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Peeters F, Cappuyns S, Piqué-Gili M, Phillips G, Verslype C, Lambrechts D, Dekervel J. Applications of single-cell multi-omics in liver cancer. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:101094. [PMID: 39022385 PMCID: PMC11252522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101094] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer, more specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains a significant global health problem associated with increasing incidence and mortality. Clinical, biological, and molecular heterogeneity are well-known hallmarks of cancer and HCC is considered one of the most heterogeneous tumour types, displaying substantial inter-patient, intertumoural and intratumoural variability. This heterogeneity plays a pivotal role in hepatocarcinogenesis, metastasis, relapse and drug response or resistance. Unimodal single-cell sequencing techniques have already revolutionised our understanding of the different layers of molecular hierarchy in the tumour microenvironment of HCC. By highlighting the cellular heterogeneity and the intricate interactions among cancer, immune and stromal cells before and during treatment, these techniques have contributed to a deeper comprehension of tumour clonality, hematogenous spreading and the mechanisms of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, major questions remain to be elucidated, with the identification of biomarkers predicting response or resistance to immunotherapy-based regimens representing an important unmet clinical need. Although the application of single-cell multi-omics in liver cancer research has been limited thus far, a revolution of individualised care for patients with HCC will only be possible by integrating various unimodal methods into multi-omics methodologies at the single-cell resolution. In this review, we will highlight the different established single-cell sequencing techniques and explore their biological and clinical impact on liver cancer research, while casting a glance at the future role of multi-omics in this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Peeters
- Digestive Oncology, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Centre for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Cappuyns
- Digestive Oncology, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Centre for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marta Piqué-Gili
- Liver Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gino Phillips
- Laboratory for Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Centre for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chris Verslype
- Digestive Oncology, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Diether Lambrechts
- Laboratory for Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Centre for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Dekervel
- Digestive Oncology, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Umar Garzali I, Carr BI, İnce V, Işık B, Nur Akatlı A, Yılmaz S. Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Some Puzzling Facets. THE TURKISH JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF TURKISH SOCIETY OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2024; 35:143-149. [PMID: 38454246 PMCID: PMC10895888 DOI: 10.5152/tjg.2024.22769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Hepatocellular carcinoma is the main type of primary liver cancer. Macroscopic vascular invasion is usually identified during imaging, whereas microvascular invasion is usually determined by histopathological evaluation. We aim to identify the association between microvascular invasion and other markers of tumor aggressiveness and to identify the role of microvascular invasion in the prognosis of patients who were treated by liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a single-center retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Patients who received liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma were included in the study. Data were collected regarding sociodemographic variables, criteria of selection for liver transplantation, pretransplant alpha-fetoprotein, presence or absence of microvascular invasion, presence or absence of recurrence, overall survival, and disease-free survival. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. RESULTS Sociodemographic laboratory values and radiologic tumor characteristics were found to be similar in patients with or without microvascular invasion. Our study revealed that microvascular invasion is associated with increased recurrence, decreased diseasedfree survival, and decreased overall survival, only for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma beyond Milan criteria at the time of liver transplantation. CONCLUSION For patients beyond Milan criteria, but not within Milan criteria, microvascular invasion plays a significant role in predicting recurrence and shorter survival after liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Umar Garzali
- Liver Transplant Institute, İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Brian I. Carr
- Liver Transplant Institute, İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Volkan İnce
- Liver Transplant Institute, İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
- Department of Surgery, İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Burak Işık
- Liver Transplant Institute, İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
- Department of Surgery, İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Nur Akatlı
- Department of Pathology, İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Sezai Yılmaz
- Liver Transplant Institute, İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
- Department of Surgery, İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
