Changes of long-term survival of resection and liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma throughout the years: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) still is one of the most detrimental malignant diseases in the world. As two curative surgical therapies exist, the discussion whether to opt for liver resection (LR) or transplantation (LT) is ongoing, especially as novel techniques to improve outcome have emerged for both. The aim of the study was to investigate how the utilization and outcome of the respective modalities changed through time.

METHODS

We searched Medline and PubMed for relevant publications comparing LT and LR in HCC patients during the time period from 1990 to 2022, prior to March 31, 2023. A total of 63 studies involving 19,804 patients - of whom 8178 patients received a liver graft and 11,626 underwent partial hepatectomy - were included in this meta-analysis.

RESULTS

LT is associated with significantly better 5-year overall survival (OS) (64.83%) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (70.20%) than LR (OS: 50.83%, OR: 1.79, p < 0.001; RFS: 34.46%, OR: 5.32, p < 0.001). However, these differences are not as evident in short-term intervals. Older cohorts showed comparable disparities between the outcome of the respective modalities, as did newer cohorts after 2005. This might be due to the similar improvement in survival rates that were observed for both, LT (15-23%) and LR (12-20%) during the last 30 years.

CONCLUSION

LT still outperforms LR in the therapy of HCC in terms of long-term survival rates. Yet, LR outcome has remarkably improved which is of major importance in reference to the well-known limitations that occur in LT.

eIF4A1 Is a Prognostic Marker and Actionable Target in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver tumor with high lethality and increasing incidence worldwide. While tumor resection or liver transplantation is effective in the early stages of the disease, the therapeutic options for advanced HCC remain limited and the benefits are temporary. Thus, novel therapeutic targets and more efficacious treatments against this deadly cancer are urgently needed. Here, we investigated the pathogenetic and therapeutic role of eukaryotic initiation factor 4A1 (eIF4A1) in this tumor type. We observed consistent eIF4A1 upregulation in HCC lesions compared with non-tumorous surrounding liver tissues. In addition, eIF4A1 levels were negatively correlated with the prognosis of HCC patients. In HCC lines, the exposure to various eIF4A inhibitors triggered a remarkable decline in proliferation and augmented apoptosis, paralleled by the inhibition of several oncogenic pathways. Significantly, anti-growth effects were achieved at nanomolar concentrations of the eIF4A1 inhibitors and were further increased by the simultaneous administration of the pan mTOR inhibitor, Rapalink-1. In conclusion, our results highlight the pathogenetic relevance of eIF4A1 in HCC and recommend further evaluation of the potential usefulness of pharmacological combinations based on eIF4A and mTOR inhibitors in treating this aggressive tumor.

The Treatment Effect of Liver Transplantation versus Liver Resection for HCC: A Review and Future Perspectives

For patients presenting with hepatocellular carcinoma within the Milan criteria, either liver resection or liver transplantation can be performed. However, to what extent either of these treatment options is superior in terms of long-term survival is unknown. Obviously, the comparison of these treatments is complicated by several selection processes. In this article, we comprehensively review the current literature with a focus on factors accounting for selection bias. Thus far, studies that did not perform an intention-to-treat analysis conclude that liver transplantation is superior to liver resection for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. In contrast, studies performing an intention-to-treat analysis state that survival is comparable between both modalities. Furthermore, all studies demonstrate that disease-free survival is longer after liver transplantation compared to liver resection. With respect to the latter, implications of recurrences for survival are rarely discussed. Heterogeneous treatment effects and logical inconsistencies indicate that studies with a higher level of evidence are needed to determine if liver transplantation offers a survival benefit over liver resection. However, randomised controlled trials, as the golden standard, are believed to be infeasible. Therefore, we suggest an alternative research design from the causal inference literature. The rationale for a regression discontinuity design that exploits the natural experiment created by the widely adopted Milan criteria will be discussed. In this type of study, the analysis is focused on liver transplantation patients just within the Milan criteria and liver resection patients just outside, hereby ensuring equal distribution of confounders.

Surgical resection versus radiofrequency ablation for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer very early stage hepatocellular carcinoma: long-term results of a single-center study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to compare long-term outcomes of surgical resection (SR) and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) very early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Total of 387 patients (SR group, 156; RFA group, 231) with well-preserved liver function (Child-Pugh A) diagnosed with a solitary HCC less than 2 cm were included. The overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were compared.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 39 months. The overall tumor recurrence rate was 16.7% in the SR group and 27.7% in the RFA group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 100%, 97.2%, and 93.4%, respectively, in the SR group, compared with 100%, 88.6%, and 73.5%, respectively, in the RFA group (P < 0.001). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year RFS rates were 94.6%, 84.1%, and 78.3%, respectively, in the SR group, and 87.7%, 62.1%, and 46.8%, respectively, in the RFA group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical resection provides better OS and RFS compared with percutaneous RFA for patients with BCLC very early HCC in long-term follow-up.

Profile of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Republic of Moldova: first-hand information on the presentation, distribution and etiologies

INTRODUCTION

Moldova is the European country with the highest incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in both sexes. There is, however, no data comprehensively describing the presentation and the risk factors of HCC in the country. We decided to analyze cases of HCC recently received in a tertiary healthcare Institution from Chisinau, the Moldovian capital.

METHODS

A series of 148 primary liver tumors including 139 cases of HCC were retrospectively analyzed for demographic features, serological and biochemical data, and clinical presentation.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 59 ± 10 years (range: 19-66) with a M:F sex ratio of 1.9. Tumors appeared on full-blown liver cirrhosis in 83% of cases and were composed of multiple nodules at diagnosis in 36% of patients. Serum Alpha-fetoprotein was exceeding 10ng/mL in 76% of cases. Liver tumor and hepatitis were co-discovered in 34% of cases. More than 81% of hepatocellular carcinomas were associated with at least one hepatitis virus. Carriers of anti-hepatitis C virus were predominating (55% of cases) over patients seropositive for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (36%). Half of the latter were also infected with hepatitis Delta virus. In total, dual or triple infections were present in 24% and 7% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of infections with hepatitis viruses is particularly important in Moldova and corresponds to a situation commonly observed in countries of the Southern hemisphere. A pro-active policy of screening for persistent liver infection targeting population at risk of HCC (> 50 years) and coupled with the distribution of antivirals in positive cases should be rapidly implemented in Moldova to reduce incidence or primary liver cancer.