, Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions, Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Valerie Vilgrain
- Université Paris Cité, CRI INSERM UMR 1149, Paris & Department of radiology, Hôpital Beaujon, APHP. Nord, Clichy, France
| | - Jorge Marrero
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Josep M Llovet
- Mount Sinai Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Translational Research in Hepatic Oncology, Liver Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Neehar D Parikh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Augusto Villanueva
- Mount Sinai Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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19
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Lee YT, Fujiwara N, Yang JD, Hoshida Y. Risk stratification and early detection biomarkers for precision HCC screening. Hepatology 2023; 78:319-362. [PMID: 36082510 PMCID: PMC9995677 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mortality remains high primarily due to late diagnosis as a consequence of failed early detection. Professional societies recommend semi-annual HCC screening in at-risk patients with chronic liver disease to increase the likelihood of curative treatment receipt and improve survival. However, recent dynamic shift of HCC etiologies from viral to metabolic liver diseases has significantly increased the potential target population for the screening, whereas annual incidence rate has become substantially lower. Thus, with the contemporary HCC etiologies, the traditional screening approach might not be practical and cost-effective. HCC screening consists of (i) definition of rational at-risk population, and subsequent (ii) repeated application of early detection tests to the population at regular intervals. The suboptimal performance of the currently available HCC screening tests highlights an urgent need for new modalities and strategies to improve early HCC detection. In this review, we overview recent developments of clinical, molecular, and imaging-based tools to address the current challenge, and discuss conceptual framework and approaches of their clinical translation and implementation. These encouraging progresses are expected to transform the current "one-size-fits-all" HCC screening into individualized precision approaches to early HCC detection and ultimately improve the poor HCC prognosis in the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Te Lee
- California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Naoto Fujiwara
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Ju Dong Yang
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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20
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Chhatwal J, Samur S, Yang JD, Roberts LR, Nguyen MH, Ozbay AB, Ayer T, Parikh ND, Singal AG. Effectiveness of HCC surveillance programs using multitarget blood test: A modeling study. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0146. [PMID: 37204402 PMCID: PMC10538878 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effectiveness of ultrasound-based surveillance for HCC in patients with cirrhosis is limited by suboptimal sensitivity for early tumor detection and poor adherence. Emerging blood-based biomarkers have been proposed as an alternative surveillance strategy. We aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of a multitarget HCC blood test (mt-HBT)-with and without improved adherence-against ultrasound-based HCC surveillance. METHODS We developed a Markov-based mathematical model that simulated a virtual trial in patients with compensated cirrhosis comparing potential surveillance strategies: biannual surveillance using ultrasound, ultrasound plus AFP, and mt-HBT with or without improved adherence (+10% increase). We used published data to inform underlying liver disease progression rates, HCC tumor growth patterns, performance characteristics of surveillance modalities, and efficacy of treatments. Primary outcomes of interest were the number of early-stage HCCs detected and life years gained. RESULTS Per 100,000 patients with cirrhosis, mt-HBT detected 1680 more early-stage HCCs than ultrasound alone and 350 more early-stage HCCs than ultrasound + AFP, yielding an additional 5720 and 1000 life years, respectively. mt-HBT with improved adherence detected 2200 more early-stage HCCs than ultrasound and 880 more early-stage HCCs than ultrasound + AFP, yielding an additional 8140 and 3420 life years, respectively. The number of screening tests needed to detect one HCC case was 139 with ultrasound, 122 with ultrasound + AFP, 119 with mt-HBT, and 124 with mt-HBT with improved adherence. CONCLUSIONS mt-HBT is a promising alternative to ultrasound-based HCC surveillance, particularly given anticipated improved adherence with blood-based biomarkers could increase HCC surveillance effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagpreet Chhatwal
- Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Technology Assessment, Harvard Medical School, Department of Radiology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Ju Dong Yang
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lewis R. Roberts
- Mayo Clinic, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mindie H. Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | | | - Turgay Ayer
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Amit G. Singal
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Dallas, Texas, USA
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21
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Karim MA, Singal AG, Kum HC, Lee YT, Park S, Rich NE, Noureddin M, Yang JD. Prediagnostic CT or MRI Utilization and Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: SEER-Medicare Database Analysis. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:874-883. [PMID: 37377892 PMCID: PMC10187587 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound-based surveillance has suboptimal sensitivity for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) detection, generating interest in alternative surveillance modalities. We aim to investigate the association between prediagnostic CT or MRI and overall survival in a contemporary cohort of patients with HCC. Using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database, we analyzed Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with HCC between 2011 and 2015. Proportion of time covered (PTC) was defined as the proportion of the 36-month period prior to HCC diagnosis in which patients had received abdominal imaging (ultrasound, CT, MRI). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to investigate the association between PTC and overall survival. Among 5,098 patients with HCC, 3,293 (65%) patients had abdominal imaging prior to HCC diagnosis, of whom 67% had CT/MRI. Median PTC by any abdominal imaging was 5.6% [interquartile range (IQR): 0%-36%], with few patients having PTC >50%. Compared with no abdominal images, ultrasound [adjusted HR (aHR): 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79-0.95] and CT/MRI group (aHR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.63-0.74) were associated with improved survival. Lead-time adjusted analysis showed improved survival continued to be observed with CT/MRI (aHR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.74-0.87) but not ultrasound (aHR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.91-1.10). Increased PTC was associated with improved survival, with a larger effect size observed with CT/MRI (aHR per 10%: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91-0.95) than ultrasound (aHR per 10%: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.95-0.98). In conclusion, PTC by abdominal images was associated with improved survival in patients with HCC, with potential greater benefit using CT/MRI. Regular utilization of CT/MRI before cancer diagnosis may have potential survival benefit compared to ultrasound in patients with HCC. Significance Our population-based study using SEER-Medicare database demonstrated that proportion of time covered by abdominal imaging was associated with improved survival in patients with HCC, with potential greater benefit using CT/MRI. The results suggest that CT/MRI surveillance may have potential survival benefit compared with ultrasound surveillance in high-risk patients for HCC. A larger prospective study should be conducted for external validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A. Karim
- Population Informatics Lab, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Amit G. Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Hye Chung Kum
- Population Informatics Lab, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Yi-Te Lee
- California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sulki Park
- Population Informatics Lab, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Nicole E. Rich
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Mazen Noureddin
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ju Dong Yang
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
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22
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Dunn C, Lin B, Rich NE, Patel MS, Gopal P, Singal AG. Correlation of LI-RADS 3 or 4 Observations with Histopathologic Diagnosis in Patients with Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21:1351-1353.e2. [PMID: 35307596 PMCID: PMC9481748 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Patients with cirrhosis are high risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and warrant surveillance using abdominal ultrasound and α-fetoprotein.1 Those with positive surveillance results should undergo diagnostic evaluation with multiphase computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The LI-RADS system is an evidence-based system to classify observations on CT or MRI in at-risk patients, ranging from LR-1 (definite benign) to LR-5 (definite HCC), with LR-3 and LR-4 observations being intermediate risk for HCC.2 LR-3 and LR-4 observations are observed on CT or MRI in more than one-fourth of patients undergoing HCC surveillance and have a high, yet variable, risk for progression to HCC.3 Approximately one-third of patients with LR-3 observations and more than two-thirds of LR-4 observations develop HCC, and surveillance strategies vary widely in practice.4,5 Variation in radiographic appearance and natural history of these observations suggests that this may be a heterogeneous group of patients; however, their histopathology has not been well described. Herein, we correlated imaging findings and explant histopathology from liver transplant recipients with at least 1 LR-3 or LR-4 observation on CT or MRI within 6 months preceding transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Dunn
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Bo Lin
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Nicole E Rich
