Cancer immunotherapy in patients with new or recurrent malignancies after liver transplantation. Int J Surg Oncol (NY). 2017;2:e49. [PMID: 29302641 PMCID: PMC5732630 DOI: 10.1097/ij9.0000000000000049]

Biological therapies in patients with liver disease: are they really lifesavers?

INTRODUCTION

The liver plays a key role in the setting of immune tolerance. Targeting antigens for presentation by antigen-presenting cells in the liver can induce immune tolerance to either autoantigens from the liver itself or organs outside of the liver. Despite its non-conventional capacity for tolerance induction, the liver remains a target organ for autoimmune diseases. Whereas chronic inflammation and intra-hepatic immuno-suppressive microenvironment occurring during liver fibrosis lead to hepatocellular carcinoma. Monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the therapeutic strategies of many autoimmune diseases and some cancers.

AREAS COVERED

We review data from literature regarding the safety and efficacy of biologics in treating hepatobiliary autoimmune diseases and primary liver cancers. Furthermore, we describe their potential use in the setting of liver transplants and their main immune-related liver adverse events.

EXPERT OPINION

Biological therapies have changed the natural history of main autoimmune diseases and solid cancers. Compared to other organs and disease settings, the liver lags behind in biologics and their applications. The development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on the immunological and antigenic characteristics of the hepatobiliary system could reduce mortality and transplant rates linked to chronic liver diseases.

Anti-Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1) Immunotherapy for Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Liver Transplantation: A Report of Three Cases

The treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation is difficult due to the lack of effective treatment options. The available evidence on the emerging immunotherapy in liver transplantation is based on anecdotal experiences and requires additional investigations. To determine the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy in liver transplant recipients, we report three cases of recurrent metastatic HCC after liver transplantation who were treated with nivolumab as off-label salvage therapy.

Harnessing immunotherapy for liver recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a review from a transplant oncology perspective

Without stringent criteria, liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can lead to high cancer recurrence and poor prognosis in the current treatment context. Checkpoint inhibitors can lead to long survival by targeting coinhibitory pathways and promoting T-cell activity; thus, they have great potential for cancer immunotherapy. Therapeutic modulation of cosignaling pathways may shift paradigms from surgical prevention of recurrence to oncological intervention. Herein, we review the available evidence from a therapeutic perspective and focus on immune microenvironment perturbation by immunosuppressants and checkpoint inhibitors. Partial and reversible interleukin-2 signaling blockade is the mainstream strategy of immunosuppression for graft protection. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is abundantly expressed on human liver allograft-infiltrating T-cells, which proliferate considerably after programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade. Clinically, checkpoint inhibitors are used in heart, liver, and kidney recipients with various cancers. Rejection can occur after checkpoint inhibitor administration through acute T-cell-mediated, antibody-mediated, or chronic allograft rejection mechanisms. Nevertheless, liver recipients may demonstrate favorable responses to treatment for HCC recurrence without rejection. Pharmacodynamically, substantial degrees of receptor occupancy can be achieved with lower doses, with favorable clinical outcomes. Manipulation of the immune microenvironment is a therapeutic niche that balances seemingly conflicting anticancer and graft protection needs. Additional translational and clinical studies emphasizing the comparative effectiveness of signaling networks within the immune microenvironment and conducting overall assessment of the immune microenvironment may aid in creating a therapeutic window and benefiting future liver recipients with HCC recurrence.

Multidisciplinary approach for post-liver transplant recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma: A proposed management algorithm

A large number of liver transplants have been performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and recurrence is increasingly encountered. The recurrence of HCC after liver transplantation is notoriously difficult to manage. We hereby propose multi-disciplinary management with a systematic approach. The patient is jointly managed by the transplant surgeon, physician, oncologist and radiologist. Immunosuppressants should be tapered to the lowest effective dose to protect against rejection. The combination of a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor with a reduced calcineurin inhibitor could be considered with close monitoring of graft function and toxicity. Comprehensive staging can be performed by dual-tracer positron emission tomography-computed tomography or the combination of contrast computed tomography and a bone scan. In patients with disseminated recurrence, sorafenib confers survival benefits but is associated with significant drug toxicity. Oligo-recurrence encompasses recurrent disease that is limited in number and location so that loco-regional treatments convey disease control and survival benefits. Intra-hepatic recurrence can be managed with graft resection, but significant operative morbidity is expected. Radiofrequency ablation and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) are effective alternative strategies. In patients with more advanced hepatic disease, regional treatment with trans-arterial chemoembolization or intra-arterial Yttrium-90 can be considered. For patients with extra-hepatic oligo-recurrence, loco-regional treatment can be considered if practical. Patients with more than one site of recurrence are not always contraindicated for curative treatments. Surgical resection is effective for patients with pulmonary oligo-recurrence, but adequate lung function is a pre-requisite. SBRT is a non-invasive and effective modality that conveys local control to pulmonary and skeletal oligo-recurrences.