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Cillo U, Carraro A, Avolio AW, Cescon M, Di Benedetto F, Giannelli V, Magistri P, Nicolini D, Vivarelli M, Lanari J. Immunosuppression in liver transplant oncology: position paper of the Italian Board of Experts in Liver Transplantation (I-BELT). Updates Surg 2024; 76:725-741. [PMID: 38713396 DOI: 10.1007/s13304-024-01845-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Cillo
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, General Surgery 2 Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Padua University Hospital, Via Giustiniani 2, 34128, Padua, PD, Italy.
| | - Amedeo Carraro
- Liver Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery and Oncology, University Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alfonso W Avolio
- Department of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Cescon
- General Surgery and Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria-Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Di Benedetto
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Valerio Giannelli
- Liver Unit, Department of Liver Transplant, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Magistri
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniele Nicolini
- Hepatobiliary and Abdominal Transplantation Surgery, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Riuniti Hospital, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Vivarelli
- Hepatobiliary and Abdominal Transplantation Surgery, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Riuniti Hospital, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Jacopo Lanari
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, General Surgery 2 Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Padua University Hospital, Via Giustiniani 2, 34128, Padua, PD, Italy
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de Jong DM, den Hoed CM, Willemssen FEJA, Thomeer MGJ, Bruno MJ, Koerkamp BG, de Jonge J, Alwayn IPJ, van Hooft JE, Hoogwater F, van der Heide F, Inderson A, van Vilsteren FGI, van Driel LMJW. Impact of EUS in liver transplantation workup for patients with unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Gastrointest Endosc 2024; 99:548-556. [PMID: 37890597 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2023.10.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS For a highly selected group of patients with unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA), liver transplantation (LT) is a treatment option. The Dutch screening protocol comprises nonregional lymph node (LN) assessment by EUS, and whenever LN metastases are identified, further LT screening is precluded. The aim of this study is to investigate the yield of EUS in patients with pCCA who are potentially eligible for LT. METHODS In this retrospective, nationwide cohort study, all consecutive patients with suspected unresectable pCCA who underwent EUS in the screening protocol for LT were included from 2011 to 2021. During EUS, sampling of a "suspicious" nonregional LN was performed based on the endoscopist's discretion. The primary outcome was the added value of EUS, defined as the number of patients who were precluded from further screening because of malignant LNs. RESULTS A total of 75 patients were included in whom 84 EUS procedures were performed, with EUS-guided tissue acquisition confirming malignancy in LNs in 3 of 75 (4%) patients. In the 43 who underwent surgical staging according to the protocol, nonregional LNs with malignancy were identified in 6 (14%) patients. Positive regional LNs were found in 7 patients in post-LT-resected specimens. CONCLUSIONS Our current EUS screening for the detection of malignant LNs in patients with pCCA eligible for LT shows a limited but clinically important yield. EUS with systematic screening of all LN stations, both regional and nonregional, and the sampling of suspicious lymph nodes according to defined and set criteria could potentially increase this yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M de Jong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline M den Hoed
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francois E J A Willemssen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten G J Thomeer
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco J Bruno
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bas Groot Koerkamp
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen de Jonge
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ian P J Alwayn
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanin E van Hooft
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frederik Hoogwater
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frans van der Heide
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Akin Inderson
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frederike G I van Vilsteren
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lydi M J W van Driel
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Andraus W, Tustumi F, Santana AC, Pinheiro RSN, Waisberg DR, Lopes LD, Arantes RM, Santos VR, de Martino RB, D'Albuquerque LAC. Liver transplantation as an alternative for the treatment of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: A critical review. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2024; 23:139-145. [PMID: 38310060 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (phCCC) is a dismal malignancy. There is no consensus regarding the best treatment for patients with unresectable phCCC. The present review aimed to gather the current pieces of evidence for liver transplantation and liver resection as a treatment for phCCC and to build better guidance for clinical practice. DATA SOURCES The search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and LILACS. The related references were searched manually. Inclusion criteria were: reports in English or Portuguese literature that a) patients with confirmed diagnosis of phCCC; b) patients treated with a curative intent; c) patients with the outcomes of liver resection and liver transplantation. Case reports, reviews, letters, editorials, conference abstracts and papers with full-text unavailability were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS Most of the current literature is based on observational retrospective studies with low grades