Efficacy and Safety of a Steroid-Free Immunosuppressive Regimen after Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Immunosuppression in liver transplant oncology: position paper of the Italian Board of Experts in Liver Transplantation (I-BELT)

Liver transplant oncology (TO) represents an area of increasing clinical and scientific interest including a heterogeneous group of clinical-pathological settings. Immunosuppressive management after LT is a key factor relevantly impacting result. However, disease-related guidance is still lacking, and many open questions remain in the field. Based on such a substantial lack of solid evidences, the Italian Board of Experts in Liver Transplantation (I-BELT) (a working group including representatives of all national transplant centers), unprecedently promoted a methodologically sound consensus conference on the topic, based on the GRADE approach. The group final recommendations are herein presented and commented. The 18 PICOs and Statements and their levels of evidence and grades of recommendation are reported and grouped into seven areas: (1) risk stratification by histopathological and bio-molecular parameters and role of mTORi post-LT; (2) steroids and HCC recurrence; (3) management of immunosuppression when HCC recurs after LT; (4) mTORi monotherapy; (5) machine perfusion and HCC recurrence after LT; (6) physiopathology of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and immunosuppression, the role of inflammation; (7) immunotherapy in liver transplanted patients. The interest in mammalian targets of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi), for steroid avoidance and the need for a reduction to CNI exposure emerged from the consensus process. A selected list of unmet needs prompting further investigations have also been developed. The so far heterogeneous and granular approach to immunosuppression in oncologic patients deserves greater efforts for a more standardized therapeutic response to the different clinical scenarios. This consensus process makes a first unprecedented step in this direction, to be developed on a larger scale.

Liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Its current status and advances

Liver transplantation is one of the best treatment options for selected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The Milan criteria (a single tumor with a maximum size of 5 cm or two or three tumors with a maximum size of 3 cm without evidence of vascular or extrahepatic involvement or metastasis) are one of the most common criteria to select patients with HCC for transplantation, though they are considered too restrictive. A moderate expansion of the criteria has been found to yield comparable recurrence-free survival rates. HCC will recur in approximately 10% of patients, and mostly within the first 2 years after transplantation. The preoperative level of alpha-fetoprotein, macrovascular invasion, tumor size, and tumor number are prognostic factors for recurrence. Recurrence of HCC after transplantation results in a poor prognosis.

Recipient gender and body mass index are associated with early acute rejection in donation after cardiac death liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Early acute rejection (EAR) is a common complication after liver transplantation (LT).

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of EAR in donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver transplantation recipients.

METHOD

We retrospectively analysed the data of 461 DCD liver transplants performed during the period from January 2010 to June 2016 to study the relationship between EAR and various clinical factors. EAR was defined as histologically proven acute cellular rejection occurring less than 90 days after transplantation.

RESULT

The median follow-up time for this study was 33.1 months (range: 0.03-92.8 months). Thirty-two (6.9%) patients developed EAR with a median period of 20.5 days (5-88 days) after transplantation. A multivariate analysis revealed that female recipient (hazard ratio: 2.801; P=0.024) and high recipient body mass index (BMI) (hazard ratio: 1.005; P=0.049) were two independent risk factors for early acute rejection.

CONCLUSIONS

In DCD liver transplantation, recipient female gender and high BMI were associated with a higher incidence of EAR, while the use of CD25-Ab and/or MMF had a protective effect.

Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma following liver transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an increasingly common disease with liver transplant (LT) the best long-term therapy for early stage disease. We will review the data for assessing risk and managing recurrence for patients undergoing LT for HCC.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we will provide an overview of methods of patient risk stratification in the post-transplant period, the data around surveillance for HCC recurrence, and the evidence for and against post-LT adjuvant treatment strategies. Finally, we will provide data regarding treatment options for patients with HCC recurrence after LT. Using an extensive search of original papers and society guidelines, this paper provides a comprehensive review of the data for assessing risk and managing recurrence for patients undergoing LT for HCC.

EXPERT OPINION

The development of multiple post-transplant prognostic scoring systems have allowed for improved assessment of recurrence risk and stratification of patients. However, the ability to translate this information into surveillance and therapeutic strategies that improve patient outcomes still have to be fully demonstrated. Post-LT immunosuppression strategies have been implemented in order to attempt to reduce this risk. Evidence-based strategies for managing recurrent HCC are evolving. We expect that with further understanding of individual patient characteristics will allow for optimal therapeutic selection.

