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Achurra P, Fernandes E, O'Kane G, Grant R, Cattral M, Sapisochin G. Liver transplantation for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: who, when and how. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2024; 29:161-171. [PMID: 38258823 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000001136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Using transplant oncology principles, selected patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) may achieve long-term survival after liver transplantation. Strategies for identifying and managing these patients are discussed in this review. RECENT FINDINGS Unlike initial reports, several modern series have reported positive outcomes after liver transplantation for iCCA. The main challenges are in identifying the appropriate candidates and graft scarcity. Tumor burden and response to neoadjuvant therapies have been successfully used to identify favorable biology in unresectable cases. New molecular biomarkers will probably predict this response in the future. Also, new technologies and better strategies have been used to increase graft availability for these patients without affecting the liver waitlist. SUMMARY Liver transplantation for the management of patients with unresectable iCCA is currently a reality under strict research protocols. Who is a candidate for transplantation, when to use neoadjuvant and locoregional therapies, and how to increase graft availability are the main topics of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Achurra
- Department of Abdominal Transplant and HPB Surgical Oncology, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eduardo Fernandes
- Department of Surgery and Abdominal Organ Transplantation - São Lucas Hospital Copacabana, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Grainne O'Kane
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert Grant
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Cattral
- Department of Abdominal Transplant and HPB Surgical Oncology, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto
| | - Gonzalo Sapisochin
- Department of Abdominal Transplant and HPB Surgical Oncology, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto
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Catanzaro E, Gringeri E, Burra P, Gambato M. Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis-Associated Cholangiocarcinoma: From Pathogenesis to Diagnostic and Surveillance Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4947. [PMID: 37894314 PMCID: PMC10604939 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15204947] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the most common malignancy in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), accounting for 2-8% of cases and being the leading cause of death in these patients. The majority of PSC-associated CCAs (PSC-CCA) develop within the first few years after PSC diagnosis. Older age and male sex, as well as concomitant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or high-grade biliary stenosis, are some of the most relevant risk factors. A complex combination of molecular mechanisms involving inflammatory pathways, direct cytopathic damage, and epigenetic and genetic alterations are involved in cholangiocytes carcinogenesis. The insidious clinical presentation makes early detection difficult, and the integration of biochemical, radiological, and histological features does not always lead to a definitive diagnosis of PSC-CCA. Surveillance is mandatory, but current guideline strategies failed to improve early detection and consequently a higher patient survival rate. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), gene methylation, proteomic and metabolomic profile, and extracellular vesicle components are some of the novel biomarkers recently applied in PSC-CCA detection with promising results. The integration of these new molecular approaches in PSC diagnosis and monitoring could contribute to new diagnostic and surveillance strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Catanzaro
- Gastroenterology, Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Enrico Gringeri
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Burra
- Gastroenterology, Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Martina Gambato
- Gastroenterology, Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
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