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Madhukar S Patel
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Purva Gopal
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Amit G Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
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23
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Nguyen ALT, Si L, Lubel JS, Shackel N, Yee KC, Wilson M, Bradshaw J, Hardy K, Palmer AJ, Blizzard CL, de Graaff B. Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance based on the Australian Consensus Guidelines: a health economic modelling study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:378. [PMID: 37076870 PMCID: PMC10116722 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09360-4] [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: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fastest increasing cause of cancer death in Australia. A recent Australian consensus guidelines recommended HCC surveillance for cirrhotic patients and non-cirrhotic chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients at gender and age specific cut-offs. A cost-effectiveness model was then developed to assess surveillance strategies in Australia. METHODS A microsimulation model was used to evaluate three strategies: biannual ultrasound, biannual ultrasound with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and no formal surveillance for patients having one of the conditions: non-cirrhotic CHB, compensated cirrhosis or decompensated cirrhosis. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses as well as scenario and threshold analyses were conducted to account for uncertainties: including exclusive surveillance of CHB, compensated cirrhosis or decompensated cirrhosis populations; impact of obesity on ultrasound sensitivity; real-world adherence rate; and different cohort's ranges of ages. RESULTS Sixty HCC surveillance scenarios were considered for the baseline population. The ultrasound + AFP strategy was the most cost-effective with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) compared to no surveillance falling below the willingness-to-pay threshold of A$50,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) at all age ranges. Ultrasound alone was also cost-effective, but the strategy was dominated by ultrasound + AFP. Surveillance was cost-effective in the compensated and decompensated cirrhosis populations alone (ICERs < $30,000), but not cost-effective in the CHB population (ICERs > $100,000). Obesity could decrease the diagnostic performance of ultrasound, which in turn, reduce the cost-effectiveness of ultrasound ± AFP, but the strategies remained cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS HCC surveillance based on Australian recommendations using biannual ultrasound ± AFP was cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Le Tuan Nguyen
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
| | - Lei Si
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - John S Lubel
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Kwang Chien Yee
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Mark Wilson
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | | | - Kerry Hardy
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Andrew John Palmer
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Christopher Leigh Blizzard
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Barbara de Graaff
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
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24
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Yokoo T, Masaki N, Parikh ND, Lane BF, Feng Z, Mendiratta-Lala M, Lee CH, Khatri G, Marsh TL, Shetty K, Dunn CT, Al-Jarrah T, Aslam A, Davenport MS, Gopal P, Rich NE, Lok AS, Singal AG. Multicenter Validation of Abbreviated MRI for Detecting Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Radiology 2023; 307:e220917. [PMID: 36692401 PMCID: PMC10102624 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.220917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Abbreviated MRI is a proposed paradigm shift for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance, but data on its performance are lacking for histopathologically confirmed early-stage HCC. Purpose To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of dynamic contrast-enhanced abbreviated MRI for early-stage HCC detection, using surgical pathologic findings as the reference standard. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was conducted at three U.S. liver transplant centers in patients with cirrhosis who underwent liver resection or transplant between January 2009 and December 2019 and standard "full" liver MRI with and without contrast enhancement within 3 months before surgery. Patients who had HCC-directed treatment before surgery were excluded. Dynamic abbreviated MRI examinations were simulated from the presurgical full MRI by selecting the coronal T2-weighted and axial three-dimensional fat-suppressed T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced sequences at precontrast, late arterial, portal venous, and delayed phases. Two abdominal radiologists at each center independently interpreted the simulated abbreviated examinations with use of the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2018. Patients with any high-risk liver observations (>LR-3) were classified as positive; otherwise, they were classified as negative. With liver pathologic findings as the reference standard for the presence versus absence of early-stage HCC, the sensitivity, specificity, and their 95% CIs were calculated. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with correct classification. Results A total of 161 patients with early-stage HCC (median age, 62 years [IQR, 58-67 years]; 123 men) and 138 patients without HCC (median age, 55 years [IQR, 47-63 years]; 85 men) were confirmed with surgical pathologic findings. The sensitivity and specificity of abbreviated MRI were 88.2% (142 of 161 patients) (95% CI: 83.5, 92.5) and 89.1% (123 of 138 patients) (95% CI: 84.4, 93.8), respectively. Sensitivity was lower for Child-Pugh class B or C versus Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis (64.1% vs 94.2%; P < .001). Conclusion With surgical pathologic findings as the reference standard, dynamic abbreviated MRI had high sensitivity and specificity for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma detection in patients with compensated cirrhosis but lower sensitivity in those with decompensated cirrhosis. © RSNA, 2023 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Kim in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Yokoo
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Nobuaki Masaki
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Neehar D. Parikh
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Barton F. Lane
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Ziding Feng
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Mishal Mendiratta-Lala
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Chee Hwee Lee
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Gaurav Khatri
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Tracey L. Marsh
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Kirti Shetty
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Colin T. Dunn
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Taim Al-Jarrah
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Anum Aslam
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Matthew S. Davenport
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Purva Gopal
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Nicole E. Rich
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Anna S. Lok
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
| | - Amit G. Singal
- From the Departments of Radiology (T.Y., G.K.), Internal Medicine
(C.T.D., N.E.R., A.G.S.), and Pathology (P.G.), UT Southwestern Medical Center,
5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Ste 420, Dallas, TX 75390-8887; Department of
Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (N.M.); Departments of
Internal Medicine (N.D.P., T.A.J., A.S.L.) and Radiology (M.M.L., A.A., M.S.D.),
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Departments of
Diagnostic Radiology (B.F.L., C.H.L.) and Internal Medicine (K.S.), University
of Maryland, Baltimore, Md; and Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutch
Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash (Z.F., T.L.M.)
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25
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Curran C, Priest M, Datta S, Forrest EH, Stanley AJ, Barclay ST. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk Scores Predict Patients Under Surveillance at Low Risk of Benefit and High Risk of Harm. Dig Dis Sci 2023; 68:770-777. [PMID: 36376575 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-022-07731-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is recommended for patients with cirrhosis. Multiple risk scores aim to stratify HCC risk, potentially allowing individualized surveillance strategies. We sought to validate four risk scores and quantify the consequences of surveillance via the calculation of numbers needed to benefit (NNB) and harm (NNH) according to classification by risk score strata. METHODS Data were collected on 482 patients with cirrhosis during 2013-2014, with follow-up until 31/12/2019. Risk scores (aMAP, Toronto risk index, ADRESS HCC, HCC risk score) were derived from index clinic results. The area under the receiving operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated for each. Additionally, per-risk strata, NNB was calculated as total surveillance ultrasounds per surveillance diagnosed early HCC (stage 0/A) and NNH as total ultrasounds performed per false positive (abnormal surveillance with normal follow-up imaging). RESULTS 22 (4.6%) patients developed HCC. 77% (17/22) were diagnosed through surveillance, of which 13/17 (76%) were early stage. There were 88 false positives and no false negatives (normal surveillance result however subsequent HCC detection). Overall NNB and NNH were 241 and 36, respectively. No score was significantly superior using AUC. Patients classified as low risk demonstrated no surveillance benefit (AMAP, THRI) or had a high NNB of > 300/900 (ADRESS HCC, HCC risk score), with low NNH (24-38). CONCLUSION Given the lack of benefit and increased harm through false positives in low-risk groups, a risk-based surveillance strategy may have the potential to reduce patient harm and increase benefit from HCC surveillance. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION This was not a clinical trial and the study was not pre-registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Curran
- Department of Gastroenterology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Rd, Glasgow, G51 4TF, UK.
