Untargeted NMR-based metabolomics analysis of kidney allograft perfusates identifies a signature of delayed graft function

INTRODUCTION

Kidney transplantation (KTx) necessarily conveys an ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) process, which impacts on allograft outcomes. Delayed graft function (DGF) is defined as a non-decrease of serum creatinine by at least 10% daily on 3 consecutive days during the first 7 days post-KTx. DGF significantly conditions both short- and long-term graft outcomes. Still there is a lack of DGF predictive biomarkers.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the potential of kidney graft perfusate metabolomics to predict DGF occurrence.

METHODS

49 human perfusates from grafts categorized upon donor type [donation after brain death (DBD)/donation after circulatory death (DCD)] and DGF occurrence and 19 perfusates from a murine model classified upon death type (DBD/DCD) were collected and analyzed by NMR-based metabolomics.

RESULTS

The multivariate analysis of the murine data highlighted significant differences between perfusate metabolomes of DBD versus DCD. These differences were similarly observed in the human perfusates. After correcting for the type of donor, multivariate analysis of human data demonstrated a metabolomics signature that could be correlated with DGF occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The metabolome of kidney grafts is influenced by the donor's type in both human and pre-clinical studies and could be correlated with DGF in the human DBD cohort. Thus, metabolomic analysis of perfusate applied prior to KTx may represent a new predictive tool for clinicians in a more personalized management of DGF. Moreover, our data paves the way to better understand the impact of donor's types on the biochemical events occurring between death and the hypothermic storage.

Repair of parastomal hernia after Bricker procedure: retrospective consecutive experience of a tertiary center

BACKGROUND

Ileal conduit parastomal hernias (ICPHs) are frequent after radical cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion, but their management is debated. This study aimed to review the results of ICPH repair according to Sugarbaker or Sandwich techniques, with special interest in ICPH recurrence and urological complications.

METHODS

The authors reviewed a consecutive series of patients undergoing ICPH repair between January 2014 and December 2020. Primary endpoints were ICPH recurrences at clinical exam and cross-sectional abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans. Secondary endpoints were any other complications possibly related to the ICPH repair.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients underwent ICPH repair surgery (16 Sugarbaker and 7 Sandwich techniques) during the study period. Sixteen patients underwent a primary laparoscopic approach. All but one patient underwent at least one abdominal CT during the follow-up. Median clinical and CT scan follow-up times were 57 and 50.5 months, respectively. Clinical and CT ICPH recurrence rates were 4.5% and 13% at 5 years, respectively. Eighteen patients (78%) suffered no urological complications during the follow-up period, but three patients (13%) needed redo surgery on the urinary ileal conduit.

CONCLUSION

The modified Sugarbaker or Sandwich techniques might be considered as promising techniques for ICPH repair with a low rate of recurrence. The urological complications, and particularly the ileal conduit-related issues, need to be evaluated in further studies. Controlled and prospective data are required to compare the Sugarbaker and Sandwich techniques to the Keyhole approach for ICPH repairs.

Resectability of bilobar liver tumours after simultaneous portal and hepatic vein embolization versus portal vein embolization alone: meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Many patients with bi-lobar liver tumours are not eligible for liver resection due to an insufficient future liver remnant (FLR). To reduce the risk of posthepatectomy liver failure and the primary cause of death, regenerative procedures intent to increase the FLR before surgery. The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the available literature and outcomes on the effectiveness of simultaneous portal and hepatic vein embolization (PVE/HVE) versus portal vein embolization (PVE) alone.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase up to September 2022. The primary outcome was resectability and the secondary outcome was the FLR volume increase.

RESULTS

Eight studies comparing PVE/HVE with PVE and six retrospective PVE/HVE case series were included. Pooled resectability within the comparative studies was 75 per cent in the PVE group (n = 252) versus 87 per cent in the PVE/HVE group (n = 166, OR 1.92 (95% c.i., 1.13-3.25)) favouring PVE/HVE (P = 0.015). After PVE, FLR hypertrophy between 12 per cent and 48 per cent (after a median of 21-30 days) was observed, whereas growth between 36 per cent and 67 per cent was reported after PVE/HVE (after a median of 17-31 days). In the comparative studies, 90-day primary cause of death was similar between groups (2.5 per cent after PVE versus 2.2 per cent after PVE/HVE), but a higher 90-day primary cause of death was reported in single-arm PVE/HVE cohort studies (6.9 per cent, 12 of 175 patients).