of evidence. Liver resection has better long-term outcomes than systemic chemotherapy or palliation therapy and liver transplantation is a good alternative for selected patients with unresectable phCCC. All candidates for resection or transplantation should be medically fit and free of intrahepatic or extrahepatic diseases. As a general rule, patients presenting with a tumor having a longitudinal size > 3 cm or extending below the cystic duct, lymph node disease, confirmed extrahepatic dissemination; intraoperatively diagnosed metastatic disease; a history of other malignancies within the last five years, and did not complete chemoradiation regimen and were medically unfit should not be considered for transplantation. Some of these criteria should be individually assessed. Liver transplantation or resection should only be considered in highly experienced hepatobiliary centers, and any decision-making must be based on a multidisciplinary evaluation. CONCLUSIONS phCCC is a complex condition with high morbidity. Surgical therapies, including hepatectomy and liver transplantation, are the best option for better long-term disease-free survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wellington Andraus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Francisco Tustumi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Chagas Santana
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Reis Waisberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Liliana Ducatti Lopes
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rubens Macedo Arantes
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Rocha Santos
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Quaresima S, Melandro F, Giovanardi F, Shah K, De Peppo V, Mennini G, Ghinolfi D, Limkemann A, Pawlik TM, Lai Q. New Insights in the Setting of Transplant Oncology. Medicina (B Aires) 2023; 59:medicina59030568. [PMID: 36984569 PMCID: PMC10058845 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59030568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Liver transplantation (LT) is the best strategy for curing several primary and secondary hepatic malignancies. In recent years, growing interest has been observed in the enlargement of the transplant oncology indications. This paper aims to review the most recent developments in the setting of LT oncology, with particular attention to LT for unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCA). Materials and Methods: A review of the recently published literature was conducted. Results: Growing evidence exists on the efficacy of LT in curing CRLM and peri-hilar and intrahepatic CCA in well-selected patients when integrating this strategy with (neo)-adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or locoregional treatments. Conclusion: For unresectable CCA and CRLM management, several prospective protocols are forthcoming to elucidate LT’s impact relative to alternative therapies. Advances in diagnosis, treatment protocols, and donor-to-recipient matching are needed to better define the oncological indications for transplantation. Prospective, multicenter trials studying these advances and their impact on outcomes are still required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Quaresima
- General Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, AOU Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Melandro
- General Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, AOU Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Giovanardi
- General Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, AOU Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Kejal Shah
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Valerio De Peppo
- General Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, AOU Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Mennini
- General Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, AOU Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Ghinolfi
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ashley Limkemann
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Timothy M. Pawlik
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, James Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Quirino Lai
- General Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, AOU Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3493020126; Fax: +39-06499701
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Patrono D, Colli F, Colangelo M, De Stefano N, Apostu AL, Mazza E, Catalano S, Rizza G, Mirabella S, Romagnoli R. How Can Machine Perfusion Change the Paradigm of Liver Transplantation for Patients with Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma? J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12052026. [PMID: 36902813 PMCID: PMC10004136 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12052026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Perihilar cholangiocarcinomas (pCCA) are rare yet aggressive tumors originating from the bile ducts. While surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, only a minority of patients are amenable to curative resection, and the prognosis of unresectable patients is dismal. The introduction of liver transplantation (LT) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for unresectable pCCA in 1993 represented a major breakthrough, and it has been associated with 5-year survival rates consistently >50%. Despite these encouraging results, pCCA has remained a niche indication for LT, which is most likely due to the need for stringent candidate selection and the challenges in preoperative and surgical management. Machine perfusion (MP) has recently been reintroduced as an alternative to static cold storage to improve liver preservation from extended criteria donors. Aside from being associated with superior graft preservation, MP technology allows for the safe extension of preservation time and the testing of liver viability prior to implantation, which are characteristics that may be especially useful in the setting of LT for pCCA. This review summarizes current surgical strategies for pCCA treatment, with a focus on unmet needs that have contributed to the limited spread of LT for pCCA and how MP could be used in this setting, with a particular emphasis on the possibility of expanding the donor pool and improving transplant logistics.