- , Flat 2/2, 53 Dalnair Street, Glasgow, G3 8SQ, UK.
| | - Matthew Priest
- Department of Gastroenterology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Rd, Glasgow, G51 4TF, UK
| | - Shouren Datta
- Department of Gastroenterology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Rd, Glasgow, G51 4TF, UK
| | - Ewan H Forrest
- Department of Gastroenterology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle St, Glasgow, G4 0SF, UK
- College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Medical School Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Adrian J Stanley
- Department of Gastroenterology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle St, Glasgow, G4 0SF, UK
- College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Medical School Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Stephen T Barclay
- Department of Gastroenterology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle St, Glasgow, G4 0SF, UK
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26
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Singal AG, Parikh ND, Hoshida Y. Precision HCC Surveillance: It Is All in the Number (Needed). Dig Dis Sci 2023; 68:720-722. [PMID: 36302995 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-022-07735-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amit G Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Suite 420, Dallas, TX, 75390-8887, USA.
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48320, USA.
| | - Neehar D Parikh
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Suite 420, Dallas, TX, 75390-8887, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48320, USA
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5959 Harry Hines Blvd, POB 1, Suite 420, Dallas, TX, 75390-8887, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48320, USA
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27
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Singal AG, Ghaziani TT, Mehta N, Zhou K, Grinspan LT, Benhammou JN, Moon AM, Yang JD, Salgia R, Pillai A, Zheng E, Rich NE, Gopal P, Jalal P, Verna E, Yekkaluri S, Phen S, Melendez-Torres J, Alshuwaykh O, Choi H, Junus K, Grady J, Song M, Leven EA, Yum J, Gowda V, Alsudaney M, Hernandez P, Desai N, Parikh ND. Recall patterns and risk of primary liver cancer for subcentimeter ultrasound liver observations: a multicenter study. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0073. [PMID: 36881615 PMCID: PMC9995094 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with cirrhosis and subcentimeter lesions on liver ultrasound are recommended to undergo short-interval follow-up ultrasound because of the presumed low risk of primary liver cancer (PLC). AIMS The aim of this study is to characterize recall patterns and risk of PLC in patients with subcentimeter liver lesions on ultrasound. METHODS We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study among patients with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B infection who had subcentimeter ultrasound lesions between January 2017 and December 2019. We excluded patients with a history of PLC or concomitant lesions ≥1 cm in diameter. We used Kaplan Meier and multivariable Cox regression analyses to characterize time-to-PLC and factors associated with PLC, respectively. RESULTS Of 746 eligible patients, most (66.0%) had a single observation, and the median diameter was 0.7 cm (interquartile range: 0.5-0.8 cm). Recall strategies varied, with only 27.8% of patients undergoing guideline-concordant ultrasound within 3-6 months. Over a median follow-up of 26 months, 42 patients developed PLC (39 HCC and 3 cholangiocarcinoma), yielding an incidence of 25.7 cases (95% CI, 6.2-47.0) per 1000 person-years, with 3.9% and 6.7% developing PLC at 2 and 3 years, respectively. Factors associated with time-to-PLC were baseline alpha-fetoprotein >10 ng/mL (HR: 4.01, 95% CI, 1.85-8.71), platelet count ≤150 (HR: 4.90, 95% CI, 1.95-12.28), and Child-Pugh B cirrhosis (vs. Child-Pugh A: HR: 2.54, 95% CI, 1.27-5.08). CONCLUSIONS Recall patterns for patients with subcentimeter liver lesions on ultrasound varied widely. The low risk of PLC in these patients supports short-interval ultrasound in 3-6 months, although diagnostic CT/MRI may be warranted for high-risk subgroups such as those with elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit G. Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - T. Tara Ghaziani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Neil Mehta
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kali Zhou
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lauren T. Grinspan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jihane N. Benhammou
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andrew M. Moon
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ju Dong Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cedar Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Reena Salgia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Anjana Pillai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Elizabeth Zheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nicole E Rich
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Purva Gopal
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Prasun Jalal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Elizabeth Verna
- Department of Internal Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sruthi Yekkaluri
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Samuel Phen
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Omar Alshuwaykh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Hailey Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kevin Junus
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - John Grady
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Emily A. Leven
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jung Yum
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Vrushab Gowda
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Manaf Alsudaney
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cedar Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Perla Hernandez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cedar Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nirmal Desai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Neehar D. Parikh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Seif El Dahan K, Daher D, Singal AG. Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Clin Mol Hepatol 2023; 29:S207-S219. [PMID: 36103899 PMCID: PMC10029960 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may progress to cirrhotic or non-cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and is currently recognized as the fastest growing cause of HCC worldwide. Accordingly, professional society guidelines recommend HCC surveillance in patients with cirrhosis from any etiology, and some may consider it beneficial in subgroups with non-cirrhotic NAFLD at higher risk for HCC. Notably, patients with NAFLD-related HCC are more likely to have HCC diagnosed at more advanced stages and have poorer outcomes when compared to other etiologies, and suboptimal effectiveness of HCC surveillance programs is a major culprit. In this review, we summarize the current guidelines for HCC surveillance and discuss its benefits versus potential harms for NAFLD patients. We also address the unique challenges of HCC surveillance in NAFLD, including higher proportion of NAFLD-related HCC without cirrhosis, poor recognition of at-risk patients, lack of consensus regarding the value of surveillance in non-cirrhotic NAFLD, subpar effectiveness of surveillance tools related to NAFLD phenotype, and preponderant surveillance underuse among NAFLD patients. Finally, we examine the effectiveness of currently used surveillance tools (i.e., ultrasound and alpha fetoprotein) and outline future perspectives including emerging risk stratification tools, imaging surveillance strategies (e.g., abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging protocols), blood-based biomarkers (e.g., GALAD and circulating tumor DNA panels), and interventions to improve surveillance adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Seif El Dahan
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Darine Daher
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Amit G Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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29
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Who Should Not Be Surveilled for HCC Development after Successful Therapy with DAAS in Advanced Chronic Hepatitis C? Results of a Long-Term Prospective Study. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11010166. [PMID: 36672675 PMCID: PMC9856119 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims: The identification of patients with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-positive advanced chronic liver disease (aCLD) successfully treated by Direct Acting Antiviral Agents (DAAs) who really benefit from Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) surveillance programs is still a matter of debate. We performed a long-term prospective cohort study on F3-F4 HCV-positive patients achieving Sustained Virologic Response (SVR) after DAAs treatment in order to identify patients who can safely suspend surveillance. Methods: 1000 patients with HCV-positive aCLD obtaining SVR by DAAs from January 2015 to December 2017 were divided into four groups according to baseline elastographic, ultrasonographic, clinical and biochemical features: (1) Group 1: 324 patients with Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM) ≥ 9.5 ≤ 14.5 kPa, FIB-4 < 3.25 and APRI < 1.5 (2) Group 2: 133 patients with LSM ≥ 9.5 ≤ 14.5 kPa, FIB-4 ≥ 3.25 and/or APRI ≥ 1.5 (3) Group 3: 158 patients with LSM > 14.5 kPa, FIB-4 < 3.25 and APRI < 1.5 (4) Group 4: 385 patients with LSM > 14.5 kPa, FIB-4 ≥ 3.25 and/or APRI ≥ 1.5. FIB-4 and APRI scores were calculated at baseline and at SVR achievement. Each patient was surveiled twice-yearly by ultrasound for a median follow-up of 48 months. Results: among Group 1 patients, 1/324 (0.3%) developed HCC (0.09/100 patients/year [PY]), compared to 6/133 (4.5%) Group 2 patients (1.22/100 PY, p = 0.0009), 10/158 (6.3%) Group 3 patients (1.68/100 PY, p = 0.0001), 54/385 (14.0%) Group 4 patients (4.01/100 PY, p < 0.0001). HCC incidence was significantly lower in Group 2 compared to Group 3 (p = 0.004) and in Group 3 compared to Group 4 (p = 0.009). HCC risk fell in patients showing a decrease of FIB-4/APRI scores. Conclusions: the risk of HCC occurrence is negligible in about 90% of HCV-positive patients with baseline LSM ≥ 9.5 ≤ 14.5 kPa plus FIB-4 < 3.25 and APRI < 1.5 achieving SVR. Among this particular subset of patients, FIB-4/APRI scores may represent an accurate and inexpensive tool to distinguish patients not needing long-term HCC surveillance.