CONCLUSION

Based on moderate/weak evidence, PVE/HVE seems to increase resectability of bi-lobar liver tumours with a comparable safety profile. Additionally, PVE/HVE resulted in faster and more pronounced hypertrophy compared with PVE alone.

OC-057 PREVENTION OF INCISIONAL HERNIAS BY PROPHYLACTIC MESH-AUGMENTED REINFORCEMENT OF MIDLINE LAPAROTOMIES FOR ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM TREATMENT. 5-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Introduction

The incidence of incisional hernias (IHs) after open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is high. Several randomized controlled trials have reported favorable results with the use of prophylactic mesh to prevent IHs, without increasing complications. In this analysis we report on the results of the 60-month follow-up of the PRIMAAT trial (Ann Surg 2016; 263(4): 638–45).

Methods

In a prospective, multicenter, open label, randomized design, patients were randomized between prophylactic retrorectus mesh reinforcement (MESH group), and primary closure of their midline laparotomy after open AAA repair (NOMESH group). This article reports on the results of clinical follow-up after 60 months. If performed, ultrasonography or computed tomography were used for the diagnosis of IHs.

Results

Of the 120 randomized patients, 114 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Thirty-three patients in the NOMESH group (33/58–56.9%) and 34 patients in the MESH group (34/56–60.7%) were evaluated after 5 years. The cumulative incidence of IHs in the NOMESH group was 32.9% after 24 months and 49.2% after 60 months. No incisional hernias were diagnosed in the MESH group. In the NOMESH group, 21.7% (5/23) underwent reoperation within 5 years due to an IH.

Conclusion

Prophylactic retrorectus mesh reinforcement after midline laparotomy for the treatment of AAAs safely and effectively decreases the rate of IHs. The cumulative incidence of IHs after open AAA repair, when no mesh is used, continues to increase during the first 5 years after surgery, which leads to a substantial rate of hernia repairs.

Dragon 1 Protocol Manuscript: Training, Accreditation, Implementation and Safety Evaluation of Portal and Hepatic Vein Embolization (PVE/HVE) to Accelerate Future Liver Remnant (FLR) Hypertrophy

STUDY PURPOSE

The DRAGON 1 trial aims to assess training, implementation, safety and feasibility of combined portal- and hepatic-vein embolization (PVE/HVE) to accelerate future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy in patients with borderline resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases.

METHODS

The DRAGON 1 trial is a worldwide multicenter prospective single arm trial. The primary endpoint is a composite of the safety of PVE/HVE, 90-day mortality, and one year accrual monitoring of each participating center. Secondary endpoints include: feasibility of resection, the used PVE and HVE techniques, FLR-hypertrophy, liver function (subset of centers), overall survival, and disease-free survival. All complications after the PVE/HVE procedure are documented. Liver volumes will be measured at week 1 and if applicable at week 3 and 6 after PVE/HVE and follow-up visits will be held at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the resection.

RESULTS

Not applicable.

CONCLUSION

DRAGON 1 is a prospective trial to assess the safety and feasibility of PVE/HVE. Participating study centers will be trained, and procedures standardized using Work Instructions (WI) to prepare for the DRAGON 2 randomized controlled trial. Outcomes should reveal the accrual potential of centers, safety profile of combined PVE/HVE and the effect of FLR-hypertrophy induction by PVE/HVE in patients with CRLM and a small FLR.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04272931 (February 17, 2020). Toestingonline.nl: NL71535.068.19 (September 20, 2019).

[Diagnosis and management of renal allograft rejection]

Renal allograft rejection involves many mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity, responsible for parenchymal inflammatory lesions that negatively impact the long-term outcomes of the renal allograft. The heterogeneous presentations of rejections in terms of clinical, biological and histological aspects make them difficult to manage in daily clinical practice. Indeed, current therapeutic strategies are disappointing in term of long-term outcomes, including graft survival. In this article, we will discuss the main effector mechanisms of rejection and their histological classification, as well as the existing treatments and those currently under evaluation.

[Cellular immunotherapy at the University Hospital of Liege : advances, challenges and prospects]

Cellular immunotherapy consists in using the cells of the immune system as a therapeutic weapon. In this constantly evolving field, the therapeutic strategies developed at the University Hospital of Liege are hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, mesenchymal stromal cells and targeted therapy with CAR-T cells (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells). The first two modalities represent a form of non-targeted cell therapy that has been developed over the past decades. While hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is established as the reference treatment for many hematological diseases, mesenchymal stromal cells are still under investigation in various pathologies (notably Crohn's disease, organ transplantation, COVID-19 and pulmonary fibrosis). By contrast, CAR-T cells represent a recently developed and extremely promising targeted immunotherapy. This therapeutic approach has already revolutionized the treatment of B-cell lymphopathies, and has the potential to do the same for many other diseases in the near future.