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Kocheise L, Schoenlein M, Behrends B, Joerg V, Casar C, Fruendt TW, Renné T, Heumann A, Li J, Huber S, Lohse AW, Pantel K, Riethdorf S, Wege H, Schulze K, von Felden J. EpCAM-positive circulating tumor cells and serum AFP levels predict outcome after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20827. [PMID: 38012205 PMCID: PMC10682153 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47580-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has high recurrence rates exceeding 50% despite curative resection. The serum biomarker alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a well-known prognostic marker for HCC. EpCAM-positive circulating tumor cells (CTC) have a high predictive value for early HCC recurrence after curatively intended resection, most likely indicating micro-metastases at the time of resection. However, sensitivity remains low. The objective of this study was to evaluate a composite test comprising both CTC and AFP to identify patients at high risk for early HCC recurrence. We prospectively enrolled 58 patients undergoing curative intended resection for HCC at a tertiary referral center. Blood specimens were obtained prior to resection and analyzed for EpCAM-positive CTC and serum AFP levels. A positive result was defined as either detection of CTC or AFP levels ≥ 400 ng/ml. Eight patients tested positive for CTC, seven for AFP, and two for both markers. A positive composite test was significantly associated with shorter early recurrence-free survival (5 vs. 16 months, p = 0.005), time to recurrence (5 vs. 16 months, p = 0.011), and overall survival (37 vs. not reached, p = 0.034). Combining CTC and AFP identified patients with poor outcome after surgical resection, for whom adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapies may be particularly desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz Kocheise
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Schoenlein
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Berit Behrends
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vincent Joerg
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Casar
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- Bioinformatics Core, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thorben W Fruendt
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Renné
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Asmus Heumann
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jun Li
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Samuel Huber
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ansgar W Lohse
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Riethdorf
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henning Wege
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- Cancer Center Esslingen, Klinikum Esslingen, Esslingen, Germany
| | - Kornelius Schulze
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johann von Felden
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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Berenguer M, de Martin E, Hessheimer AJ, Levitsky J, Maluf DG, Mas VR, Selzner N, Hernàndez-Èvole H, Lutu A, Wahid N, Zubair H. European Society for Organ Transplantation Consensus Statement on Biomarkers in Liver Transplantation. Transpl Int 2023; 36:11358. [PMID: 37711401 PMCID: PMC10498996 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Currently, one-year survival following liver transplantation (LT) exceeds 90% in large international registries, and LT is considered definitive treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease and liver cancer. Recurrence of disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), significantly hampers post-LT outcomes. An optimal approach to immunosuppression (IS), including safe weaning, may benefit patients by mitigating the effect on recurrent diseases, as well as reducing adverse events associated with over-/under-IS, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). Prediction of these outcome measures-disease recurrence, CKD, and immune status-has long been based on relatively inaccurate clinical models. To address the utility of new biomarkers in predicting these outcomes in the post-LT setting, the European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT) and International Liver Transplant Society (ILTS) convened a working group of experts to review literature pertaining to primary disease recurrence, development of CKD, and safe weaning of IS. Summaries of evidence were presented to the group of panelists and juries to develop guidelines, which were discussed and voted in-person at the Consensus Conference in Prague November 2022. The consensus findings and recommendations of the Liver Working Group on new biomarkers in LT, clinical applicability, and future needs are presented in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Berenguer
- Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Unit, Hospital Universitario la Fe - IIS La Fe Valencia, CiberEHD and University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eleonora de Martin
- AP-HP Hôpital Paul Brousse, Centre Hépato-Biliaire, Inserm UMR-S 1193, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Amelia J. Hessheimer
- General & Digestive Surgery, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | - Josh Levitsky
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Daniel G. Maluf
- Program in Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Valeria R. Mas
- Surgical Sciences Research in Transplantation, Chief Surgical Sciences Division, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nazia Selzner
- Ajmera Transplant Center, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Alina Lutu
- AP-HP Hôpital Paul Brousse, Centre Hépato-Biliaire, Inserm UMR-S 1193, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Nabeel Wahid
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Haseeb Zubair
- Surgical Sciences Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Yin Z, Chen D, Liang S, Li X. Neoadjuvant Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:929-946. [PMID: 36068876 PMCID: PMC9441170 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s357313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by low resection and high postoperative recurrence rates, and conventional treatment strategies have failed to meet clinical needs. Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is widely employed in the routine management of several solid tumors because it increases resectability and reduces the rate of postoperative recurrence. However, a consensus has not been reached regarding the effects of NAT on HCC. As systemic therapy, particularly targeted therapy and immunotherapy, is given for HCC treatment, accumulating evidence shows that the "spring" of NAT for HCC is imminent. In the future, HCC researchers should focus on identifying biomarkers for treatment response, explore the mechanisms of resistance, and standardize the endpoints of NAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongyi Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases & Carson International Cancer, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China
- Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dongying Chen
- Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuang Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaowu Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases & Carson International Cancer, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China
- Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China
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Gonvers S, Tabrizian P, Melloul E, Dormond O, Schwartz M, Demartines N, Labgaa I. Is liquid biopsy the future commutator of decision-making in liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma? Front Oncol 2022; 12:940473. [PMID: 36033451 PMCID: PMC9402935 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.940473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver transplant (LT) is the most favorable treatment option for patients with early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Numerous attempts have been pursued to establish eligibility criteria and select HCC patients for LT, leading to various systems that essentially integrate clinico-morphological variables. Lacking of sufficient granularity to recapitulate the biological complexity of the disease, all these alternatives display substantial limitations and are thus undeniably imperfect. Liquid biopsy, defined as the molecular analysis of circulating analytes released by a cancer into the bloodstream, was revealed as an incomparable tool in the management of cancers, including HCC. It appears as an ideal candidate to refine selection criteria of LT in HCC. The present comprehensive review analyzed the available literature on this topic. Data in the field, however, remain scarce with only 17 studies. Although rare, these studies provided important and encouraging findings highlighting notable prognostic values and supporting the contribution of liquid biopsy in this specific clinical scenario. These results underpinned the critical and urgent need to intensify and accelerate research on liquid biopsy, in order to determine whether and how liquid biopsy may be integrated in the decision-making of LT in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Gonvers
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Parissa Tabrizian
- Recanati Miller Transplant Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, United States
- Mount Sinai Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Emmanuel Melloul
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Dormond
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Myron Schwartz
- Recanati Miller Transplant Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, United States
- Mount Sinai Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nicolas Demartines
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ismail Labgaa
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Ismail Labgaa,
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7
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Shimamura T, Goto R, Watanabe M, Kawamura N, Takada Y. Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: How Should We Improve the Thresholds? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020419. [PMID: 35053580 PMCID: PMC8773688 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The ideal treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is liver transplantation (LT), which both eliminates the HCC and cures the diseased liver. Once considered an experimental treatment with dismal survival rates, LT for HCC entered a new era with the establishment of the Milan criteria over 20 years ago. However, over the last two decades, the Milan criteria, which are based on tumor morphology, have come under intense scrutiny and are now largely regarded as too restrictive, and limit the access of transplantation for many patients who would otherwise achieve good clinical outcomes. The liver transplant community has been making every effort to reach a goal of establishing more reliable selection criteria. This article addresses how the criteria have been extended, as well as the concept of pre-transplant down-staging to maximize the eligibility. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third highest cause of cancer-related mortality, and liver transplantation is the ideal treatment for this disease. The Milan criteria provided the opportunity for HCC patients to undergo LT with favorable outcomes and have been the international gold standard and benchmark. With the accumulation of data, however, the Milan criteria are not regarded as too restrictive. After the implementation of the Milan criteria, many extended criteria have been proposed, which increases the limitations regarding the morphological tumor burden, and incorporates the tumor’s biological behavior using surrogate markers. The paradigm for the patient selection for LT appears to be shifting from morphologic criteria to a combination of biologic, histologic, and morphologic criteria, and to the establishment of a model for predicting post-transplant recurrence and outcomes. This review article aims to characterize the various patient selection criteria for LT, with reference to several surrogate markers for the biological behavior of HCC (e.g., AFP, PIVKA-II, NLR, 18F-FDG PET/CT, liquid biopsy), and the response to locoregional therapy. Furthermore, the allocation rules in each country and the present evidence on the role of down-staging large tumors are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Shimamura
- Division of Organ Transplantation, Hokkaido University Hospital, N-14, W-5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8648, Hokkaido, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Ryoichi Goto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery I, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Hokkaido, Japan;
| | - Masaaki Watanabe
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Hokkaido, Japan; (M.W.); (N.K.)
