Efficacy of External Beam Radiation-Based Treatment plus Locoregional Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis

Liver transplantation for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: Controversy over portal vein tumor thrombosis

Liver transplantation (LT) is considered the ideal treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) concurrent with underlying cirrhotic liver disease. As well-known, LT for HCC based on the Milan criteria has shown satisfactory outcomes. However, numerous expanded transplantation criteria were proposed to benefit more patients for LT and showed comparable survivals as well. In addition, a modest expansion of transplantation criteria for HCC may be acceptable on the basis of the consensus within the transplantation community. Nonetheless, LT in patients with advanced HCC and portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) recently has received attention and has been reported by many transplantation centers despite being contraindicated. Of those, the LT outcomes in certain HCC patients with PVTT were favorable. Additionally, the advancement of multimodality treatments and the evolution of systemic therapies have emerged as promising therapeutic options for downstaging advanced HCC prior to LT. Somehow, advanced HCC with PVTT could be downstaged to become eligible for LT through these multidisciplinary approaches. Although the available evidence of LT for HCC with PVTT is limited, it is hoped that LT may soon be more widely indicated for these patients. Nevertheless, several unknown factors associated with LT for HCC remain to be explored. Herein, this review aimed to update the developments in LT for patients with advanced HCC.

Effect of Synchronous Versus Sequential Regimens on the Pharmacokinetics and Biodistribution of Regorafenib with Irradiation

This study was performed to evaluate the interaction between conventional or high-dose radiotherapy (RT) and the pharmacokinetics (PK) of regorafenib in concurrent or sequential regimens for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Concurrent and sequential in vitro and in vivo studies of irradiation and regorafenib were designed. The interactions of RT and regorafenib in vitro were examined in the human hepatoma Huh-7, HA22T and Hep G2 cell lines. The RT–PK phenomenon and biodistribution of regorafenib under RT were confirmed in a free-moving rat model. Regorafenib inhibited the viability of Huh-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Apoptosis in Huh-7 cells was enhanced by RT followed by regorafenib treatment. In the concurrent regimen, RT decreased the area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC)_regorafenib by 74% (p = 0.001) in the RT_{2 Gy × 3 fraction (f’x)} group and by 69% (p = 0.001) in the RT_{9 Gy × 3 f’x} group. The AUC_regorafenib was increased by 182.8% (p = 0.011) in the sequential RT_{2Gy × 1 f’x} group and by 213.2% (p = 0.016) in the sequential RT_{9Gy × 1 f’x} group. Both concurrent regimens, RT_{2Gy × 3 f’x} and RT_{9Gy × 3 f’x}, clearly decreased the biodistribution of regorafenib in the heart, liver, lung, spleen and kidneys, compared to the control (regorafenib _{× 3 d}) group. The concurrent regimens, both RT_{2Gy × 3 f’x} and RT_{9Gy × 3 f’x}, significantly decreased the biodistribution of regorafenib, compared with the control group. The PK of regorafenib can be modulated both by off-target irradiation and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Nomogram for Individualized Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis on Conservative Treatment

Background

Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is one of the major predictive factors for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The objective of this study was to establish a prognostic nomogram for identifying individual survival outcomes in patients with HCC and PVTT on conservative treatment based on specific factors.

Methods

Two hundred and ten patients with HCC and PVTT on conservative treatment in Beijing Ditan Hospital between June 2008 and May 2017 were studied retrospectively as a derivation cohort. We built a nomogram based on independent risk factors for survival prediction. The concordance index (c-index) and a calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive accuracy. During the study, 102 patients were included at the Putuo Hospital and Third People's Hospital of Changzhou as a validation cohort.

Results

In the derivation cohort, the independent factors for overall survival were identified by multivariate analysis, namely, aspartate aminotransferase ≥119 IU/L, gamma-glutamyl transferase ≥115 IU/L, Child–Pugh class C liver function, creatinine ≥91 μmoI/L, α-fetoprotein ≥400 ng/ml, and largest tumor diameter ≥5 cm. The nomogram had a c-index of 0.737 (95% confidence interval, 0.692–0.782) and the calibration curves fitted well. The median survival time was 4.2 months in the derivation cohort, with an MST of 5 months for BCLC C stage and 1.8 months for BCLC D stage patients. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significant statistical differences in the 6-month overall survival rates of the primary and validation cohorts after the total scores were divided into three quartiles (low risk: 0–85; intermediate risk: 86–210; high risk: ≥211; p < 0.0001 in both cohorts).

