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Mehta N, Kelley RK, Yao FY. Refining the approach to down-staging of HCC prior to liver transplantation: Patient selection, loco-regional treatments, and systemic therapies. Hepatology 2024; 80:238-253. [PMID: 37183865 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Neil Mehta
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - R Katie Kelley
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Francis Y Yao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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2
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The impact of biological features for a better prediction of posttransplant hepatocellular cancer recurrence. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2022; 27:305-311. [PMID: 36354256 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Morphological criteria (i.e., Milan Criteria) have been considered for a long time to be the best tool for selecting patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) waiting for liver transplantation (LT). In the last ten years, a refinement of the selection criteria has been observed, with the introduction of biological tumor characteristics enabling to enlarge the number of potential transplant candidates and to select LT candidates with a lower risk of posttransplant recurrence. RECENT FINDINGS Several biological tumor aspects have been explored and validated in international cohorts to expand the ability to predict patients at high risk for recurrence. Alpha-fetoprotein, radiological response to locoregional treatments, and other more recently proposed markers have been principally explored. Moreover, more complex statistical approaches (i.e., deep learning) have been advocated to explore the nonlinear intercorrelations between the investigated features. SUMMARY The addition of biological aspects to morphology has improved the ability to discriminate among high- and low-risk patients for recurrence. New prognostic algorithms based on the more sophisticated artificial intelligence approach are further improving the capability to select LT candidates with HCC.
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3
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Shimamura T, Goto R, Watanabe M, Kawamura N, Takada Y. Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: How Should We Improve the Thresholds? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020419. [PMID: 35053580 PMCID: PMC8773688 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The ideal treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is liver transplantation (LT), which both eliminates the HCC and cures the diseased liver. Once considered an experimental treatment with dismal survival rates, LT for HCC entered a new era with the establishment of the Milan criteria over 20 years ago. However, over the last two decades, the Milan criteria, which are based on tumor morphology, have come under intense scrutiny and are now largely regarded as too restrictive, and limit the access of transplantation for many patients who would otherwise achieve good clinical outcomes. The liver transplant community has been making every effort to reach a goal of establishing more reliable selection criteria. This article addresses how the criteria have been extended, as well as the concept of pre-transplant down-staging to maximize the eligibility. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third highest cause of cancer-related mortality, and liver transplantation is the ideal treatment for this disease. The Milan criteria provided the opportunity for HCC patients to undergo LT with favorable outcomes and have been the international gold standard and benchmark. With the accumulation of data, however, the Milan criteria are not regarded as too restrictive. After the implementation of the Milan criteria, many extended criteria have been proposed, which increases the limitations regarding the morphological tumor burden, and incorporates the tumor’s biological behavior using surrogate markers. The paradigm for the patient selection for LT appears to be shifting from morphologic criteria to a combination of biologic, histologic, and morphologic criteria, and to the establishment of a model for predicting post-transplant recurrence and outcomes. This review article aims to characterize the various patient selection criteria for LT, with reference to several surrogate markers for the biological behavior of HCC (e.g., AFP, PIVKA-II, NLR, 18F-FDG PET/CT, liquid biopsy), and the response to locoregional therapy. Furthermore, the allocation rules in each country and the present evidence on the role of down-staging large tumors are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Shimamura
- Division of Organ Transplantation, Hokkaido University Hospital, N-14, W-5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8648, Hokkaido, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Ryoichi Goto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery I, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Hokkaido, Japan;
| | - Masaaki Watanabe
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Hokkaido, Japan; (M.W.); (N.K.)
| | - Norio Kawamura
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Hokkaido, Japan; (M.W.); (N.K.)