| | - Norio Kawamura
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Hokkaido, Japan; (M.W.); (N.K.)
| | - Yasutsugu Takada
- Department of HBP and Breast Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon 791-0295, Ehime, Japan;
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Espejo-Cruz ML, González-Rubio S, Zamora-Olaya J, Amado-Torres V, Alejandre R, Sánchez-Frías M, Ciria R, De la Mata M, Rodríguez-Perálvarez M, Ferrín G. Circulating Tumor Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review and Critical Appraisal. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222313073. [PMID: 34884878 PMCID: PMC8657934 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common neoplasm and a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. There is no ideal biomarker allowing early diagnosis of HCC and tumor surveillance in patients receiving therapy. Liquid biopsy, and particularly circulating tumor cells (CTCs), have emerged as a useful tool for diagnosis and monitoring therapeutic responses in different tumors. In the present manuscript, we evaluate the current evidence supporting the quantitative and qualitative assessment of CTCs as potential biomarkers of HCC, as well as technical aspects related to isolation, identification, and classification of CTCs. Although the dynamic assessment of CTCs in patients with HCC may aid the decision-making process, there are still many uncertainties and technical caveats to be solved before this methodology has a true impact on clinical practice guidelines. More studies are needed to identify the optimal combination of surface markers, to increase the efficiency of ex-vivo expansion of CTCs, or even to target CTCs as a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent HCC recurrence after surgery or to hamper tumor progression and extrahepatic spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Lola Espejo-Cruz
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Sandra González-Rubio
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Javier Zamora-Olaya
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Víctor Amado-Torres
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rafael Alejandre
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Marina Sánchez-Frías
- Department of Pathology, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain;
| | - Rubén Ciria
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Manuel De la Mata
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Rodríguez-Perálvarez
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Gustavo Ferrín
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Hwang HS, Yoo JE, Han DH, Choi JS, Lee JG, Joo DJ, Kim MS, Kim SI, Choi GH, Park YN. Circulating Cancer Stem Cells Expressing EpCAM/CD90 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Pilot Study for Predicting Tumor Recurrence after Living Donor Liver Transplantation. Gut Liver 2021; 16:443-455. [PMID: 34737243 PMCID: PMC9099395 DOI: 10.5009/gnl210162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with cancer stemness have been demonstrated to be a direct cause of tumor recurrence, and only few studies have reported the role of CTCs in liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Epithelial cell adhesion molecule+ (EpCAM+), cluster of differentiation 90+ (CD90+) and EpCAM+/CD90+ CTCs were sorted via fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and transcripts level of EpCAM, K19 and CD90 in the peripheral blood were analyzed via real-time polymerase chain reaction preoperatively and on postoperative days 1 and 7 in 25 patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for HCC. EpCAM protein was assessed in HCC tissue using immunohistochemical staining. The median follow-up duration was 40 months. Results HCC after LDLT recurred in four out of 25 patients. Detection of EpCAM+ or CD90+ CTCs correlated well with their messenger RNA levels (p<0.05). EpCAM+ CTCs were readily detected in HCC tissue expressing EpCAM protein. The detection of EpCAM+ CTCs or EpCAM+/CD90+ CTCs before surgery and on postoperative day 1 was significantly associated with HCC recurrence after LT (all p<0.05). Pretransplant serum PIVKA-II >100 mAU/mL and postoperative day 1 EpCAM+/CD90+ CTCs were independent risk factors for HCC recurrence (hazard ratio, 14.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.08 to 198.20; p=0.043 and hazard ratio, 26.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.86 to 387.51; p=0.016, respectively). Conclusions EpCAM+/CD90+ CTCs can be used preoperatively and 1 day after LDLT as key biological markers in LT candidate selection and post-LDLT management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeo Seong Hwang