Safety and Efficacy of Budesonide for Liver Transplant Immune Suppression: Results of a Pilot Phase 2a Trial

Despite adverse effects like hyperglycemia, new-onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT), and infectious complications, corticosteroid use remains an important part of liver transplantation (LT) immune suppression. Budesonide, a synthetic corticosteroid, undergoes extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism with only 10% systemic bioavailability, providing an opportunity for an improved toxicity-therapeutic ratio. Although effective in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis, the effects of budesonide for LT immune suppression are unknown. We conducted a single-center phase 2a trial to study the safety and efficacy of budesonide immunosuppressive therapy. From July 2017 to November 2018, 20 patients undergoing a first LT received budesonide tapering doses (from 9 to 3 mg) for 12 weeks. Patients were compared with matched control patients who received prednisone from the same time period. Additionally, both groups received calcineurin inhibitors and mycophenolate mofetil. Outcome measures at week 24 included rates of biopsy-proven acute cellular rejection (ACR), NODAT (hemoglobin A1c >6.4%), and infectious complications. In the budesonide arm, 1 patient developed ACR at week 5 and was removed from the study. Another patient stopped the study drug at week 8 due to persistent nausea. Rates of ACR were similar between the budesonide and control groups (5% versus 5%, P = 1.00). Three patients in the control group developed NODAT versus none in the budesonide group (15% versus 0%; P = 0.23). There were 6 infections in the control group compared with none in the budesonide group (30% versus 0; P = 0.02). These pilot data suggest that budesonide has the potential to be a safe and effective alternative to prednisone for LT immune suppression while reducing steroid-induced infections and NODAT. Randomized controlled trials are required to validate these findings.

Efficacy and Safety of Steroid Therapy for Posttransplant Hyperbilirubinemia Caused by Early Allograft Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND Hyperbilirubinemia is a common event that occurs after liver transplantation. Hyperbilirubinemia is usually caused by early allograft dysfunction. Glucocorticoid is widely used for immunosuppression, but few studies have analyzed the effects of steroid therapy on posttransplantation hyperbilirubinemia. The aim of this study was to assess whether glucocorticoid was beneficial in treating hyperbilirubinemia caused by early allograft dysfunction. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients with postoperative hyperbilirubinemia (those with conditions such as biliary complications and rejections were excluded) were randomly assigned, in a 2: 1 ratio, to the steroid and control groups. Patients in the steroid group were treated with glucocorticoid combined with ursodeoxycholic acid, whereas patients in the control group were only treated with ursodeoxycholic acid. The primary endpoint was decrease in bilirubin and the secondary endpoint was safety. RESULTS From 1st June 2016 to 30th April 2018, 40 patients were enrolled into the steroid group, and 20 were enrolled into the control group. Donor, recipient, and operative data were similar between the 2 groups. The decrease in bilirubin levels in the steroid group was significantly greater than that in the control group on the first day after the intervention was finished (9.25±1.30 mg/dL vs. 3.11±1.45 mg/dL, p=0.005), and after 2 weeks (15.01±1.20 mg/dL vs. 8.88±1.98 mg/dL, p=0.007). The steroid group did not have a higher complication rate but it did have a shorter postoperative hospital stay than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Low-dose steroid therapy was effective and safe for treating hyperbilirubinemia caused by early graft dysfunction, and it improved liver function.

Liver transplantation for Hepatitis-B-associated liver disease - Three decades of experience

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B (HBV)-associated end-stage liver disease used to be a relevant indication for liver transplantation (LT). After transplantation, HBV-reinfection remains a serious issue. Different strategies to prevent HBV-reinfection range from the single application of immunoglobulins (HBIG), to the use of modern nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NUC) in combination with HBIG, followed by HBIG-discontinuation. The aim of this analysis was to compare different strategies and to sum up the results of 30 years at a high-volume transplant center and deliver additional information on the histopathological level.

METHODS

Data of 372 liver transplantations performed for the HBV-induced liver disease in 352 patients were extracted from a prospectively organized database. HBV-reinfection was determined in the entire cohort, according to the mode of HBV-prophylaxis. Differences in survival rates were analyzed in patients with successful prophylaxis, untreated and controlled HBV-reinfection. Histopathological results were obtained from protocol biopsies in 151 patients.

RESULTS

HBV-reinfection was significantly associated with the type of prophylaxis, presence of HBs-Antigen at the moment of LT, transplant year and influencing the overall survival before 2005. After the introduction of modern NUCs, HBV-reinfection stopped to impact HBV-associated transplant loss and survival. Controlled HBV-infection prevents from HBV-associated transplant hepatitis and fibrosis development. The role of HBIG declines in favor of NUCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Uncontrolled HBV-reinfection does not occur any more. Even in the presence of Hbs-antigen, transplant fibrosis does not develop. The most reliable mode to prevent HBV-recurrence remains the combination of NUCs with a high genetic barrier and HBIG. However, HBIG can safely be discontinued after LT.

Cytokines are early diagnostic biomarkers of graft-versus-host disease in liver recipients

BACKGROUND

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is associated with high mortality. Early diagnosis is essential to start treatment and to improve outcomes. Because of the inflammatory nature, we hypothesis that cytokine profile of patients with GVHD may serve as diagnostic markers. The present study was to evaluate the role of cytokine profile in the diagnosis of GVHD.