Conclusions

The nomogram can be a more accurate and individualized prediction for 6-month overall survival of patients with HCC and PVTT on conservative treatment, and it is possible to consider further active interventions for patients in the low-risk group (0–85 scores) to achieve the aim of prolonging survival.

Adjuvant radiotherapy in central hepatocellular carcinoma after narrow-margin hepatectomy: A 10-year real-world evidence

Objective

A prospective randomized control study investigated the feasibility and efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy on patients with central hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after narrow-margin hepatectomy (<1 cm). This study presents an updated 10-year real-world evidence to further characterize the role of adjuvant radiotherapy.

Methods

Patients with central HCC after narrow-margin hepatectomy (<1 cm) were prospectively assigned to adjuvant radiotherapy group and control group. Patients' outcome, adverse events, long-term recurrence and survival rates were investigated.

Results

The 1-, 5-, and 10-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 81.0%, 43.9%, and 38.7%, respectively in adjuvant radiotherapy group and 71.7%, 35.8%, and 24.2%, respectively in control group (log-rank test, P=0.09). The 1-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 96.6%, 54.7%, and 42.8%, respectively in adjuvant radiotherapy group and 90.2%, 55.1%, and 30.0%, respectively in control group (log-rank test, P=0.20). The 1-, 5-, and 10-year RFS rates for patients with small HCC (≤5 cm) were 91.1%, 51.6%, and 48.4%, respectively in adjuvant radiotherapy group and 80.0%, 36.6%, and 26.6%, respectively in control group (log-rank test, P=0.03). Landmark analysis demonstrated that patients with small HCC in adjuvant radiotherapy group had a significantly improved OS in second five years after treatment in comparison to patients in control group (log-rank test, P=0.05).

Conclusions

Our updated results showed a sustained clinical benefit on reducing recurrence, improving long-term survival for small central HCC by adjuvant radiotherapy after narrow-margin hepatectomy. Long-term survival data also indicated that hepatectomy is an optimal treatment for selected patients with central HCC.

Advantage of early liver transplantation whenever indicated for hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after primary liver resection

Background

Liver transplantation (LT) for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following liver resection (LR) has been considered a promising strategy for improving patient's outcome. The study aimed to analyse patients from primary LR to LT for HCC and to provide additional information for decision-making in therapeutic strategies for patients with HCC.

Methods

Among 776 LTs, a retrospective analysis of patients who had undergone LT for recurrent HCC after primary LR between May 2005 and 2017 February was performed.

Results

During the follow-up period, the overall recurrence-free survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 84.8%, 68.2% and 68.2%, and disease-specific overall-survival rates were 95.7%, 74.4% and 66.7% at 1, 3 and 5 years after LT, respectively. Beyond University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) transplantation criteria (p = 0.018, hazard ratio (HR) = 12.70), maximum tumor size ≥ 5 cm at LR (p = 0.012, HR = 7.90) and period between post-LR HCC recurrence and LT ≥ 1 year (p = 0.030, HR = 7.57) were prognostic factors of HCC recurrence after LT. Moreover, HCC recurrence after LT was the solely independent risk factor affecting overall survival of patients.

Conclusion

Large tumor size at LR should be taken into cautious tending to HCC recurrence even after salvage LT. Importantly, LT should be considered as soon as possible preferably within 1 year whenever post-LR recurrent HCC meets transplantation criteria.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy versus conventionally fractionated radiotherapy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein invasion: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) and conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein invasion (PVI).

METHODS

HCC patients with PVI treated with radiotherapy from 2007 to 2016 were analysed. CFRT was administered at a median dose of 51.5 Gy (interquartile range, 45-54 Gy) with 1.8-3 Gy per fraction. SABR was administered at a median dose of 45 Gy (interquartile range, 40-48 Gy) with 6-12.5 Gy per fraction. Treatment efficacy, toxicity, and associated predictors were assessed.