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Surgery, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jeong Eun Yoo
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dai Hoon Han
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Cancer Special Clinic, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Sub Choi
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Cancer Special Clinic, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Geun Lee
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Jin Joo
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Myoung Soo Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soon Il Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gi Hong Choi
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Cancer Special Clinic, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Nyun Park
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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10
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Amado V, González-Rubio S, Zamora J, Alejandre R, Espejo-Cruz ML, Linares C, Sánchez-Frías M, García-Jurado G, Montero JL, Ciria R, Rodríguez-Perálvarez M, Ferrín G, De la Mata M. Clearance of Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Surgical Resection or Liver Transplantation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102476. [PMID: 34069569 PMCID: PMC8160727 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a complete clearance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) early after liver transplantation (LT) or surgical resection (LR) could prevent tumor recurrence. METHODS prospective pilot study including patients with HCC who underwent LR or LT from September 2017 to May 2020. Enumeration of CTCs was performed in peripheral blood samples (7 mL) using the Isoflux® system (Fluxion Biosciences) immediately before surgery, at post-operative day 5 and at day 30. A clinically relevant number of CTCs was defined as >30 CTCs/sample. RESULTS 41 HCC patients were included (mean age 58.7 ± 6.3; 82.9% male). LR was performed in 10 patients (24.4%) and 31 patients (75.6%) underwent LT. The main etiology of liver disease was chronic hepatitis C (31.7%). Patients undergoing LR and LT were similar in terms of preoperative CTC count (p = 0.99), but clearance of CTCs within the first month was more pronounced in the LT group. Clusters of CTCs at baseline were associated with incomplete clearance of CTCs at day 30 (54.2% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.005), which in turn impacted negatively on survival (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION Incomplete clearance of CTCs after surgery could be a surrogate marker of HCC aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Amado
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (V.A.); (J.Z.); (R.A.); (J.L.M.); (M.D.l.M.)
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (S.G.-R.); (M.L.E.-C.); (C.L.); (G.G.-J.); (R.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Sandra González-Rubio
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (S.G.-R.); (M.L.E.-C.); (C.L.); (G.G.-J.); (R.C.); (G.F.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades hepáticas y digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Zamora
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (V.A.); (J.Z.); (R.A.); (J.L.M.); (M.D.l.M.)
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (S.G.-R.); (M.L.E.-C.); (C.L.); (G.G.-J.); (R.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Rafael Alejandre
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (V.A.); (J.Z.); (R.A.); (J.L.M.); (M.D.l.M.)
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (S.G.-R.); (M.L.E.-C.); (C.L.); (G.G.-J.); (R.C.); (G.F.)
| | - María Lola Espejo-Cruz
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (S.G.-R.); (M.L.E.-C.); (C.L.); (G.G.-J.); (R.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Clara Linares
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (S.G.-R.); (M.L.E.-C.); (C.L.); (G.G.-J.); (R.C.); (G.F.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades hepáticas y digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Gema García-Jurado
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (S.G.-R.); (M.L.E.-C.); (C.L.); (G.G.-J.); (R.C.); (G.F.)
| | - José Luis Montero
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (V.A.); (J.Z.); (R.A.); (J.L.M.); (M.D.l.M.)