METHODS

An immunoassay was used to detect 29 cytokines simultaneously in the serum; the measuring sensitivity of all cytokines was pg/mL. Healthy subjects undergoing annual routine physical examinations served as negative controls; 23 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had undergone liver transplantation (the LT group) comprised the test subjects. A total of 22 kidney recipients with biopsy-confirmed GVHD (the RT group) were included for comparison. HCC patients with radical surgery (the HCC group, n=22) served as positive control. The liver contents of the three cytokines, IL-2, IL-18, and IFN-gamma, were detected with immunohistochemistry. Serum granzyme B and perforin were measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Of the 29 cytokines, the levels of IL-2 and IL-18 were increased significantly in liver recipients with GVHD compared with healthy controls (P<0.05). The serum levels of these three cytokines in the healthy, HCC, LT, and RT groups were IL-2: 0.90+/-0.02, 4.14+/-0.61, 5.10+/-0.89, and 1.48+/-0.09 pg/mL; IL-18: 80.61+/-9.35, 109.51+/-10.93, 230.11+/-12.92, and 61.98+/-7.88 pg/mL; IFN-gamma: 24.06+/-3.88, 24.84+/-3.21, 40.37+/-5.88, and 15.33+/-4.72 pg/mL, respectively. Immunohistochemistry showed that these 3 cytokines expressions in the liver were parallel to the serum cytokine. After standard anti-GVHD treatment, the expressions of IL-2, IL-18, and IFN-gamma were decreased in the liver (P<0.05). Serum granzyme B and perforin were significantly increased in GVHD patients (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

IL-2, IL-18 and IFN-gamma were from liver and might serve as biomarkers for monitoring GVHD development and the effects of anti-GVHD treatment. Granzyme B and perforin may play a role in increasing IL-2, IL-18, and IFN-gamma levels in GVHD patients.

The Hyperlipidemia Caused by Overuse of Glucocorticoid after Liver Transplantation and the Immune Adjustment Strategy

The overuse of glucocorticoid may cause the metabolic disorders affecting the long term outcome of liver transplantation. This study aims to investigate the immune adjustment strategy by decreasing use of glucocorticoid after liver transplantation. The follow-up study was carried out on liver function and lipid metabolism. This study included adult recipients of liver transplantation. There were 3 groups according to their use of glucocorticoid: long term (>3 months, n = 18), short term (<3 months, n = 20), and control group (no use of glucocorticoid, radical hepatic resection, n = 22). The laboratory results of liver function (AST/ALT ratio) and serum lipid were compared 6 months after liver transplantation. AST/ALT ratio, the marker of liver function, showed no significant difference between long and short term group (P > 0.05). The acute rejection had no significant difference between short and long term groups, while TG, HDL, LDL, and glucose showed significant change in the long term group (P < 0.05). At 6 months after liver transplantation, the long term group showed higher metabolic disorders (P < 0.05). The proper immune adjustment strategy should be made to avoid overuse of glucocorticoid. It can decrease hyperlipidemia and other metabolic disorders after liver transplantation without increasing the acute rejection or liver function damage.

A national report from China Liver Transplant Registry: steroid avoidance after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of steroid-free immunosuppression after liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed HCC recipients without steroids after LT (SF group, n=368) based on the China Liver Transplant Registry (CLTR) database. These recipients were matched 1:2 with patients using steroids (S group, n=736) for the same period after LT for HCC, according to propensity scores.

Results

Multivariate analysis indicates that recipients with younger age [odds ratio (OR), 1.053; P=0.011], preoperative hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA ≥1,000 copies/mL (OR, 2.597; P=0.004) and beyond Milan criteria (OR, 4.255; P<0.001) were identified as the risk factors associated with tumor recurrence in steroid avoidance recipients after LT. The patients fulfilling the Milan criteria in the SF group presented higher overall and tumor-free survival rates than those in the S group (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that recipient beyond Milan criteria was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OR, 1.690; P<0.001) and tumor-free survival (OR, 2.066; P<0.001). The incidences of new-onset diabetes mellitus (21.20%vs. 33.29%, P<0.001), new-onset hypertension (10.05%vs. 18.61%, P<0.001) and hyperlipidemia (4.08%vs. 7.20%, P=0.042) were significantly lower in the SF group.

Conclusions

Steroid-free immunosuppression could be safe and feasible for HBV-related HCC patients in LT. Age, HBV DNA level and Milan criteria maybe risk factors associated with tumor recurrence in steroid avoidance recipients. Recipient beyond Milan criteria was an independent prognostic factor and recipient fulfilling Milan criteria can benefit the most from steroid-free immunosuppression.