[Organ transplantation during SARS-CoV-2 epidemic : the 2020-2021 Liege transplant Center experience]

The «Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2» (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has disrupted medical care and intra-hospital organization during 2020, both in Belgium and throughout the world. Solid organ transplantation was not spared and in Belgium, the number of organ donors and transplants overall decreased by 20 % for livers and by 33 % for hearts between 2019 and 2020. The aim of this article is to summarize the experience acquired in 2020 and 2021 on the organizational and medical implications of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with regard to the care of patients transplanted or awaiting for organ transplants, and to draw conclusions both for the aftermath of COVID-19 but also for future pandemics. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is highly recommended and particularly important in organ transplant recipients, even if the response rate is lower than in the non-transplanted population. A third injection is now advised in immunosuppressed patients.

[Diagnosis and management of liver cysts]

Cystic hepatic lesions are frequent and sometimes large. They are generally asymptomatic and discovered by chance. The differential diagnosis of these lesions includes congenital, post-traumatic, benign or malignant tumors, as well as infectious pathologies. Conventional or contrast ultrasonography, abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can be used to characterize them. Therapeutic abstention with or without iconographic monitoring constitutes the optimal management of many benign liver cysts without clinical repercussions. Treatments for symptomatic or potentially aggressive lesions may include fenestration, puncture with sclerotherapy, or surgical resection. In this article, the authors discuss how to diagnose and treat the various hepatic cystic lesions.

Liver resection and ablation for squamous cell carcinoma liver metastases

Background

Limited evidence exists to guide the management of patients with liver metastases from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The aim of this retrospective multicentre cohort study was to describe patterns of disease recurrence after liver resection/ablation for SCC liver metastases and factors associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

Method

Members of the European–African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association were invited to include all consecutive patients undergoing liver resection/ablation for SCC liver metastases between 2002 and 2019. Patient, tumour and perioperative characteristics were analysed with regard to RFS and OS.

Results

Among the 102 patients included from 24 European centres, 56 patients had anal cancer, and 46 patients had SCC from other origin. RFS in patients with anal cancer and non-anal cancer was 16 and 9 months, respectively (P = 0.134). A positive resection margin significantly influenced RFS for both anal cancer and non-anal cancer liver metastases (hazard ratio 6.82, 95 per cent c.i. 2.40 to 19.35, for the entire cohort). Median survival duration and 5-year OS rate among patients with anal cancer and non-anal cancer were 50 months and 45 per cent and 21 months and 25 per cent, respectively. For the entire cohort, only non-radical resection was associated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio 3.21, 95 per cent c.i. 1.24 to 8.30).

Conclusion

Liver resection/ablation of liver metastases from SCC can result in long-term survival. Survival was superior in treated patients with liver metastases from anal versus non-anal cancer. A negative resection margin is paramount for acceptable outcome.

[Liver transplantation for hepatopulmonary syndrome complicating cirrhosis]

Hepato-pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a pulmonary vascular complication of cirrhosis quite frequent but often under-diagnosed, and characterized by intra-pulmonary capillary and pre-capillary vascular dilatations that may lead to severe hypoxemia. HPS is often asymptomatic but may induce a progressive dyspnea. HPS diagnosis is based on arterial gasometry that proves the hypoxemia and contrast-enhanced echo-cardiography revealing the vascular dilatations. Screening of HPS is recommended in every cirrhotic patient complaining of dyspnea or in every liver transplantation candidate. Indeed, the only effective treatment of HPS is liver transplantation; HPS patients receive exception-points in the MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) liver allocation score. The authors report herein the case of a 39-year-old male patient with a cirrhosis of unknown origin complicated by HPS which appeared as a disabling dyspnea. This patient underwent liver transplantation a year after HPS diagnosis and recovered completely.

[Liver hydatidosis causing obstructive cholangitis : a case report]

The authors report the case of a 41-year-old patient originating from Algeria who developed obstructive cholangitis caused by the membrane of a ruptured hydatid cyst leading to the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis. Cystic echinococcosis can be asymptomatic for several years until a complication occurs, such as in this case an obstruction of the common bile duct, or cholangio-hydatidosis. This cause of jaundice is uncommon in Western Europe whereas it is more frequent in endemic areas. Identification and treatment of ruptured cysts are mandatory because of the mortality rate of these complications if left untreated. In this particular case, the treatment by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was successful.