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (S.G.-R.); (M.L.E.-C.); (C.L.); (G.G.-J.); (R.C.); (G.F.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades hepáticas y digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén Ciria
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (S.G.-R.); (M.L.E.-C.); (C.L.); (G.G.-J.); (R.C.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Manuel Rodríguez-Perálvarez
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (V.A.); (J.Z.); (R.A.); (J.L.M.); (M.D.l.M.)
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (S.G.-R.); (M.L.E.-C.); (C.L.); (G.G.-J.); (R.C.); (G.F.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades hepáticas y digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Gustavo Ferrín
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (S.G.-R.); (M.L.E.-C.); (C.L.); (G.G.-J.); (R.C.); (G.F.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades hepáticas y digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel De la Mata
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (V.A.); (J.Z.); (R.A.); (J.L.M.); (M.D.l.M.)
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (S.G.-R.); (M.L.E.-C.); (C.L.); (G.G.-J.); (R.C.); (G.F.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades hepáticas y digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Pelizzaro F, Cardin R, Penzo B, Pinto E, Vitale A, Cillo U, Russo FP, Farinati F. Liquid Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Where Are We Now? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2274. [PMID: 34068786 PMCID: PMC8126224 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer related death worldwide. Diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers are urgently needed in order to improve patient survival. Indeed, the most widely used biomarkers, such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), have limited accuracy as both diagnostic and prognostic tests. Liver biopsy provides an insight on the biology of the tumor, but it is an invasive procedure, not routinely used, and not representative of the whole neoplasia due to the demonstrated intra-tumoral heterogeneity. In recent years, liquid biopsy, defined as the molecular analysis of cancer by-products, released by the tumor in the bloodstream, emerged as an appealing source of new biomarkers. Several studies focused on evaluating extracellular vesicles, circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA and non-coding RNA as novel reliable biomarkers. In this review, we aimed to provide a comprehensive overview on the most relevant available evidence on novel circulating biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognostic stratification, and therapeutic monitoring. Liquid biopsy seems to be a very promising instrument and, in the near future, some of these new non-invasive tools will probably change the clinical management of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Pelizzaro
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Romilda Cardin
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Barbara Penzo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Elisa Pinto
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (U.C.)
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (U.C.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
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12
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Chen VL, Xu D, Wicha MS, Lok AS, Parikh ND. Utility of Liquid Biopsy Analysis in Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Determination of Prognosis, and Disease Monitoring: A Systematic Review. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 18:2879-2902.e9. [PMID: 32289533 PMCID: PMC7554087 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Liquid biopsies, or blood samples, can be analyzed to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and extracellular vesicles, which might identify patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or help determine their prognoses. We performed a systematic review of studies of analyses of liquid biopsies from patients with HCC and their comparisons with other biomarkers. METHODS We performed a systematic review of original studies published before December 1, 2019. We included studies that compared liquid biopsies alone and in combination with other biomarkers for the detection of HCC, performed multivariate analyses of the accuracy of liquid biopsy analysis in determining patient prognoses, or evaluated the utility of liquid biopsy analysis in monitoring treatment response. RESULTS Our final analysis included 112 studies: 67 on detection, 46 on determining prognosis, and 25 on treatment monitoring or selection. Ten studies evaluated assays that characterized cfDNA for detection of HCC in combination with measurement of α-fetoprotein (AFP)-these studies found that the combined measurement of cfDNA and AFP more accurately identified patients with HCC than measurement of AFP alone. Six studies evaluated assays for extracellular vesicles and 2 studies evaluated assays for CTC in detection of HCC, with and without other biomarkers-most of these studies found that detection of CTCs or extracellular