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30
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Blankenburg M, Elhamamy M, Zhang D, Fujikawa N, Corbin A, Jin G, Harris J, Knobloch G. Evaluation of health economic impact of initial diagnostic modality selection for colorectal cancer liver metastases in suspected patients in China, Japan and the USA. J Med Econ 2023; 26:219-232. [PMID: 36705988 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2023.2173436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To compare cost offsets and contributing factors (false-negative rates and confirmatory imaging requirements, potentially leading to longer waiting times for diagnosis) as well as long-term cost effectiveness associated with the diagnostic and treatment pathways for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) in the US, Japan, and China according to initial imaging modality used. Gadoxetate disodium (ethoxylbenzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI) was compared to multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), extracellular contrast media enhanced-MRI (ECCM-MRI) (the US and China only) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). MATERIALS AND METHODS Decision tree models were developed to simulate the clinical pathway, from first diagnostic test to initial treatment decision, based on local clinical guidelines and validated by experts. Input data were derived from the literature (up to 31st December 2020) as well as from interviews with local experts. A Markov model extension was built to evaluate the number of false-negative patients and associated costs, over a lifetime horizon. RESULTS The decision-tree models showed that, increasing proportionate use of initial EOB-MRI resulted in a cost-offset per patient (excluding false-negative patients) in all countries (USD 201 for the US, JPY 6,284 for Japan and CNY 446 for China) driven by reductions in follow-on diagnostic procedures and unnecessary treatment. The use of EOB-MRI was also associated with a shorter average waiting time to a final diagnosis and treatment decision compared to MDCT, ECCM-MRI and CEUS. The Markov model showed that with an increase in EOB-MRI use, there are fewer false-negative diagnoses over a lifetime horizon. In all three countries, the incremental cost-effectivenes ratio (ICER) was below standard willingness-to-pay thresholds. CONCLUSION The findings of these models demonstrate that use of EOB-MRI early in the diagnostic pathway for CRCLM results in short-term cost savings, as well as being cost effective in the long term.
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31
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Parikh ND, Tayob N, Singal AG. Blood-based biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma screening: Approaching the end of the ultrasound era? J Hepatol 2023; 78:207-216. [PMID: 36089157 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, in part because of inadequate early detection strategies. Current recommendations for screening consist of semi-annual abdominal ultrasound with or without serum alpha-fetoprotein in patients with cirrhosis and in demographic subgroups with chronic hepatitis B infection. However, this screening strategy has several deficiencies, including suboptimal early-stage sensitivity, false positives with subsequent harms, inter-operator variability in ultrasound performance, and poor adherence. A blood-based biomarker with sufficient performance characteristics for early-stage disease could overcome several of these barriers to improving early-stage detection. However, prior to use of a biomarker for screening in clinical practice, a multistep validation is required in order to understand test performance characteristics. These steps include case-control validation, followed by validation in prospective cohorts of at-risk patients. Until recently, we lacked adequate longitudinal validation cohorts for early HCC detection; however, several validation cohorts are maturing, including the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Early Detection Study and the Texas Hepatocellular Carcinoma Consortium, which will allow for rigorous validation of candidate biomarkers. While there are several promising biomarkers awaiting validation, in order to supplant abdominal ultrasound, a candidate biomarker must show adequate test performance and overcome practical hurdles to ensure adoption in clinical practice. The promise of blood-based biomarkers is significant, especially given the limitations of ultrasound-based screening; however, they require adequate validation and several logistical obstacles must be overcome prior to clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neehar D Parikh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Nabihah Tayob
- Department of Biostatistics, Dana Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amit G Singal
- Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Shi K, Li P, Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Bi Y, Zeng X, Wang X. Development of a nomogram to predict the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis on antivirals. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1128062. [PMID: 36874109 PMCID: PMC9978349 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1128062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Patients with compensated hepatitis B-related cirrhosis receiving antivirals are at the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting the incidence of HCC in patients with hepatitis-B related cirrhosis. Design A total of 632 patients with compensated hepatitis-B related cirrhosis treated with entecavir or tenofovir between August 2010 and July 2018 were enrolled. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for HCC and a nomogram was developed using these factors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, and decision curve analyses were used to evaluate the nomogram performance. The results were validated in an external cohort (n = 324). Results In the multivariate analysis, age per 10 years, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio > 1.6, and platelet count < 86×109/L were independent predictors of HCC occurrence. A nomogram was developed to predict HCC risk using these three factors (ranging from 0 to 20). The nomogram showed better performance (AUC: 0.83) than that of the established models (all P < 0.05). The 3-year cumulative HCC incidences in the low- (scores < 4), medium- (4-10), and high-risk (> 10) subgroups were 0.7%, 4.3%, and 17.7%, respectively, in the derivation cohort, and 1.2%, 3.9%, and 17.8%, respectively, in the validation cohort. Conclusion The nomogram showed good discrimination and calibration in estimating HCC risk in patients with hepatitis-B related cirrhosis on antivirals. High-risk patients with a score > 10 points require close surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Shi
- Center of Integrative Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Hepatology, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Qun Zhang
- Center of Integrative Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Center of Integrative Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yufei Bi
- Center of Integrative Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuanwei Zeng
- Center of Integrative Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xianbo Wang
- Center of Integrative Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Da BL, He AR, Shetty K, Suchman KI, Yu H, Lau L, Wong LL, Rabiee A, Amdur RL, Crawford JM, Fox SS, Grimaldi GM, Shah PK, Weinstein J, Bernstein D, Satapathy SK, Chambwe N, Xiang X, Mishra L. Pathogenesis to management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Genes Cancer 2022; 13:72-87. [DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ben L. Da
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases and Transplantation, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Aiwu Ruth He
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC 20007, USA
| | - Kirti Shetty
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Kelly I. Suchman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Herbert Yu
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96813-5516, USA
| | - Lawrence Lau
- Department of Surgery, North Shore University Hospital, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Linda L. Wong
- Department of Surgery, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813-5516, USA
| | - Atoosa Rabiee
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, VA Medical Center, Washington DC 20422, USA
| | - Richard L. Amdur
- Quantitative Intelligence, The Institutes for Health Systems Science and Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, NY 10022, USA
| | - James M. Crawford
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Sharon S. Fox
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Gregory M. Grimaldi
- Department of Radiology, Northwell Health, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Priya K. Shah
- Department of Radiology, Northwell Health, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Jonathan Weinstein
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Northwell Health, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - David Bernstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases and Transplantation, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Sanjaya K. Satapathy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases and Transplantation, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Nyasha Chambwe
- The Institute of Molecular Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, NY 11030, USA
| | - Xiyan Xiang
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Northwell Health, NY 11030, USA
| | - Lopa Mishra
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Northwell Health, NY 11030, USA
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Cavalcante LN, Dezan MGF, Paz CLDSL, Lyra AC. RISK FACTORS FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA IN PATIENTS WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE. ARQUIVOS DE GASTROENTEROLOGIA 2022; 59:540-548. [PMID: 36515349 DOI: 10.1590/s0004-2803.202204000-93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is growing in worldwide prevalence and thus, is expected to have a higher number of NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the following years. This review describes the risk factors associated with HCC in NAFLD-patients. The presence of liver cirrhosis is the preponderant one. Male gender, PNPLA3 variants, diabetes, and obesity also appear to predispose to the development of HCC, even in non-cirrhotic subjects. Thus far, intensive lifestyle modifications, including glycemic control, and obesity treatment, are effective therapies for NAFLD/ non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and, therefore, probably, also for HCC. Some drugs that aimed at decreasing inflammatory activity and fibrosis, as well as obesity, were studied. Other data have suggested the possibility of HCC chemoprevention. So far, however, there is no definitive evidence for the routine utilization of these drugs. We hope, in the future, to be able to profile patients at higher risk of NAFLD-HCC and outline strategies for early diagnosis and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourianne Nascimento Cavalcante
- Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil.,Hospital São Rafael, Serviço de Gastro-Hepatologia, Salvador, BA, Brasil
| | | | | | - André Castro Lyra
- Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil.,Hospital São Rafael, Serviço de Gastro-Hepatologia, Salvador, BA, Brasil
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Cheng R, Xu X. Validation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk Prediction Models in Patients with Hepatitis B-Related Cirrhosis. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:987-997. [PMID: 36117526 PMCID: PMC9480598 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s377435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Several risk models have been developed to predict the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB); however, it remains unclear whether these models are useful for risk assessment in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis undergoing antiviral therapy. Patients and Methods A total of 252 treatment-naive cirrhosis patients with no history of HCC who underwent treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues between January 2010 and July 2014 were enrolled. Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the risk factors for HCC. "TimeROC" and "survival ROC" package, written for R, were used to compare the time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves for the predictability of the HCC risk scores. Results During the mean follow-up period of 56.96 months, 48 (19.0%) patients developed HCC. Cox multivariate stepwise regression analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (hazard ratio [HR] 2.771, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.462-5.254; P=0.002), alpha-fetoprotein (HR 1.001, 95% CI 1.000-1.003; P=0.035), diabetes mellitus (HR 3.061, 95% CI 1.542-6.077; P=0.001), and alcohol intake (HR 2.250, 95% CI 1.042-4.856; P=0.039) were independent indicators of the HCC risk. AUROC at 3 (0.739) and 5 years (0.695) for the REAL-B score were consistently higher than those of the other risk models except RWS-HCC. The time-dependent AUROC value at 1 year for the REAL-B score was similar to those of the other risk models. According to REAL-B score stratification (0-3, low; 4-7, moderate; and 8-13, high), the HCC risk rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 2.4%, 5.6%, and 9.0% in the intermediate-risk group, and 7.2%, 21.1%, and 26.3% in the high-risk group, respectively (all P<0.001 between each pair). Conclusion REAL-B score showed a persistently high prognostic capability in predicting the HCC risk in HBV-related cirrhosis patients undergoing antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Cheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyuan Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Willemssen F, de Lussanet de la Sablonière Q, Bos D, IJzermans J, De Man R, Dwarkasing R. Potential of a Non-Contrast-Enhanced Abbreviated MRI Screening Protocol (NC-AMRI) in High-Risk Patients under Surveillance for HCC. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163961. [PMID: 36010954 PMCID: PMC9405909 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate NC-AMRI for the detection of HCC in high-risk patients. Methods: Patients who underwent yearly contrast-enhanced MRI (i.e., full MRI protocol) of the liver were included retrospectively. For all patients, the sequences that constitute the NC-AMRI protocol, namely diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), T2-weighted (T2W) imaging with fat saturation, and T1-weighted (T1W) in-phase and opposed-phase imaging, were extracted, anonymized, and uploaded to a separate research server and reviewed independently by three radiologists with different levels of experience. Reader I and III held a mutual training session. Levels of suspicion of HCC per patient were compared and the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) using the Mann–Whitney U test were calculated. The reference standard was a final diagnosis based on full liver MRI and clinical follow-up information. Results: Two-hundred-and-fifteen patients were included, 36 (16.7%) had HCC and 179 (83.3%) did not. The level of agreement between readers was reasonable to good and concordant with the level of expertise and participation in a mutual training session. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis showed relatively high AUC values (range 0.89–0.94). Double reading showed increased sensitivity of 97.2% and specificity of 87.2% compared with individual results (sensitivity 80.1%–91.7%–97.2%; specificity 91.1%–72.1%–82.1%). Only one HCC (2.8%) was missed by all readers. Conclusion: NC-AMRI presents a good potential surveillance imaging tool for the detection of HCC in high-risk patients. The best results are achieved with two observers after a mutual training session.
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37
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Park HJ, Kim SY, Singal AG, Lee SJ, Won HJ, Byun JH, Choi SH, Yokoo T, Kim MJ, Lim YS. Abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging vs ultrasound for surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk patients. Liver Int 2022; 42:2080-2092. [PMID: 34817921 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We aimed to compare the performance of gadoxetic acid-enhanced abbreviated MRI (AMRI)-based surveillance and ultrasound-only surveillance in high-risk patients for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Prospectively recruited high-risk patients (>5% annual risk of HCC) who underwent one to three rounds of complete gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI (CMRI) and ultrasound at 6-months intervals were retrospectively analysed. AMRI consisted of diffusion-weighted, T2-weighted, and hepatobiliary phase imaging. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CMRI followed by AMRI (CAA), AMRI-only (AAA), and ultrasound-only (US) were compared using generalized estimating equations. Image quality was assessed. RESULTS In 382 patients, HCC was diagnosed in 43 (11.3%), including 42 with early-stage HCCs. The sensitivities of CAA (90.7%, 39/43) and AAA (86.0%, 37/43) were higher than US (27.9% [12/43]; P < 0.001), whereas the sensitivities of the two MRI approaches did not significantly differ (P = 0.56). The specificity of CAA (97.1%, 983/1012) was higher than AAA (95.6% [967/1012]; P = 0.01) and not significantly different from US (96.3% [975/1012]; P = 0.59). The CAA approach had the best accuracy of 96.9% (1022/1055), higher than the AAA approach (95.2% [1004/1055]; P = 0.01) and the US approach (93.6% [987/1055]; P = 0.01). Image quality was inadequate in 33.7% (356/1055) of US examinations but in only 10.0% (105/1055) of the AAA and 11.1% (117/1055) of the CAA approach. CONCLUSIONS In high-risk patients, AMRI-based surveillance approaches had higher sensitivities than ultrasound-only surveillance for early-stage HCC. A sequential MRI approach of CMRI followed by AMRIs showed superior accuracy than the AMRI-only or ultrasound-only approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Jung Park
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Liver Cancer Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Amit G Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - So Jung Lee
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Liver Cancer Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Jin Won
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Liver Cancer Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Byun
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Liver Cancer Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hyun Choi
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Liver Cancer Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Min-Ju Kim
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Suk Lim
- Liver Cancer Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Mueller PP, Chen Q, Ayer T, Nemutlu GS, Hajjar A, Bethea ED, Peters MLB, Lee BP, Janjua NZ, Kanwal F, Chhatwal J. Duration and cost-effectiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in hepatitis C patients after viral eradication. J Hepatol 2022; 77:55-62. [PMID: 35157959 PMCID: PMC9618359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Successful treatment of chronic hepatitis C with oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) leads to virological cure, however, the subsequent risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) persists. Our objective was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of biannual surveillance for HCC in patients cured of hepatitis C and the optimal age to stop surveillance. METHODS We developed a microsimulation model of the natural history of HCC in individuals with hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis who achieved virological cure with oral DAAs. We used published data on HCC incidence, tumor progression, real-world HCC surveillance adherence, and costs and utilities of different health states. We compared biannual HCC surveillance using ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein for varying durations of surveillance (from 5 years to lifetime) vs. no surveillance. RESULTS In virologically cured patients with cirrhosis, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of biannual surveillance remained below $150,000 per additional quality-adjusted life year (QALY) (range: $79,500-$94,800) when surveillance was stopped at age 70, irrespective of the starting age (40-65). Compared with no surveillance, surveillance detected 130 additional HCCs in 'very early'/early stage and yielded 51 additional QALYs per 1,000 patients with cirrhosis. In virologically cured patients with advanced fibrosis, the ICER of biannual surveillance remained below $150,000/QALY (range: $124,600-$129,800) when surveillance was stopped at age 60, irrespective of the starting age (40-50). Compared with no surveillance, surveillance detected 24 additional HCCs in 'very early'/early stage and yielded 12 additional QALYs per 1,000 patients with advanced fibrosis. CONCLUSION Biannual surveillance for HCC in patients cured of hepatitis C is cost-effective until the age of 70 for patients with cirrhosis, and until the age of 60 for patients with stable advanced fibrosis. LAY SUMMARY Individuals who are cured of hepatitis C using oral antiviral drugs remain at risk of developing liver cancer. The value of lifelong screening for liver cancer in these individuals is not known. By simulating the life course of hepatitis C cured individuals, we found that ultrasound-based biannual screening for liver cancer is cost-effective up to age 70 in those with cirrhosis and up to age 60 in those with stable advanced fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter P. Mueller
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qiushi Chen
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA;,Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Turgay Ayer
- H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gizem S. Nemutlu
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali Hajjar
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily D. Bethea
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA;,Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mary Linton B. Peters
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA;,Division of Medical Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian P. Lee
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Naveed Z. Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada;,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fasiha Kanwal
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA;,Houston Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jagpreet Chhatwal