| | - Yasutsugu Takada
- Department of HBP and Breast Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon 791-0295, Ehime, Japan;
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4
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Domínguez-Gil B, Moench K, Watson C, Serrano MT, Hibi T, Asencio JM, Van Rosmalen M, Detry O, Heimbach J, Durand F. Prevention and Management of Donor-transmitted Cancer After Liver Transplantation: Guidelines From the ILTS-SETH Consensus Conference. Transplantation 2022; 106:e12-e29. [PMID: 34905759 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
As with any other intervention in health, liver transplantation (LT) entails a variety of risks, including donor-transmitted cancers (DTCs). At present, 2%-4% of used deceased organ donors are known to have a current or past history of malignancy. The frequency of DTCs is consistently reported at 3-6 cases per 10 000 solid organ transplants, with a similar frequency in the LT setting. A majority of DTCs are occult cancers unknown in the donor at the time of transplantation. Most DTCs are diagnosed within 2 y after LT and are associated with a 51% probability of survival at 2 y following diagnosis. The probability of death is greatest for DTCs that have already metastasized at the time of diagnosis. The International Liver Transplantation Society-Sociedad Española de Trasplante Hepático working group on DTC has provided guidance on how to minimize the occurrence of DTCs while avoiding the unnecessary loss of livers for transplantation both in deceased and living donor LT. The group endorses the Council of Europe classification of risk of transmission of cancer from donor to recipient (minimal, low to intermediate, high, and unacceptable), classifies a range of malignancies in the liver donor into these 4 categories, and recommends when to consider LT, mindful of the risk of DTCs, and the clinical condition of patients on the waiting list. We further provide recommendations to professionals who identify DTC events, stressing the need to immediately alert all stakeholders concerned, so a coordinated investigation and management can be initiated; decisions on retransplantation should be made on a case-by-case basis with a multidisciplinary approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kerstin Moench
- Donor Transplant Coordination Unit, Westpfalz-Klinikum, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Christopher Watson
- The Roy Calne Transplant Unit and Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - M Trinidad Serrano
- Hepatology Section, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Taizo Hibi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Transplantation, Kumamoto University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - José M Asencio
- Liver Transplant Unit, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Olivier Detry
- Department of Abdominal Surgery and Transplantation, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liege, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | | | - François Durand
- Hepatology Department, Liver Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Beaujon, Clichy, France
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5
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Ferguson D, Finck BN. Emerging therapeutic approaches for the treatment of NAFLD and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2021; 17:484-495. [PMID: 34131333 PMCID: PMC8570106 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-021-00507-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the most prevalent liver disease in the world, yet there are still no approved pharmacological therapies to prevent or treat this condition. NAFLD encompasses a spectrum of severity, ranging from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although NASH is linked to an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis and has now become the leading cause of liver failure-related transplantation, the majority of patients with NASH will ultimately die as a result of complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiometabolic diseases. Importantly, NAFLD is closely linked to obesity and tightly interrelated with insulin resistance and T2DM. Thus, targeting these interconnected conditions and taking a holistic attitude to the treatment of metabolic disease could prove to be a very beneficial approach. This Review will explore the latest relevant literature and discuss the ongoing therapeutic options for NAFLD focused on targeting intermediary metabolism, insulin resistance and T2DM to remedy the global health burden of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ferguson
- Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Sciences, Center for Human Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Brian N Finck
- Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Sciences, Center for Human Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
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6
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Abstract
Our understanding of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease pathophysiology continues to advance rapidly. Accordingly, the field has moved from describing the clinical phenotype through the presence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and degree of fibrosis to deep phenotyping with a description of associated comorbidities, genetic polymorphisms and environmental influences that could be associated with disease progression. These insights have fuelled a robust therapeutic pipeline across a variety of new targets to resolve steatohepatitis or reverse fibrosis, or both. Additionally, some of these therapies have beneficial effects that extend beyond the liver, such as effects on glycaemic control, lipid profile and weight loss. In addition, emerging therapies for NASH cirrhosis would have to demonstrate either reversal of fibrosis with associated reduction in portal hypertension or at least delay the progression with eventual decrease in liver-related outcomes. For non-cirrhotic NASH, it is the expectation that reversal of fibrosis by one stage or resolution of NASH with no worsening in fibrosis will need to be accompanied by overall survival benefits. In this Review, we summarize NASH therapies that have progressed to phase II and beyond. We also discuss some of the potential clinical challenges with the use of these new therapies when approved.
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7
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Goldberg D, Mantero A, Newcomb C, Delgado C, Forde KA, Kaplan DE, John B, Nuchovich N, Dominguez B, Emanuel E, Reese PP. Predicting survival after liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using the LiTES-HCC score. J Hepatol 2021; 74:1398-1406. [PMID: 33453328 PMCID: PMC8137533 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Liver transplant priority in the US and Europe follows the 'sickest-first' principle. However, for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), priority is based on binary tumor criteria to expedite transplant for patients with 'acceptable' post-transplant outcomes. Newer risk scores developed to overcome limitations of these binary criteria are insufficient to be used for waitlist priority as they focus solely on HCC-related pre-transplant variables. We sought to develop a risk score to predict post-transplant survival for patients using HCC- and non-HCC-related variables. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study using national registry data on adult deceased-donor liver transplant (DDLT) recipients with HCC from 2/27/02-12/31/18. We fit Cox regression models focused on 5- and 10-year survival to estimate beta coefficients for a risk score using manual variable selection. We then calculated absolute predicted survival time and compared it to available risk scores. RESULTS Among 6,502 adult DDLT recipients with HCC, 11 variables were selected in the final model. The AUCs at 5- and 10-years were: 0.62, 95% CI 0.57-0.67 and 0.65, 95% CI 0.58-0.72, which was not statistically significantly different to the Metroticket and HALT-HCC scores. The LiTES-HCC score was able to discriminate patients based on post-transplant survival among those meeting Milan and UCSF criteria. CONCLUSION We developed and validated a risk score to predict post-transplant survival for patients with HCC. By including HCC- and non-HCC-related variables (e.g., age, chronic kidney disease), this score could allow transplant professionals to prioritize patients with HCC in terms of predicted survival. In the future, this score could be integrated into survival benefit-based models to lead to meaningful improvements in life-years at the population level. LAY SUMMARY We created a risk score to predict how long patients with liver cancer will live if they get a liver transplant. In the future, this could be used to decide which waitlisted patients should get the next transplant.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Goldberg