vesicles with AFP more accurately identified patients with HCC than measurement of AFP alone. Detection of CTCs before surgery was associated with HCC recurrence after resection in 13 of 14 studies; cfDNA and extracellular vesicles have been studied less frequently as prognostic factors. Changes in CTC numbers before vs after treatment more accurately identify patients with HCC recurrence than pretreatment counts alone, and measurements of cfDNA can identify patients with disease recurrence or progression before changes can be detected by imaging. We found little evidence that analyses of liquid biopsies can aid in the selection of treatment for HCC. Quality assessment showed risk of bias in studies of HCC detection and determination of prognosis. CONCLUSIONS In a systematic review of 112 studies of the accuracy of liquid biopsy analysis, we found that assays for CTCs and cfDNA might aid in determining patient prognoses and monitoring HCC, and assays for cfDNA might aid in HCC detection, but there is a risk of bias in these studies. Studies must be standardized before we can assess the clinical utility of liquid biopsy analysis in the detection and management of patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent L Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
| | - Dabo Xu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Max S Wicha
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Anna S Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Neehar D Parikh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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13
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Chen M, Xu R, Wu L, Chen X. Relationship between circulating tumor cells undergoing EMT and short-term efficacy following interventional treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. J Interv Med 2020; 3:146-150. [PMID: 34805926 PMCID: PMC8562250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jimed.2020.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective A growing number of studies have indicated that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotypes and the number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are significant indicators of tumor characteristics and treatment efficacy, and thus have a broad range of potential applications in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors. The value of data on CTC phenotypes and CTC counts in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and assessment of efficacy after comprehensive interventional therapy remains unclear. Methods Data of 107 patients who exhibited space-occupying lesions in the liver on enhanced CT/MRI scans at the Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (a tertiary medical center) between August 2017 and October 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. All enrolled patients were treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with microwave ablation (MWA). An imFISH CTC assay was used to isolate and count CTCs with different EMT phenotypes in the patients’ peripheral blood, which facilitated an analysis of the value of CTC phenotype and CTC count data in the diagnosis or treatment of HCC. Results The CTC count and EMT phenotypes in HCC patients were not associated with patient characteristics such as age, sex, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-DNA status, alcohol consumption history, Aspartate Transaminase (AST) to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, Child-Pugh score, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), number and size of tumors, vascular invasion, or metastasis (P > 0.05). The CTC count and EMT phenotypes in HCC patients before treatment were not predictive of short-term efficacy (P > 0.05). Comprehensive interventional therapy reduced the total CTC count and mesenchymal CTC count (P = 0.034 and 0.022, respectively). Conclusion TACE in combination with ablation reduced the total CTC count and mesenchymal CTC count. The CTC count and EMT phenotypes may be associated with long-term efficacy.
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer, typically develops on the background of chronic liver disease and is an aggressive disease with dismal prognosis. Studies using next-generation sequencing of multiple regions of the same tumour nodule suggest different patterns of HCC evolution and confirm the high molecular heterogeneity in a subset of patients. Different hypotheses have been proposed to explain tumour evolution, including clonal selection or neutral and punctuated acquisition of genetic alterations. In parallel, data indicate a fundamental contribution of nonmalignant cells of the tumour microenvironment to cancer clonal evolution. Delineating these dynamics is crucial to improve the treatment of patients with HCC, and particularly to help understand how HCC evolution drives resistance to systemic therapies. A number of new minimally invasive techniques, such as liquid biopsies, could help track cancer evolution in HCC. These tools might improve our understanding of how systemic therapies affect tumour clonal composition and could facilitate implementation of real-time molecular monitoring of patients with HCC.