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Eguchi S, Hidaka M, Hara T, Matsushima H, Soyama A. Liver transplantation for intrahepatic and hilar cholangiocellular carcinoma: Most recent updates in the literature. Ann Gastroenterol Surg 2022; 6:616-622. [PMID: 36091305 PMCID: PMC9444854 DOI: 10.1002/ags3.12567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) for non‐hepatocellular carcinoma is still a debatable indication. Recently, hilar cholangiocellular carcinoma (hCCC) has attracted interest as a new indication for LT, but LT in this case should be carefully considered. Based on the recent meta‐analysis for intrahepatic CCC (IHCCC) and our results from incidental IHCCC transplanted for other diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, the indication for LT for IHCCC should be limited to a single tumor less than 2 cm. For hCCC, with pre‐transplant chemoradiotherapy and careful selection criteria, long‐term survival after LT could be attained. In order to improve the results of LT for intrahepatic and hCCC, further studies are required on the ingenuity of immunosuppressive therapy combined with chemotherapy, and optimal treatment methods to prevent recurrence, as well as initial case selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Eguchi
- Department of Surgery Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Nagasaki Japan
| | - Masaaki Hidaka
- Department of Surgery Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Nagasaki Japan
| | - Takanobu Hara
- Department of Surgery Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Nagasaki Japan
| | - Hajime Matsushima
- Department of Surgery Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Nagasaki Japan
| | - Akihiko Soyama
- Department of Surgery Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Nagasaki Japan
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Current Surgical Management of Peri-Hilar and Intra-Hepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153657. [PMID: 34359560 PMCID: PMC8345178 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma accounts for approximately 10% of all hepatobiliary tumors and represents 3% of all new-diagnosed malignancies worldwide. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (i-CCA) accounts for 10% of all cases, perihilar (h-CCA) cholangiocarcinoma represents two-thirds of the cases, while distal cholangiocarcinoma accounts for the remaining quarter. Originally described by Klatskin in 1965, h-CCA represents one of the most challenging tumors for hepatobiliary surgeons, mainly because of the anatomical vascular relationships of the biliary confluence at the hepatic hilum. Surgery is the only curative option, with the goal of a radical, margin-negative (R0) tumor resection. Continuous efforts have been made by hepatobiliary surgeons in order to achieve R0 resections, leading to the progressive development of aggressive approaches that include extended hepatectomies, associating liver partition, and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy, pre-operative portal vein embolization, and vascular resections. i-CCA is an aggressive biliary cancer that arises from the biliary epithelium proximal to the second-degree bile ducts. The incidence of i-CCA is dramatically increasing worldwide, and surgical resection is the only potentially curative therapy. An aggressive surgical approach, including extended liver resection and vascular reconstruction, and a greater application of systemic therapy and locoregional treatments could lead to an increase in the resection rate and the overall survival in selected i-CCA patients. Improvements achieved over the last two decades and the encouraging results recently reported have led to liver transplantation now being considered an appropriate indication for CCA patients.