[Multidisciplinary management of the primary liver cancers]

In Belgium and around the world, the incidence of primary malignant liver tumours is increasing, both for hepatocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Their curative treatment is based on multidisciplinary and specialized care, of which surgery (including liver transplantation) remains the cornerstone, often associated with other logoregional treatments, as radioembolisation, radiofrequency ablation, and chemoembolisation. For advanced cases, the prognosis remains poor, in particular due to a certain chemoresistance of these tumours. New treatments include targeted therapies (including various tyrosine kinase inhibitors) and immunotherapy. A specialized multidisciplinary discussion is therefore necessary to define the best therapeutic management, individualized to each patient. In this article, the authors review the most recent data relating to the treatment of hepatocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.

Protective Role of Tacrolimus, Deleterious Role of Age and Comorbidities in Liver Transplant Recipients With Covid-19: Results From the ELITA/ELTR Multi-center European Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Despite concerns that liver transplant (LT) recipients may be at increased risk of unfavorable outcomes from COVID-19 due the high prevalence of co-morbidities, immunosuppression and ageing, a detailed analysis of their effects in large studies is lacking.

METHODS

Data from adult LT recipients with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection were collected across Europe. All consecutive patients with symptoms were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

Between March 1 and June 27, 2020, data from 243 adult symptomatic cases from 36 centers and 9 countries were collected. Thirty-nine (16%) were managed as outpatients while 204 (84%) required hospitalization including admission to the ICU (39 of 204, 19.1%). Forty-nine (20.2%) patients died after a median of 13.5 (10-23) days, respiratory failure was the major cause. After multivariable Cox regression analysis, age >70 (HR, 4.16; 95% CI, 1.78-9.73) had a negative effect and tacrolimus (TAC) use (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-0.99) had a positive independent effect on survival. The role of co-morbidities was strongly influenced by the dominant effect of age where comorbidities increased with the increasing age of the recipients. In a second model excluding age, both diabetes (HR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.06-3.58) and chronic kidney disease (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.05-3.67) emerged as associated with death CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-five percent of patients requiring hospitalization for COVID-19 died, the risk being higher in patients older than 70 and with medical co-morbidities, such as impaired renal function and diabetes. Conversely, the use of TAC was associated with a better survival thus encouraging clinicians to keep TAC at the usual dose.

Preoperative portal vein or portal and hepatic vein embolization: DRAGON collaborative group analysis

BACKGROUND

The extent of liver resection for tumours is limited by the expected functional reserve of the future liver remnant (FRL), so hypertrophy may be induced by portal vein embolization (PVE), taking 6 weeks or longer for growth. This study assessed the hypothesis that simultaneous embolization of portal and hepatic veins (PVE/HVE) accelerates hypertrophy and improves resectability.

METHODS

All centres of the international DRAGON trials study collaborative were asked to provide data on patients who had PVE/HVE or PVE on 2016-2019 (more than 5 PVE/HVE procedures was a requirement). Liver volumetry was performed using OsiriX MD software. Multivariable analysis was performed for the endpoints of resectability rate, FLR hypertrophy and major complications using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) statistics, regression, and Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 39 patients had undergone PVE/HVE and 160 had PVE alone. The PVE/HVE group had better hypertrophy than the PVE group (59 versus 48 per cent respectively; P = 0.020) and resectability (90 versus 68 per cent; P = 0.007). Major complications (26 versus 34 per cent; P = 0.550) and 90-day mortality (3 versus 16 per cent respectively, P = 0.065) were comparable. Multivariable analysis confirmed that these effects were independent of confounders.

CONCLUSION

PVE/HVE achieved better FLR hypertrophy and resectability than PVE in this collaborative experience.

[Deceased organ donation in 2020]

The success of solid organ transplantation induced an increased need for grafts and the necessary registration of transplant candidates on long waiting lists. Many patients die while waiting for transplantation, even in Belgium where the donation rates have been high these last years. In order to fight this lack of donor organs, the transplant centers widened donation criteria for brain dead donors, including older age and potential transmissible diseases. In addition, programs of donation after circulation death have been developed, first for kidneys, then for livers and recently for the hearts. Organ donation after euthanasia is also regularly performed in Belgium. All these policies lead to the fact that organ donation rates stay high in Belgium, and particularly in the Liege region, but efforts are still ahead if we aim to reduce waiting list mortalities.