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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39
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Schoenberger H, Chong N, Fetzer DT, Rich NE, Yokoo T, Khatri G, Olivares J, Parikh ND, Yopp AC, Marrero JA, Singal AG. Dynamic Changes in Ultrasound Quality for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening in Patients With Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 20:1561-1569.e4. [PMID: 34119640 PMCID: PMC8660956 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Identifying patients in whom ultrasound may be inadequate to exclude the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can inform interventions to improve screening effectiveness. We aimed to characterize correlates of suboptimal ultrasound quality and changes in ultrasound quality over time in patients with cirrhosis undergoing HCC screening. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with cirrhosis who underwent ultrasound examination at 2 large health systems between July 2016 and July 2019. Exam adequacy was graded by radiologists using the LI-RADS Visualization Score (A, B, C); we evaluated changes in visualization over time among patients with >1 ultrasound exams. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify characteristics associated with limited ultrasound visualization (scores B or C). RESULTS Of 2053 cirrhosis patients, 1685 (82.1%) had ultrasounds with score A, 262 (12.8%) had score B, and 106 (5.2%) had score C. Limited visualization was associated with alcohol-related or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease cirrhosis and presence of class II-III obesity. Among 1546 patients with >1 ultrasounds, 1129 (73.0%) had the same visualization score on follow-up (1046 score A, 60 score B, 23 score C). However, 255 (19.6%) of 1301 with score A at baseline had limited visualization when repeated (230 score B, 25 score C), and 130 (53.1%) of 245 patients with baseline limited visualization had good visualization when repeated. CONCLUSIONS Nearly 1 in 5 patients with cirrhosis had moderately-severely limited ultrasound visualization for HCC nodules, particularly those with obesity or alcohol-related or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease cirrhosis. Ultrasound quality can change between exams, including improvement in many patients with limited visualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley Schoenberger
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Nicolas Chong
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - David T Fetzer
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Nicole E Rich
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Gaurav Khatri
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jocelyn Olivares
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Neehar D Parikh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Adam C Yopp
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jorge A Marrero
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Amit G Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, Texas.
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40
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Fujiwara N, Kubota N, Crouchet E, Koneru B, Marquez CA, Jajoriya AK, Panda G, Qian T, Zhu S, Goossens N, Wang X, Liang S, Zhong Z, Lewis S, Taouli B, Schwartz ME, Fiel MI, Singal AG, Marrero JA, Fobar AJ, Parikh ND, Raman I, Li QZ, Taguri M, Ono A, Aikata H, Nakahara T, Nakagawa H, Matsushita Y, Tateishi R, Koike K, Kobayashi M, Higashi T, Nakagawa S, Yamashita YI, Beppu T, Baba H, Kumada H, Chayama K, Baumert TF, Hoshida Y. Molecular signatures of long-term hepatocellular carcinoma risk in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabo4474. [PMID: 35731891 PMCID: PMC9236162 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abo4474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk is an urgent unmet need in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In cohorts of 409 patients with NAFLD from multiple global regions, we defined and validated hepatic transcriptome and serum secretome signatures predictive of long-term HCC risk in patients with NAFLD. A 133-gene signature, prognostic liver signature (PLS)-NAFLD, predicted incident HCC over up to 15 years of longitudinal observation. High-risk PLS-NAFLD was associated with IDO1+ dendritic cells and dysfunctional CD8+ T cells in fibrotic portal tracts along with impaired metabolic regulators. PLS-NAFLD was validated in independent cohorts of patients with NAFLD who were HCC naïve (HCC incidence rates at 15 years were 22.7 and 0% in high- and low-risk patients, respectively) or HCC experienced (de novo HCC recurrence rates at 5 years were 71.8 and 42.9% in high- and low-risk patients, respectively). PLS-NAFLD was bioinformatically translated into a four-protein secretome signature, PLSec-NAFLD, which was validated in an independent cohort of HCC-naïve patients with NAFLD and cirrhosis (HCC incidence rates at 15 years were 37.6 and 0% in high- and low-risk patients, respectively). Combination of PLSec-NAFLD with our previously defined etiology-agnostic PLSec-AFP yielded improved HCC risk stratification. PLS-NAFLD was modified by bariatric surgery, lipophilic statin, and IDO1 inhibitor, suggesting that the signature can be used for drug discovery and as a surrogate end point in HCC chemoprevention clinical trials. Collectively, PLS/PLSec-NAFLD may enable NAFLD-specific HCC risk prediction and facilitate clinical translation of NAFLD-directed HCC chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Fujiwara
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo; Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Naoto Kubota
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Emilie Crouchet
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, University of Strasbourg and IHU, Pole Hépato-digestif, Strasbourg University Hospitals; Strasbourg, 67000, France
| | - Bhuvaneswari Koneru
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Cesia A Marquez
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Arun K Jajoriya
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Gayatri Panda
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Tongqi Qian
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Shijia Zhu
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Nicolas Goossens
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Geneva University Hospital; Geneva, 44041, Switzerland
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Shuang Liang
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Zhenyu Zhong
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Sara Lewis
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York, 10029, U.S
| | - Bachir Taouli
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York, 10029, U.S
| | - Myron E Schwartz
- Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York, 10029, U.S
| | - Maria Isabel Fiel
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York, 10029, U.S
| | - Amit G Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Jorge A Marrero
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
- Division of Gastroenterology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, U.S
| | - Austin J Fobar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, 48109, U.S
| | - Neehar D Parikh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, 48109, U.S
| | - Indu Raman
- BioCenter Microarray Core Facility, Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Quan-Zhen Li
- BioCenter Microarray Core Facility, Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
| | - Masataka Taguri
- Department of Data Science, School of Data Science, Yokohama City University; Yokohama, 236-0027, Japan
| | - Atsushi Ono
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University; Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Aikata
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University; Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakahara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University; Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Hayato Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo; Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Yuki Matsushita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo; Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Tateishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo; Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Koike
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo; Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | | | - Takaaki Higashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University; Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
| | - Shigeki Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University; Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
| | - Yo-ichi Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University; Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
| | - Toru Beppu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University; Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University; Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Kumada
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital; Tokyo, 105-0001, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Chayama
- Collaborative Research Laboratory of Medical Innovation, Research Center for Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Hiroshima University; Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences; Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, University of Strasbourg and IHU, Pole Hépato-digestif, Strasbourg University Hospitals; Strasbourg, 67000, France
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, 75390, U.S
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Melendez-Torres J, Singal AG. Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma: roadmap for improvement. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2022; 22:621-632. [PMID: 35514249 PMCID: PMC9845108 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2022.2074404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a poor prognosis, related, in part, to frequent late-stage diagnosis. Improved implementation of effective HCC surveillance is critical to reduce HCC mortality. AREAS COVERED We performed a targeted literature review to identify intervention targets for improving HCC surveillance effectiveness, including enriched risk stratification tools, improved surveillance tools with higher accuracy for early HCC detection, and increasing surveillance adherence. EXPERT OPINION HCC surveillance has been demonstrated to be efficacious in several cohort studies but has lower surveillance effectiveness in clinical practice. HCC surveillance is currently recommended in all patients with cirrhosis, and improved risk stratification using clinical risk scores, genetic scores, and novel biomarkers are important to move from a 'one-size-fits-all' strategy to one more aligned with values of precision medicine. Current surveillance modalities, ultrasound, and AFP, miss over one-third of HCC at an early stage and are associated with potential surveillance harms, underscoring a need for alternative surveillance strategies with higher accuracy. MRI- and biomarker-based surveillance strategies have promising early data in phase II studies but require validation in phase III cohorts before routine use in practice. Finally, surveillance is underused in clinical practice, highlighting a need for intervention strategies to increase utilization.