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15
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Zhang Y, Li J, Wang L, Meng P, Zhao J, Han P, Xia J, Xu J, Wang L, Shen F, Zheng A, Zhou F, Fan R. Clinical significance of detecting circulating tumor cells in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by EpCAM‑independent enrichment and immunostaining‑fluorescence in situ hybridization. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:1551-1560. [PMID: 31257510 PMCID: PMC6625432 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are tumor cells present in the bloodstream, which originate from tumor sites, and are ultimately responsible for metastasis or relapse in several types of cancer. However, to the best of our knowledge, only a few studies have investigated these extremely rare cells in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In the present study, 63 patients with ESCC and 50 healthy donors were recruited, and the potential clinical significance of CTCs was assessed using subtraction enrichment and immunostaining‑fluorescence in situ hybridization. Blood samples were collected at the following times: At first diagnosis, following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, 24 h and 13 days post‑surgery, and every 3 months during follow‑up. Cytokeratin (CK)‑positive and clustered CTCs only accounted for 1% of total CTCs detected, whereas most CTCs were CK‑negative aneuploid cells. Patients with ESCC (n=63) had higher CTC counts compared with healthy donors (control group; n=50) (area under curve=0.807, median CTC count, 2 vs. 0). However, there was no statistical association between CTC counts and sex, age, pathological stage, tumor location, tumor depth or lymph node involvement (P>0.05). The association of tumor development with CTC status and other circulating biomarkers was monitored in patients for a further 2 years. The results revealed that a change in CTC counts between first diagnosis and 13 days post‑surgery (ΔCTC) of ≥2/7.5 ml peripheral blood could be applied for predicting progression‑free survival (hazard ratio, 3.922; 95% confidence interval, 0.907‑16.951; P<0.05) in patients with ESCC. In conclusion, ΔCTC evaluation may be a promising indicator for predicting tumor prognosis and the clinical efficacy of treatment in patients with ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaowen Zhang
- The First Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Anyang Tumor Hospital, Anyang, Henan 455000, P.R. China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Medicine, Shanghai Zhangjiang Institute of Medical Innovation, Shanghai 201204, P.R. China
| | - Peng Meng
- Department of Medicine, Shanghai Zhangjiang Institute of Medical Innovation, Shanghai 201204, P.R. China
| | - Jiangman Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Shanghai Zhangjiang Institute of Medical Innovation, Shanghai 201204, P.R. China
| | - Peng Han
- Department of Pathology, Anyang Tumor Hospital, Anyang, Henan 455000, P.R. China
| | - Jin Xia
- The Fifth Department of Oncology, Anyang Tumor Hospital, Anyang, Henan 455000, P.R. China
| | - Jiangong Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Anyang Tumor Hospital, Anyang, Henan 455000, P.R. China
| | - Lidong Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory for Cancer Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Fangfang Shen
- The Key Laboratory for Tumor Translational Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Anping Zheng
- The First Department of Radiation Oncology, Anyang Tumor Hospital, Anyang, Henan 455000, P.R. China
| | - Fuyou Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Anyang Tumor Hospital, Anyang, Henan 455000, P.R. China
| | - Ruitai Fan
- The First Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
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16
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Amado V, Rodríguez-Perálvarez M, Ferrín G, De la Mata M. Selecting patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for liver transplantation: incorporating tumor biology criteria. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2018; 6:1-10. [PMID: 30613572 PMCID: PMC6306074 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s174549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) is the optimal therapeutic option for patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Due to universal donor shortage, only the patients with limited tumor burden (under the so-called Milan criteria) are considered as potential candidates for LT in most institutions. It is expected that in the near future, more liver grafts will be available for patients with HCC due to the implementation of new direct antivirals against hepatitis C, leaving a prone scenario to consider expanding Milan criteria. A moderate expansion of Milan criteria could be implemented without increasing the risk of tumor recurrence if patients with favorable biological behavior are carefully selected. Incorporating information regarding tumor biology in the decision-making algorithm would result in a more rational use of LT in patients with HCC. In the present review, surrogate markers of tumor biology are critically evaluated as potential tools to be combined with existing radiological criteria. In addition, the current state of liquid biopsy is discussed, as this cutting-edge technology may reshape the management of HCC in the upcoming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Amado
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, IMIBIC, CIBERehd, Córdoba, Spain,
| | - Manuel Rodríguez-Perálvarez
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, IMIBIC, CIBERehd, Córdoba, Spain,
| | - Gustavo Ferrín
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, IMIBIC, CIBERehd, Córdoba, Spain,
| | - Manuel De la Mata
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, IMIBIC, CIBERehd, Córdoba, Spain,
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