RESULTS

Among the 104 evaluable patients (45 in the SABR group and 59 in the CFRT group), the overall response rate (ORR, complete and partial response) was significantly higher in the SABR group than the CFRT group (62.2% vs. 33.8%, p = 0.003). The 1-year overall survival (OS) rate (34.9% vs. 15.3%, p = 0.012) and in-field progression-free survival (IFPS) rate (69.6% vs. 32.2%, p = 0.007) were also significantly higher in the SABR vs. CFRT group. All 3 rates remained higher in the SABR group after propensity score matching. Multivariable analysis identified SABR and a biologically effective dose ≥65 Gy as favourable predicators of OS. There was no difference between treatment groups in the incidence of radiation-induced liver disease or increase of Child-Pugh score ≥ 2 within 3 months of radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

SABR was superior to CFRT in terms of ORR, OS, and IFPS. We suggest that SABR should be the preferred technique for HCC patients with PVI.

Implementation of sorafenib treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: an illustration of current practice in Taiwan

Background

Sorafenib is the first regimen listed in the treatment algorithm for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of sorafenib treatment for advanced HCC in a clinical practice using a nationwide population study.

Methods

All patients registered with a diagnosis of primary HCC and identified as having been prescribed sorafenib between August 2012 and December 2015 were selected from a national database and retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes related to prescription of sorafenib for these patients were further assessed.

Results

A total of 9,738 patients were enrolled and analyzed. As a result, 32.33% of patients had an initial treatment response and were eligible for the prescribed second term (240 tablets/ term) of sorafenib and 8.91% of patients received more than three terms of sorafenib. Meanwhile, the duration of sorafenib usage beyond 6 months was noted in 15.49% of patients, including 10.59% of patients with a period of usage between 6 and 12 months and 4.9% of patients with more than 12 months usage. Survival analysis showed that patients who received locoregional therapy plus sorafenib had significantly better survival rates than those who underwent only sorafenib treatment. Certain patients who underwent hepatectomy (n=12) or liver transplantation (n=13) were subsequently free of HCC.

Conclusion

The disease control rate of sorafenib in advanced HCC patients in this study seemed similarly poorer as what has been previously reported by clinical trials. The combination of sorafenib and additional treatments could perhaps provide survival benefits and possibly cure disease in combination with surgical management.

Clinical Case Panel: Treatment Alternatives for Inoperable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Surgical resection or liver transplantation offers the best chance of cure for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, most patients are not good candidates for liver resection due to locally advanced disease or compromised liver function. Moreover, liver transplantation waiting lists are long. For those cases not amenable for resection, a variety of local treatment modalities are available, such as image-guided ablative procedures, transarterial chemoembolization, and radioembolization, as well as external beam radiation. HCC presentation can vary considerably in size, number, and location of lesions. The management of inoperable HCC is, therefore, quite complex, and there is a lack of consensus on the best local treatment modality for each type tumor presentation. Here, we present 4 clinical case scenarios representative of commonly seen cases in the clinical setting, with different therapeutic perspectives from institutions with high expertise in the management of HCC.

Therapeutic Evaluation of Radiotherapy with Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Non-Resectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis

BACKGROUND Therapeutic evaluation of 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) is rarely reported for non-resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). The aim of this study was to determine the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating the therapeutic response of HCC with PVTT treated with 3DCRT. MATERIAL AND METHODS PVTT reduction rate in the study was determined after 3DCRT using time intensity curve (TIC) analysis software before and after radiotherapy. Seventy-nine HCC patients with PVTT treated with 3DCRT were studied. HCC and PVTT were performed by CEUS, before and after 3DCRT, over time. The parameters of blood flow, including arrival time (AT), time to peak (TTP), peak intensity (PI), washout time (WT), and area under the curve (AUC), were quantified and evaluated on still images by CEUS. RESULTS After 3DCRT, typing and staging of PVTT in 38 patients was decreased, the reduction rate was 48.1%. HCC was effective in 45 patients, the effective rate was 57%; No differences were found between the PVTT reduction rate and the HCC effective rate (χ2=2.96, P>0.05). In the effective group, the PI and AUC of HCCs and PVTTs after 3DCRT were significantly lower than before 3DCRT, while the other parameters of TIC were not significantly different before and after 3DCRT. CONCLUSIONS CEUS might be a useful monitoring option for the evaluation of HCC with PVTT treated with 3DCRT. CEUS might be useful as an important choice for monitoring and evaluation HCC with PVTT after 3DCRT. TIC parameters might provide quantitative data for efficacy evaluation, which helps to modify treatment strategies timely and accurately.