1
|
Lasagni S, Leonardi F, Pivetti A, Di Marco L, Ravaioli F, Serenari M, Gitto S, Critelli RM, Milosa F, Romanzi A, Mancarella S, Dituri F, Riefolo M, Catellani B, Magistri P, Romagnoli D, Celsa C, Enea M, de Maria N, Schepis F, Colecchia A, Cammà C, Cescon M, d’Errico A, di Benedetto F, Giannelli G, Martinez-Chantar ML, Villa E. Endothelial angiopoietin-2 overexpression in explanted livers identifies subjects at higher risk of recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation. Front Oncol 2022; 12:960808. [PMID: 36158651 PMCID: PMC9493368 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.960808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Though the precise criteria for accessing LT are consistently being applied, HCC recurrence (HCC-R_LT) still affects more than 15% of the patients. We analyzed the clinical, histopathological, and biological features of patients with HCC to identify the predictive factors associated with cancer recurrence and survival after LT. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 441 patients with HCC who underwent LT in our center. Overall, 70 (15.8%) of them developed HCC-R_LT. We matched them by age at transplant and etiology with 70 non-recurrent patients. A comparable cohort from the Liver Transplant Centre of Bologna served as validation. The clinical and biochemical characteristics and pre-LT criteria (Milan, Metroticket, Metroticket_AFP, and AFP model) were evaluated. Histological analysis and immunohistochemistry for angiopoietin-2 in the tumor and non-tumor tissue of explanted livers were performed. Patients’ follow-up was until death, last clinical evaluation, or 31 December 2021. In patients with HCC-R_LT, the date of diagnosis of recurrence and anatomical site has been reported; if a biopsy of recurrence was available, histologic and immunohistochemical analyses were also performed. Results Patients were followed up for a mean period of 62.7 ± 54.7 months (median, 39 months). A higher risk of HCC-R_LT was evident for factors related indirectly (AFP) or directly (endothelial angiopoietin-2, microvascular invasion) to biological HCC aggressiveness. In multivariate analysis, only angiopoietin-2 expression was independently associated with recurrence. Extremely high levels of endothelial angiopoietin-2 expression were also found in hepatic recurrence and all different metastatic locations. In univariate analysis, MELD, Metroticket_AFP Score, Edmondson–Steiner grade, microvascular invasion, and endothelial angiopoietin-2 were significantly related to survival. In multivariate analysis, angiopoietin-2 expression, Metroticket_AFP score, and MELD (in both training and validation cohorts) independently predicted mortality. In time-dependent area under receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the endothelial angiopoietin-2 expression had the highest specificity and sensitivity for recurrence (AUC 0.922, 95% CI 0.876–0.962, p < 0.0001). Conclusions Endothelial angiopoietin-2 expression is a powerful independent predictor of post-LT tumor recurrence and mortality, highlighting the fundamental role of tumor biology in defining the patients’ prognosis after liver transplantation. The great advantage of endothelial angiopoietin-2 is that it is evaluable in HCC biopsy before LT and could drive a patient’s priority on the waiting list.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Lasagni
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Filippo Leonardi
- Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pivetti
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Lorenza Di Marco
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federico Ravaioli
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Matteo Serenari
- Liver Transplant Center, University of Bologna, Balogna, Italy
| | - Stefano Gitto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rosina Maria Critelli
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabiola Milosa
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Adriana Romanzi
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Serena Mancarella
- National Institute of Gastroenterology “Saverio de Bellis”, Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Francesco Dituri
- National Institute of Gastroenterology “Saverio de Bellis”, Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Mattia Riefolo
- Pathology Unit, Istituto di ricovero e cura a carattere scientifico (IRCCS) Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Catellani
- Liver Transplant Center, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Paolo Magistri
- Liver Transplant Center, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Dante Romagnoli
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Ciro Celsa
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences (Di.Chir.On.S.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Enea
- Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care (PROMISE) University of Palermo, Palermo, Spain
| | - Nicola de Maria
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Filippo Schepis
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio Colecchia
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Calogero Cammà
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matteo Cescon
- Liver Transplant Center, University of Bologna, Balogna, Italy
| | - Antonietta d’Errico
- Pathology Unit, Istituto di ricovero e cura a carattere scientifico (IRCCS) Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabrizio di Benedetto
- Liver Transplant Center, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology “Saverio de Bellis”, Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd “Instituto de Salud Carlos III”), Derio, Spain
| | - Erica Villa
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
- *Correspondence: Erica Villa,
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kurakawa KI, Okada A, Bessho K, Jo T, Ono S, Michihata N, Kumazawa R, Matsui H, Fushimi K, Yamaguchi S, Yamauchi T, Nangaku M, Kadowaki T, Yasunaga H. Major complications after percutaneous biopsy of native or transplanted liver in pediatric patients: a nationwide inpatient database study in Japan. BMC Gastroenterol 2022; 22:395. [PMID: 36002811 PMCID: PMC9404589 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-022-02476-7] [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: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim Although major complication rates following percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) have been reported to be higher in children than in adults, scarce data are available regarding pediatric patients stratified by native and transplanted liver. We aimed to assess the factors associated with major complications after percutaneous biopsy of native or transplanted liver using a nationwide inpatient database.