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Boilève A, Hilmi M, Delaye M, Tijeras-Raballand A, Neuzillet C. Biomarkers in Hepatobiliary Cancers: What is Useful in Clinical Practice? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2708. [PMID: 34070929 PMCID: PMC8198554 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and biliary tract cancers (BTC) exhibit a poor prognosis with 5-year overall survival rates around 15%, all stages combined. Most of these primary liver malignancies are metastatic at diagnostic, with only limited therapeutic options, relying mainly on systemic therapies. Treatment modalities are different yet partially overlapping between HCC and BTC. The complex molecular profile of BTC yields to several actionable therapeutic targets, contrary to HCC that remains the field of antiangiogenic drugs in non-molecularly selected patients. Immunotherapy is now validated in the first line in HCC in combination with bevacizumab, while clinical activity of single agent immunotherapy appears limited to a subset of patients in BTC, still poorly characterized, and combinations are currently under investigation. In this review, we provide a critical evaluation and grading of clinical relevance on (i) the main prognostic biomarkers in HCC and BTC, (ii) the main theragnostic biomarkers in both tumors, and lastly (iii) what is recommended in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Boilève
- Gustave Roussy, Département de Médecine Oncologique, 94805 Villejuif, France;
- GERCOR Group, 151 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 Paris, France; (M.H.); (M.D.); (A.T.-R.)
| | - Marc Hilmi
- GERCOR Group, 151 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 Paris, France; (M.H.); (M.D.); (A.T.-R.)
- Département de Médecine Oncologique, Curie Institute, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France
| | - Matthieu Delaye
- GERCOR Group, 151 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 Paris, France; (M.H.); (M.D.); (A.T.-R.)
- Département de Médecine Oncologique, Curie Institute, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France
| | - Annemilaï Tijeras-Raballand
- GERCOR Group, 151 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 Paris, France; (M.H.); (M.D.); (A.T.-R.)
- OncoMEGA, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Cindy Neuzillet
- GERCOR Group, 151 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 Paris, France; (M.H.); (M.D.); (A.T.-R.)
- Département de Médecine Oncologique, Curie Institute, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France
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Fahrner R, Dennler SGC, Inderbitzin D. Risk of malignancy in Caroli disease and syndrome: A systematic review. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:4718-4728. [PMID: 32884228 PMCID: PMC7445861 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i31.4718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital intrahepatic bile duct dilatation without fibrosis is called Caroli disease (CD), and is called Caroli syndrome (CS) when it has fibrotic and cirrhotic liver morphology. The development of intrahepatic carcinoma is described in both conditions, but the reported incidence varies extensively. Potential risk factors for the malignant transformation were not described. Furthermore, conservative or surgical treatment is performed depending on the extent of cystic malformation, hepatic dysfunction and structural hepatic changes, but little is known about which treatment should be offered to patients with CD or CS and cancer.
AIM To further investigate the malignant transformation in these conditions.
METHODS A systematic review of the current literature until January 2019 was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. A search using Medline (PubMed) was performed using a combination of Medical Subject Headings terms “caroli disease”, “caroli syndrome”, “tumor”, “malignant”, and “cholangiocarcinoma”. Only human studies published in English were used for this systematic review. The following parameters were extracted from each article: year of publication, type of study, number of patients, incidence of malignant tumor, duration of symptoms, age, sex, diagnostics, identification of tumor, surgical therapy, survival and tumor recurrence.
RESULTS Twelve retrospective studies reporting the courses of 561 patients (53% females) were included in this systematic review. With a mean age of 41.6 years old (range 23 to 56 years old), patients were younger than other populations undergoing liver surgery. Depending on the size of the study population the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma varied from 2.7% to 37.5% with an overall incidence of 6.6%. There were only few detailed reports about preoperative diagnostic work-up, but a multimodal work-up including ultrasound of the liver, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was used in most studies. Disease duration was variable with up to several years. Most patients had episodes of cholangitis, sepsis, fever or abdominal pain. Tumor detection was an incidental finding of the surgical specimen in most cases because it is currently often impossible to detect tumor manifestation during preoperative diagnostics. Liver resection or liver transplantation was performed depending on the extent of the biliary pathology and additional alterations of the liver structure or function. No postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was reported, but chemotherapy was administered in selected cases of tumor recurrence. Overall survival rates after one year were low at 36% and a high recurrence rate of up to 75% during the observation period.