[Update in abdominal surgery]

During the last decade minimal invasive approach progressed in all sectors of abdominal surgery. Technological improvements allowed to perform more complex procedures laparoscopically with increased safety. The implementation of pre-, per- and postoperative protocols with an adaptation of surgical, anesthetic and analgesia methods and the patient's involvement in the healing process led to enhanced recovery after surgery. The centralization of complex esophageal and pancreatic surgery established the CHU of Liège as a tertiary referral institution for complex oncological surgery thanks to a large cooperation with regional hospitals.

Liver transplantation during the COVID-19 epidemic : recommendations from the Belgian Liver Intestine Transplant Committee (BeLIAC)

Since January 2020, the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically impacted the world. In March 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic reached Belgium creating uncertainty towards all aspects of life. There has been an impressive capacity and solidarity of all healthcare professionals to acutely reconvert facilities to treat these patients. In the context of liver transplantation (LTx), concerns are raised about organ donation shortage and safety, the ethics of using limited healthcare resources for LTx, selection criteria for LTx during the epidemic and the risk of de novo COVID-19 infection on the waiting list and after LTx. BeLIAC makes several recommendations to try to mitigate the deleterious effect that this epidemic has/will have on donation and LTx, taking into account the available resources, and trying to maximize patients and healthcare professionals' safety.

[Alcoholic hepatitis]

Alcoholic hepatitis is a syndrome defined primarily by the clinical onset of jaundice in patients with a concomitant heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages. This pathology is managed by alcohol withdrawal with a 30-day survival rate of 90 %. For patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, with a Maddrey score greater than 32 (taking into account bilirubin and prothrombin time), treatment with corticosteroids is discussed provided that a possible infection can be sufficiently excluded or adequately managed. The administration of corticosteroids is continued for 28 days if the Lille score, calculated after 7 days of treatment, is favourable (inferior to 0.45), leading to a survival rate of 80-90 %. However, if the Lille score is unfavourable (superior to 0.45), the prognosis is bad, with a survival of only 25-30 % at 6 months. Special attention needs to be paid to assure a sufficient caloric intake during the treatment period for a successful management. Liver transplantation, previously prohibited for this indication, can be discussed under certain circumstances. However, the success of treatment is contingent upon the alcohol withdrawal. Innovative drugs are currently under investigation to improve the prognosis of this condition.

[Considerations on liver transplantation in the alcoholic patients]

In Belgium as in many other countries, alcohol is one of the leading causes of adult liver transplantation. Liver transplantation for terminal liver failure due to excessive alcohol intake raises clear ethical issues concerning the use of grafts to save patients suffering from a self-inflecting affection. Alcoholic liver disease is one of the best indications for liver transplantation, with excellent results in terms of length of survival and post transplantation quality of life, if this transplantation is proposed by a multidisciplinary team in a patient able to and helped by a supporting family and social environment.

Selection criteria for liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Eastern and western experiences, and perspectives for the future

Ever since the initial description of the Milan criteria, used for selecting patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for liver transplantation (LT), there has been a clear need to go further than solely morphological criteria. Tumours exceeding the Milan criteria, but presenting favourable biological behaviour, might still allow for comparable overall- and disease-free survivals after LT. As it is well established that the presence of microvascular invasion is a major factor that influences HCC recurrence after LT, several serum and tissue biomarkers in addition to imaging studies are attracting wider attention as more refined tools for selecting HCC patients for LT. A thorough review of the recent literature on the subject was conducted. In the future a combination of systemic inflammation markers, biomarkers and morphological criteria may be key to more accurate prediction of HCC recurrence after LT. This may allow LT in patients whose HCC tumours exceed the Milan criteria but have favourable biological behaviour. Further prospective studies are required in order to improve patient selection for transplantation in HCC and these could help a move towards more transparent and improved management.

[Acute mesenteric ischemia]

Acute mesenteric ischemia is a real life-threatening emergency. Mode of presentation is severe abdominal pain with sudden onset. The etiology is most of the time embolus coming from the heart or thrombosis of atherosclerotic vessel wall concerning the superior mesenteric artery. The best investigation is computed tomography with intravenous contrast media injection. Treatment consists of revascularization by open surgery or endovascular approach. Bowel resection may be necessary, as well as delayed second look surgery. This paper aims to review etiologies and therapeutics options for acute mesenteric ischemia.