Methods Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we retrospectively identified pediatric patients who underwent PLB between 2010 and 2018. We described major complication rates and analyzed factors associated with major complications following PLB, stratified by native and transplanted liver. Results We identified 3584 pediatric PLBs among 1732 patients from 239 hospitals throughout Japan during the study period, including 1310 in the native liver and 2274 in the transplanted liver. Major complications following PLB were observed in 0.5% (n = 18) of the total cases; PLB in the transplanted liver had major complications less frequently than those in the native liver (0.2% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.002). The occurrence of major complications was associated with younger age, liver cancers, unscheduled admission, anemia or coagulation disorders in cases with native liver, while it was associated with younger age alone in cases with transplanted liver. Conclusions The present study, using a nationwide database, found that major complications occurred more frequently in pediatric cases with native liver and identified several factors associated with its major complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kayo Ikeda Kurakawa
- Department of Prevention of Diabetes and Lifestyle-Related Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons With Disabilities, Saitama, Japan
| | - Akira Okada
- Department of Prevention of Diabetes and Lifestyle-Related Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Bessho
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Taisuke Jo
- Department of Health Services Research, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sachiko Ono
- Department of Eat-Loss Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Michihata
- Department of Health Services Research, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Kumazawa
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Matsui
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyohide Fushimi
- Department of Health Policy and Informatics, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoko Yamaguchi
- Department of Prevention of Diabetes and Lifestyle-Related Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshimasa Yamauchi
- Department of Diabetes and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaomi Nangaku
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Kadowaki
- Department of Prevention of Diabetes and Lifestyle-Related Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. .,Toranomon Hospital, 2-2-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8470, Japan.
| | - Hideo Yasunaga
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Application of alkaline phosphatase‑to‑platelet ratio as a novel noninvasive index predicts liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Exp Ther Med 2022; 24:619. [PMID: 36160889 PMCID: PMC9468833 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11556] [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: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessment of the extent of liver fibrosis is a crucial requirement for the design of antiviral treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Several non-invasive predictive indices have been developed as potential alternatives to liver biopsy for fibrosis assessment. The present study aimed to establish a novel non-invasive method for predicting liver fibrosis in patients with CHB. A total of 382 patients with CHB who underwent liver biopsy and pathological examination at The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University (Hefei, China) were enrolled into the present study. Liver fibrosis was assessed according to the meta-analysis of histological data in viral hepatitis scoring system. Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore possibly significant characteristics associated with liver fibrosis. In addition, potential correlations between the alkaline phosphatase (AKP)-to-platelet count (PLT) ratio (APPR) and the aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio (GPR) were assessed using Spearman's correlation analysis. Subsequently, the performance of APPR was compared with APRI, FIB-4 and GPR using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Logistic regression analysis identified AKP and PLT to be significant independent predictors of fibrosis. Therefore, an index was then constructed for predicting the degree of fibrosis, which was expressed using the formula APPR=AKP (IU/ml)/PLT (1x109/l). APPR was found to be positively associated with the fibrotic stage of the liver in addition to being positively correlated with APRI, FIB-4 and GPR. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) values of APPR were also significantly higher compared with those of APRI and FIB-4 in predicting significant fibrosis but were equal to those of GPR. However, for advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, the AUROC value of APPR was shown to be higher compared with that of APRI, FIB-4 and GPR. In conclusion, these observations suggest that APPR is a viable marker that can be used to assess liver fibrosis in patients with CHB.
Collapse
|