CONCLUSION Only few retrospective studies reported a low tumor incidence. Despite the high rate of mortality and tumor recurrence, definite surgical treatment should be offered as soon as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Fahrner
- Department of Surgery, Bürgerspital Solothurn, Solothurn 4500, Switzerland
| | - Sandra GC Dennler
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Daniel Inderbitzin
- Department of Surgery, Bürgerspital Solothurn, Solothurn 4500, Switzerland
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Ntanasis-Stathopoulos I, Tsilimigras DI, Gavriatopoulou M, Schizas D, Pawlik TM. Cholangiocarcinoma: investigations into pathway-targeted therapies. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2020; 20:765-773. [PMID: 32757962 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2020.1807333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant disease of the biliary tract and accounts for 3% of all gastrointestinal tumors. Surgical intervention is currently the only potentially curative strategy for cholangiocarcinoma. For patients with unresectable, advanced or metastatic disease, the combination of gemcitabine with cisplatin is considered the standard treatment. However, currently available therapeutic options have only a marginal benefit, especially among patients with relapsed/refractory tumors. AREAS COVERED We reviewed targeted agents under clinical evaluation for patients with cholangiocarcinoma. FGFR and IDH inhibitors are at the most advanced stage of clinical investigation. EGFR inhibitors have demonstrated contradictory results, whereas inhibition of other molecular pathways, including the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, the MET, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and angiogenetic pathways, has shown minimal or null benefit. EXPERT OPINION Several targeted approaches are being investigated for advanced cholangiocarcinoma. However, randomized clinical trials are needed to define the optimal treatment regimen and address issues including the option of monotherapy or combination regimens, the optimal sequence of different treatments, ways to overcome resistance to targeted treatments, as well as determining the right time and tissue for assessing molecular signatures. Targeted therapies and immunotherapy hold promise for improving patient outcomes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Ntanasis-Stathopoulos
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Cente , Columbus, OH, UAS
| | - Diamantis I Tsilimigras
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Cente , Columbus, OH, UAS
| | - Maria Gavriatopoulou
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Alexandra General Hospital , Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Schizas
- Department of Surgery, Laikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , Athens, Greece
| | - Timothy M Pawlik
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Alexandra General Hospital , Athens, Greece
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11
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Liver transplantation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: A systematic review. Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2019; 34:100516. [PMID: 31711828 DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2019.100516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma (hCCA) have advanced disease at presentation and therefore curative treatment options are limited. Liver transplantation (LT), in the case of unresectable disease, is theoretically an attractive option, as it offers the maximum resection margin and at the same time removes the underlying parenchymal liver disease. In the past years a number of studies have aimed to evaluate to potential beneficial role of neo adjuvant therapy followed by LT for treating patients with unresectable hCCA. The objective of our systematic review was to collect and evaluate long-term outcomes of patients with hCCA undergoing LT. A systematic search of 4 electronic databases (Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrails.gov databases) was performed for articles published between January 2000 and May 2019. A total of 13 studies with 698 patients were finally included in the present systematic review. A proportion of 74.4% of patients received combination of chemotherapy and radiation as a part of neoadjuvant therapy. One-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates ranged greatly among the included studies from 58% to 92%, 31% to 80% and 20% to 74%, respectively. Recurrence rates ranged from 16% to 61%, whilst perioperative mortality ranged from 0% to 25.5%. LT could provide acceptable long-term outcomes in the setting of neoadjuvant chemoradiation and strict patient selection criteria. Taking into account organ shortage, combined with the lack of level I evidence, more prospective randomized trials are needed in order to establish certain indications, rigorous criteria and standardized protocols for LT in hCCA and provide the maximal potential benefits for these patients.
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