WITHDRAWN: A single center experience in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma : the limitations of the surgery-first approach. Critical review of the literature and proposals for practice update

The article has been withdrawn at the request of the authors and editor because of incorrect authorship, which is considered a form of unethical publication. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

[Multidisciplinary management of alveolar echinococcosis : Echino-Liege Working Group]

Alveolar echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease due to the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. The definitive host is the red fox. Until recently, Belgium was considered a country at very low risk for alveolar echinococcosis. However, recent studies carried out in southern Belgium have revealed, through post-mortem examination, high prevalences (up to 62 %) in foxes. Cats and dogs can act as definitive hosts. Human are accidentally infected by ingestion of food contaminated by the feces. After a long incubation period, invasive hepatic lesions may appear, as well as extra-hepatic lesions. The disease may be fatal. The diagnosis is based on imaging techniques, serology and nucleic acid detection in tissues. Early diagnosis may allow surgical removal of the lesion associated with at least 2 years of albendazole postoperative treatment. In case of contraindication to surgery, a long term treatment with albendazole is necessary. Liver transplantation is sometimes necessary. This article presents the epidemiologic, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutics features of this zoonotic disease.

A single center experience in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma : the limitations of the surgery-first approach. Critical review of the literature and proposals for practice update

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The current standard of care for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is surgery-first followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. We review our single center experience in a PDAC cohort managed by the surgery-first strategy. We then compare our data to those of Belgian and international literature.

PATIENTS METHODS

We reviewed a series of 83 consecutive resectable patients with PDAC, treated by the surgery-first approach in a Belgian Academic Hospital between 2007 and 2013. The outcomes were assessed with univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Kaplan-Meier curves were drawn according to patient groups.

RESULTS

For the entire population, the median survival (MS) was 18.4 months; the 1-year relapse-free survival was 56%, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) was 13%. The size of the primary tumor larger than 3 cm (OS, HR = 1.76, p = 0.033) and vascular resection (DFS, HR = 2.1, p = 0.024) were the single independent prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis of this cohort. Only 69% of the patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, and more than 75% of them demonstrated no chance of survival beyond 3 years because they harbored poor prognostic factors, recognized only postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results and those published in the literature brought to light the limited perspectives of the surgery-first strategy in a population of apparently resectable pancreatic cancers. In comparison, data from reported neo-adjuvant series deserve our interest to bring this strategy upfront in selected patients in the context of close observational monitoring and randomized trials. The actual standard of care for resectable PDAC is surgery-first followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. The performance of this strategy relies on the dedicated imaging that does not accurately recognize the limits of the tumor and the high prevalence of adverse prognostic factors. Moreover, pancreatectomy remains associated with high postoperative complication rates and the poor completion of adjuvant therapy. This translates into poor long-term survival figures. In our series the MS was 18.4 months and 5-year OS was 13%. The disease-free survival (DFS) was 15.6 months, 1 and 3-year DFS were 56 and 26%, respectively. The variables that significantly correlated with OS in univariate analysis are tumor size and lymph node involvement. Regarding DFS, vascular resection was the only significant factor. In the multivariate analysis, the only significant factor related to OS remained the tumor size >3 cm in greatest diameter. Vascular resection remained significant for DFS. 31% of the patients did not receive any chemotherapy at all before the 6-month period following resection. The rates of complete resections compared favorably with those of a surgery-first strategy with no excess of operative mortality, complications and early relapse rates. The advantages of a chemotherapy-first approach, eventually combined with chemo-radiotherapy, are to offer higher combined therapy completion rates and improve the level of free resection margins, lymph node involvement and patient selection. The advent of safe, more potent chemotherapy combinations has the potential to further improve survival when administered upfront.