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Fazeli S, Covarrubias Y, Bassirian S, Cuevas J, Fowler K, Vodkin I, Kono Y, Marks R, Loomba R, Taouli B, Sirlin C, Carlos R. Eliciting Patient Preferences for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening: A Choice-Based Conjoint Analysis. J Am Coll Radiol 2022; 19:502-512. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2022.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Park HJ, Lee TY, Kim SY, Kim MJ, Singal AG, Lee SJ, Won HJ, Byun JH, Lim YS. Hypervascular transformation of hepatobiliary phase hypointense nodules without arterial phase hyperenhancement on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI: long-term follow-up in a surveillance cohort. Eur Radiol 2022; 32:5064-5074. [PMID: 35229195 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-08623-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES With the increasing use of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for HCC surveillance, hepatobiliary phase (HBP) hypointense nodules without arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) are frequently encountered. We investigated the rate of these nodules with hypervascular transformation, which suggests hepatocarcinogenesis, by using a prospectively collected longitudinal surveillance cohort data. METHODS This study included 382 prospectively enrolled patients at high risk for developing HCC who underwent 1-3 rounds of bi-annual surveillance gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. MRI was analyzed to detect HBP hypointense nodules without APHE. Follow-up dynamic CTs and MRIs were evaluated to detect hypervascular transformation of the nodules. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to find predictors for hypervascular transformation. RESULTS A total of 76 HBP hypointense nodules without APHE were found in 48 patients, giving a prevalence of 12.6% (48/382). The mean nodule size was 10.8 mm, with 43.4% (33/76) being ≥ 10 mm. Over a median follow-up of 78.6 months, 19 nodules (25.0%) showed hypervascular transformation, all of which demonstrated typical imaging features of HCC. On multivariable Cox-regression analysis, size (≥ 10 mm) was the only independent predictor of hypervascular transformation (hazard ratio, 3.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-9.05). The cumulative incidence of hypervascular transformation at 12 and 60 months of nodules ≥ 10 mm was 12.3% and 50.4%, respectively, while that of nodules < 10 mm was 2.5% and 13.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS About half of the HBP hypointense nodules ≥ 10 mm without APHE transformed to HCC at 5 years of follow-up, indicating the necessity for cautious monitoring with an augmented and extended follow-up schedule for these nodules. KEY POINTS • The prevalence of HBP hypointense nodules without APHE was 12.6% in a prospectively recruited population at high risk of developing HCC. • Nodule size ≥ 10 mm was significantly associated with hypervascular transformation, and approximately half of the HBP hypointense nodules ≥ 10 mm without APHE transformed to HCC during 5 years of follow-up. • Given the risk of malignant transformation, HBP hypointense nodules ≥ 10 mm without APHE should be closely monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Jung Park
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Young Lee
- Department of Radiology, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea. .,Liver Cancer Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Min-Ju Kim
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Amit G Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - So Jung Lee
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea.,Liver Cancer Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Jin Won
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea.,Liver Cancer Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Byun
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea.,Liver Cancer Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Suk Lim
- Liver Cancer Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Kubota N, Fujiwara N, Hoshida Y. Liver cancer risk-predictive molecular biomarkers specific to clinico-epidemiological contexts. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 156:1-37. [PMID: 35961696 PMCID: PMC7616039 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk prediction is increasingly important because of the low annual HCC incidence in patients with the rapidly emerging non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or cured HCV infection. To date, numerous clinical HCC risk biomarkers and scores have been reported in literature. However, heterogeneity in clinico-epidemiological context, e.g., liver disease etiology, patient race/ethnicity, regional environmental exposure, and lifestyle-related factors, obscure their real clinical utility and applicability. Proper characterization of these factors will help refine HCC risk prediction according to certain clinical context/scenarios and contribute to improved early HCC detection. Molecular factors underlying the clinical heterogeneity encompass various features in host genetics, hepatic and systemic molecular dysregulations, and cross-organ interactions, which may serve as clinical-context-specific biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets. Toward the goal to enable individual-risk-based HCC screening by incorporating the HCC risk biomarkers/scores, their assessment in patient with well-defined clinical context/scenario is critical to gauge their real value and to maximize benefit of the tailored patient management for substantial improvement of the poor HCC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Kubota
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Naoto Fujiwara
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States; Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
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45
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Singal AG, Lok AS, Feng Z, Kanwal F, Parikh ND. Conceptual Model for the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening Continuum: Current Status and Research Agenda. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 20:9-18. [PMID: 32961340 PMCID: PMC8287785 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to have a dismal prognosis, with 5-year survival below 20%. This poor prognosis can be in part attributed to failures along the cancer screening process continuum such as underuse of screening in at risk patients and appropriate treatments for patients with HCC. Better understanding these process failures, and how they compare to those seen in other cancer types, can help inform potential intervention targets and strategies to reduce HCC-related mortality. Herein, we outline a conceptual model with several discrete steps in the HCC screening process continuum including risk assessment, screening initiation, follow-up of screening results, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment evaluation. The conceptual model illustrates how each step in the screening process is prone to delays or failure, resulting in worse outcomes such as late stage diagnosis or poor survival, and how factors at the patient, provider, and health care system levels can contribute to these failures. We compare cancer screening processes for HCC with those employed in breast and colorectal cancer screening to identify opportunities for improvement. The Translational Liver Cancer consortium was recently established by the National Cancer Institute with the goal of improving early detection of HCC. Studies designed to address failures in the HCC screening process continuum will help accomplish this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit G Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
| | - Anna S Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ziding Feng
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Fasiha Kanwal
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Neehar D Parikh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Provider Attitudes Toward Risk-Based Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance in Patients With Cirrhosis in the United States. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 20:183-193. [PMID: 32927050 PMCID: PMC8657369 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance rates are suboptimal in clinical practice. We aimed to elicit providers' opinions on the following aspects of HCC surveillance: preferred strategies, barriers and facilitators, and the impact of a patient's HCC risk on the choice of surveillance modality. METHODS We conducted a web-based survey among gastroenterology and hepatology providers (40% faculty physicians, 21% advanced practice providers, 39% fellow-trainees) from 26 US medical centers in 17 states. RESULTS Of 654 eligible providers, 305 (47%) completed the survey. Nearly all (98.4%) of the providers endorsed semi-annual HCC surveillance in patients with cirrhosis, with 84.2% recommending ultrasound ± alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and 15.4% recommending computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Barriers to surveillance included limited HCC treatment options, screening test effectiveness to reduce mortality, access to transportation, and high out-of-pocket costs. Facilitators of surveillance included professional society guidelines. Most providers (72.1%) would perform surveillance even if HCC risk was low (≤0.5% per year), while 98.7% would perform surveillance if HCC risk was ≥1% per year. As a patient's HCC risk increased from 1% to 3% to 5% per year, providers reported they would be less likely to order ultrasound ± AFP (83.6% to 68.9% to 57.4%; P < .001) and more likely to order CT or MRI ± AFP (3.9% to 26.2% to 36.1%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Providers recommend HCC surveillance even when HCC risk is much lower than the threshold suggested by professional societies. Many appear receptive to risk-based HCC surveillance strategies that depend on patients' estimated HCC risk, instead of our current "one-size-fits all" strategy.