Transplantation of Hepatocytes for Prevention of Intracranial Hypertension in Pigs with Ischemic Liver Failure

Intracranial hypertension leading to brain stem herniation is a major cause of death in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Mannitol, barbiturates, and hyperventilation have been used to treat brain swelling, but most patients are either refractory to medical management or cannot be treated because of concurrent medical problems or side effects. In this study, we examined whether allogeneic hepatocellular transplantation may prevent development of intracranial hypertension in pigs with experimentally induced liver failure. Of the two preparations tested—total hepatectomy (n = 47), and liver devascularization (n = 16)—only pigs with liver ischemia developed brain edema provided, however, that animals were maintained normothermic throughout the postoperative period. This model was then used in transplantation studies, in which six pigs received intrasplenic injection of allogeneic hepatocytes (2.5 × 109 cells/pig) and 3 days later acute liver failure was induced. In both models (anhepatic state, liver devascularization), pigs allowed to become hypothermic had significantly longer survival compared to those maintained normothermic. Normothermic pigs with liver ischemia had, at all time points studied, ICP greater than 20 mmHg. Pigs that received hepatocellular transplants had ICP below 15 mmHg until death; at the same time, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) in transplanted pigs was consistently higher than in controls (45 ± 11 mmHg vs. 16 ± 18 mmHg; p < 0.05). Spleens of transplanted pigs contained clusters of viable hepatocytes (hematoxylin-eosin, CAM 5.2). It was concluded that removal of the liver does not result in intracranial hypertension; hypothermia prolongs survival time in both anhepatic pigs and pigs with liver devascularization, and intrasplenic transplantation of allogeneic hepatocytes prevents development of intracranial hypertension in pigs with acute ischemic liver failure.

End of life care in the operating room for non-heart-beating donors: organization at the University Hospital of Liège

Non-heart-beating (NHB) organ donation has become an alternative source to increase organ supply for transplantation. A NHB donation program was implemented in our institution in 2002. As in many institutions the end of life care of the NHB donor (NHBD) is terminated in the operating room (OR) to reduce warm ischemia time. Herein we have described the organization of end of life care for these patients in our institution, including the problems addressed, the solution proposed, and the remaining issues. Emphasis is given to our protocol elaborated with the different contributors of the chain of the NHB donation program. This protocol specifies the information mandatory in the medical records, the end of life care procedure, the determination of death, and the issue of organ preservation measures before NHBD death. The persisting malaise associated with NHB donation reported by OR nurses is finally documented using an anonymous questionnaire.

Donor age as a risk factor in donation after circulatory death liver transplantation in a controlled withdrawal protocol programme

BACKGROUND

Results of donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver transplantation are impaired by graft loss, resulting mainly from non-anastomotic biliary stricture. Donor age is a risk factor in deceased donor liver transplantation, and particularly in DCD liver transplantation. At the authors' institute, age is not an absolute exclusion criterion for discarding DCD liver grafts, DCD donors receive comfort therapy before withdrawal, and cold ischaemia is minimized.

METHODS

All consecutive DCD liver transplantations performed from 2003 to 2012 were studied retrospectively. Three age groups were compared in terms of donor and recipient demographics, procurement and transplantation conditions, peak laboratory values during the first post-transplant 72 h, and results at 1 and 3 years.

RESULTS

A total of 70 DCD liver transplants were performed, including 32 liver grafts from donors aged 55 years or less, 20 aged 56-69 years, and 18 aged 70 years or more. The overall graft survival rate at 1 month, 1 and 3 years was 99, 91 and 72 per cent respectively, with no graft lost secondary to non-anastomotic stricture. No difference other than age was noted between the three groups for donor or recipient characteristics, or procurement conditions. No primary non-function occurred, but one patient needed retransplantation for artery thrombosis. Biliary complications were similar in the three groups. Graft and patient survival rates were no different at 1 and 3 years between the three groups (P = 0.605).

CONCLUSION

Results for DCD liver transplantation from younger and older donors were similar. Donor age above 50 years should not be a contraindication to DCD liver transplantation if other donor risk factors (such as warm and cold ischaemia time) are minimized.

[Mesenchymal stromal cells and organ transplantation]

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are multipotent and self-renewing cells. MSC are studied for their in vivo and in vitro immunomodulatory effects, in the prevention or the treatment of isehemic injury, and for their potential properties of tissue or organ reconstruction. Over the last few years, the potential role of MSC in organ transplantation has been studied both in vitro and in vivo, and their properties make them an ideal potential cell therapy after solid organ transplantation. A prospective, controlled, phase 1-2 study has been initiated at the CHU of Liege, Belgium. This study assesses the potential risks and benefits of MSC infusion after liver or kidney transplantation. Even if the preliminary results of this study look promising, solely a prospective, randomized, large scale, phase 3 study will allow the clinical confirmation of the theoretical benefits of MSC in solid organ transplantation.

Categories of donation after cardiocirculatory death

The interest in donation after cardiocirculatory death (DCD) was renewed in the early 1990s, as a means to partially overcome the shortage of donations after brain death. In some European countries and in the United States, DCD has become an increasingly frequent procedure over the last decade. To improve the results of DCD transplantation, it is important to compare practices, experiences, and results of various teams involved in this field. It is therefore crucial to accurately define the different types of DCD. However, in the literature, various DCD terminologies and classifications have been used, rendering it difficult to compare reported experiences. The authors have presented herein an overview of the various DCD descriptions in the literature, and have proposed an adapted DCD classification to better define the DCD processes, seeking to provide a better tool to compare the results of published reports and to improve current practices. This modified classification may be modified in the future according to ongoing experiences in this field.

Contribution of donors after cardiac death to the deceased donor pool: 2002 to 2009 University of Liege experience

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we have evaluated the organ procurement and transplantation activity from donors after cardiac death (DCD) at our institution over an 8-year period. Our aim was to determine whether this program influenced transplantation programs, or donation after brain death (DBD) activity.

METHODS

We prospectively collected our procurement and transplantation statistics in a database for retrospective review.

RESULTS

We observed an increasing trend in potential and actual DCD number. The mean conversion rate turning potential into effective donors was 58.1%. DCD accounted for 16.6% of the deceased donor (DD) pool over 8 years. The mean age for effective DCD donors was 53.9 years (range, 3-79). Among the effective donors, 63.3% (n = 31) came from the transplant center and 36.7% (n = 18) were referred from collaborative hospitals. All donors were Maastricht III category. The number of kidney and liver transplants using DCD sources tended to increase. DCD kidney transplants represented 10.8% of the DD kidney pool and DCD liver transplants made up 13.9% of the DD liver pool over 8 years. The DBD program activity increased in the same time period. In 2009, 17 DCD and 33 DBD procurements were performed in a region with a little >1 million inhabitants.

CONCLUSION

The establishment of a DCD program in our institution enlarged the donor pool and did not compromise the development of the DBD program. In our experience, DCD are a valuable source for abdominal organ transplantation.

[Clinical case of the month. Cystic lymphangioma of the mesentery]

Cystic lymphangioma of the mesentery is a benign condition, probably of malformative origin, and frequently appearing in infancy. Its symptomatology can be very polymorphic. Its diagnosis is suspected by ultrasonography and computed tomography, and definitely confirmed by pathology. About a recent case of cystic lymphangioma of the mesentery diagnosed and operated on at the university hospital of Liège in an adult patient, the authors review its classification and its therapeutic strategy. Surgical resection is indicated in symptomatic cystic lymphangioma.

Fulminant hepatic failure induced by venlafaxine and trazodone therapy: a case report

Although acute hepatitis may be a side effect of many medications, most cases are reversible after treatment interruption, and fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is rare. Venlafaxine and trazodone are 2 popular antidepressant agents. Alteration of liver enzyme levels has been reported as a side effect of these drugs at normal doses. Herein we have reported the case of a 48-year-old woman without any previous history of liver disease, who developed fulminant liver failure after 4 months of venlafaxine and trazodone therapy. She required liver transplantation, a procedure that was successful with full patient recovery. The first 5 years of follow-up were uneventful. This case documented that venlafaxine and trazodone at normal doses can produce severe liver toxicity. Liver tests should be monitored regularly in patients who receive this therapy.

Budd-Chiari syndrome complicating hepatic sarcoidosis: definitive treatment by liver transplantation: a case report

Sarcoidotic involvement of the liver is frequent, albeit uncommonly symptomatic. Severe complications are rare, but may seldom require liver transplantation. Budd-Chiari syndrome has been described in a few patients with hepatic sarcoidosis. Herein we have reported the case of a young woman suffering from hepatic sarcoidosis who developed severe cholestasis and chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome. She successfully underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and is asymptomatic with normal liver function at 3 years follow-up. Histopathological assessment of the liver explant demonstrated a florid granulomatous process, with involvement of the large intrahepatic veins, providing an anatomical basis for the vascular flow disturbances. This case adds further evidence that liver transplantation may be the curative treatment for complicated sarcoidotic liver disease.

[Digital clubbing]

Digital clubbing is a clinical sign known for centuries. Though, no theory could yet explain this entire phenomenon, neither in its primary nor its secondary form. This article reviews the actual hypotheses bringing a plausible explanation, regarding the most current pathologies associated with digital clubbing. A focus is made on pulmonary and digestive pathologies, and particularly cirrhosis. The knowledge of the mechanisms underlying finger clubbing might lead, in the future, to an effective treatment.