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Park HJ, Seo N, Kim SY. Current Landscape and Future Perspectives of Abbreviated MRI for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance. Korean J Radiol 2022; 23:598-614. [PMID: 35434979 PMCID: PMC9174497 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2021.0896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
While ultrasound (US) is considered an important tool for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance, it has limited sensitivity for detecting early-stage HCC. Abbreviated MRI (AMRI) has recently gained popularity owing to better sensitivity in its detection of early-stage HCC than US, while also minimizing the time and cost in comparison to complete contrast-enhanced MRI, as AMRI includes only a few essential sequences tailored for detecting HCC. Currently, three AMRI protocols exist, namely gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary-phase AMRI, dynamic contrast-enhanced AMRI, and non-enhanced AMRI. In this study, we discussed the rationale and technical details of AMRI techniques for achieving optimal surveillance performance. The strengths, weaknesses, and current issues of each AMRI protocol were also elucidated. Moreover, we scrutinized previously performed AMRI studies regarding clinical and technical factors. Reporting and recall strategies were discussed while considering the differences in AMRI protocols. A risk-stratified approach for the target population should be taken to maximize the benefits of AMRI and the cost-effectiveness should be considered. In the era of multiple HCC surveillance tools, patients need to be fully informed about their choices for better adherence to a surveillance program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Jung Park
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Nieun Seo
- Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
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Blankenburg M, Elhamamy M, Zhang D, Corbin A, Jin G, Harris J, Knobloch G. Evaluation of the health economic impact of initial diagnostic modality selection in patients suspected of having HCC in China and the USA. J Med Econ 2022; 25:1015-1029. [PMID: 35930705 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2022.2110353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To compare relative costs associated with the diagnostic pathways for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the US and China according to the initial imaging modality used. Gadoxetate disodium (ethoxylbenzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI) was compared to contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), extracellular contrast media enhanced-MRI (ECCM-MRI) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). MATERIALS AND METHODS Decision tree models were developed to simulate the clinical pathway, based on local clinical guidelines, and validated by experts. Input data were derived from the literature (up to 31 December 2020) as well as from interviews with local experts. RESULTS The models showed that compared to alternative initial imaging modalities, EOB-MRI was associated with higher diagnostic accuracy (fewer false-positive and fewer false-negative results). Increasing proportionate use of EOB-MRI resulted in a cost offset per patient (excluding false-negative patients) in both the US (USD 337) and China (CNY 1,443), driven by reductions in scan costs and unnecessary treatment costs. The use of EOB-MRI was also associated with a shorter average waiting time for a final diagnosis and treatment decision for patients compared to MDCT, ECCM-MRI, and CEUS. CONCLUSION The findings of these models demonstrate that EOB-MRI is the most accurate and rapid imaging modality for the diagnosis of HCC in the US and China, resulting in cost offsets that may benefit the healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diana Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Bayer Healthcare Company Limited, Beijing, China
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Gil-Gómez A, Rojas Á, Liu CH, Gallego-Duran R, Muñoz-Hernandez R, Fassina G, Pontisso P, Ampuero J, Romero-Gómez M. Combination of squamous cell carcinoma antigen immunocomplex and alpha-fetoprotein in mid- and long-term prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma among cirrhotic patients. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:8343-8356. [PMID: 35068873 PMCID: PMC8717022 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i48.8343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The combination of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen immunocomplex (SCCA-IgM) have been proposed for its use in the screening of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Current screening programs for all cirrhotic patients are controversial and a personalized screening is an unmet need in the precision medicine era.
AIM To determine the role of the combination of SCCA-IgM and AFP in predicting mid- and long-term appearance of HCC.
METHODS Two-hundred and three cirrhotic patients (Child A 74.9%, B 21.2%, C 3.9%) were followed-up prospectively every six months to screen HCC by ultrasound and AFP according to European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines. The estimation cohort was recruited in Italy (30.5%; 62/203) and validation cohort from Spain (69.5%; 141/203). Patients underwent to evaluate SCCA-IgM by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Hepa-IC, Xeptagen, Italy) and AFP levels at baseline. Patients were followed-up for 60 mo, being censored at the time of the appearance of HCC.
RESULTS There were 10.8% and 23.1% of HCC development at two- and five-years follow-up. Patients with HCC showed higher levels of SCCA-IgM than those without it (425.72 ± 568.33 AU/mL vs 195.93 ± 188.40 AU/mL, P = 0.009) during the five-year follow-up. In multivariate analysis, after adjusting by age, sex, aspartate transaminase and Child-Pugh, the following factors were independently associated with HCC: SCCA-IgM [Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.001, 95%CI: 1.000-1.002; P = 0.003], AFP (HR = 1.028, 95%CI: 1.009-1.046; P = 0.003) and creatinine (HR = 1.564 95%CI: 1.151-2.124; P = 0.004). The log-rank test of the combination resulted in 7.488 (P = 0.024) in estimation cohort and 11.061 (P = 0.004) in the validation cohort, and a 100% of correctly classified rate identifying a low-risk group in both cohorts in the two-year follow-up.
CONCLUSION We have constructed a predictive model based on the combination of SCCA-IgM and AFP that provides a new HCC screening method, which could be followed by tailored HCC surveillance for individual patients, especially for those cirrhotic patients belonging to the subgroup identified as low-risk of HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Gil-Gómez
- SeLiver Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
- Mucosal Immunity Lab, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan 20089, Italy
| | - Ángela Rojas
- SeLiver Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Chang-Hai Liu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610017, Sichuan Province, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Chengdu 610017, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Rocio Gallego-Duran
- SeLiver Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Rocio Muñoz-Hernandez
- SeLiver Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | | | - Patrizia Pontisso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padova, Padova 35123, Italy
| | - Javier Ampuero
- SeLiver Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
- UCM Digestive Diseases, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Seville 41014, Spain
| | - Manuel Romero-Gómez
- SeLiver Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
- UCM Digestive Diseases, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Seville 41014, Spain
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An J. [Current Status and Future Directions of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance Test Based on Cost-effective Analysis]. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2021; 78:255-260. [PMID: 34824183 DOI: 10.4166/kjg.2021.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at an early stage enables patients to receive curative treatment with survival gains. Current international liver society guidelines recommend the enrollment of patients at high risk for HCC in surveillance programs. In Korea, surveillance for HCC advocated for patients with chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, and liver cirrhosis. The established surveillance tool for HCC is liver ultrasonography plus serum alpha-fetoprotein measurement every 6 months. However, there would be obstacles to the improvement of efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the HCC surveillance test. Assessing who is at risk of developing HCC remains incompletely validated. Also, which surveillance tools to use according to patients' characteristics are controversial. The present paper reviews the latest knowledge regarding the strategies and cost-effectiveness of HCC surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun An
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Korea
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