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Alejandro Mantero
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Craig Newcomb
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Cindy Delgado
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Kimberly A. Forde
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - David E. Kaplan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Binu John
- Bruce Carter VA Medica Center, Miami, FL
| | - Nadine Nuchovich
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Barbara Dominguez
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Ezekiel Emanuel
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Peter P. Reese
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,Renal-Electrolye and Hypertension Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
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8
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Moris D, Shaw BI, McElroy L, Barbas AS. Using Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumor Burden Score to Stratify Prognosis after Liver Transplantation. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3372. [PMID: 33202588 PMCID: PMC7697953 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) remains a mainstay of treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tumor factors such as size and number of tumors define eligibility for LT using the Milan criteria. The tumor burden score (TBS) incorporates both tumor number and size into a single continuous variable and has been used to differentiate prognosis among patients undergoing resection for HCC. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the ability of the TBS to predict overall and recurrence-free survival in patients undergoing LT for HCC. The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) was used to analyze all liver transplants for HCC, with initial tumor size data from 2004 to 2018. There were 12,486 patients in the study period. In the unadjusted analyses, patients with a high TBS had worse overall (p < 0.0001) and recurrence-free (p < 0.0001) survival. In the adjusted analyses, a high TBS was associated with a greater hazard ratio (HR) of death (HR = 1.21; 95%CI, [1.13-1.30]; p < 0.001) and recurrence (HR = 1.49; 95%CI [1.3-1.7]; p < 0.001). When we superimposed the TBS on the Milan criteria, we saw that a higher TBS was associated with a higher hazard of recurrence at values that were either all within (HR = 1.20; 95%CI, [1.04-1.37]; p = 0.011) or variably within (HR = 1.53; 95%CI, [1.16-2.01]; p = 0.002) the Milan criteria. In conclusion, the TBS is a promising tool in predicting outcomes in patients with HCC after LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Moris
- Box 3512, DUMC, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (B.I.S.); (L.M.); (A.S.B.)
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9
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Piñero F, Anders M, Boin IF, Chagas A, Quiñonez E, Marciano S, Vilatobá M, Santos L, Hoyos Duque S, Lima AS, Menendez J, Padilla M, Poniachik J, Zapata R, Soza A, Maraschio M, Chong Menéndez R, Muñoz L, Arufe D, Figueroa R, de Ataide EC, Maccali C, Vergara Sandoval R, Bermudez C, Podesta LG, McCormack L, Varón A, Gadano A, Mattera J, Villamil F, Rubinstein F, Carrilho F, Silva M. Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: impact of expansion criteria in a multicenter cohort study from a high waitlist mortality region. Transpl Int 2020; 34:97-109. [PMID: 33040420 DOI: 10.1111/tri.13767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to compare liver transplantation (LT) outcomes and evaluate the potential rise in numbers of LT candidates with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of different allocation policies in a high waitlist mortality region. Three policies were applied in two Latin American cohorts (1085 HCC transplanted patients and 917 listed patients for HCC): (i) Milan criteria with expansion according to UCSF downstaging (UCSF-DS), (ii) the AFP score, and (iii) restrictive policy or Double Eligibility Criteria (DEC; within Milan + AFP score ≤2). Increase in HCC patient numbers was evaluated in an Argentinian prospective validation set (INCUCAI; NCT03775863). Expansion criteria in policy A showed that UCSF-DS [28.4% (CI 12.8-56.2)] or "all-comers" [32.9% (CI 11.9-71.3)] had higher 5-year recurrence rates compared to Milan, with 10.9% increase in HCC patients for LT. The policy B showed lower recurrence rates for AFP scores ≤2 points, even expanding beyond Milan criteria, with a 3.3% increase. Patients within DEC had lower 5-year recurrence rates compared with those beyond DEC [13.3% (CI 10.1-17.3) vs 24.2% (CI 17.4-33.1; P = 0.0006], without significant HCC expansion. In conclusion, although the application of a stricter policy may optimize the selection process, this restrictive policy may lead to ethical concerns in organ allocation (NCT03775863).
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Piñero
- Hospital Universitario Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Latin American Liver Research Educational and Awareness Network (LALREAN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Margarita Anders
- Latin American Liver Research Educational and Awareness Network (LALREAN), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Hospital Alemán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ilka F Boin
- Hospital das Clínicas UNICAMP Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline Chagas
- Hospital das Clínicas University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mario Vilatobá
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición "Salvador Zubirán", Tlalpan, México
| | | | - Sergio Hoyos Duque
- Grupo de Gastrohepatología, Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | | | | | | | | | - Rodrigo Zapata
- Clínica Alemana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandro Soza
- Hospital Clínico, Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | | | - Linda Muñoz
- Hospital Universitario "Dr. José E. González", Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Diego Arufe
- Sanatorio Sagrado Corazón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Claudia Maccali
- Hospital das Clínicas University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Carla Bermudez
- Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Adriana Varón
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición "Salvador Zubirán", Tlalpan, México
| | | | - Juan Mattera
- Hospital das Clínicas University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Federico Villamil
- Hospital El Cruce, Florencio Varela, Argentina.,Hospital Británico, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernando Rubinstein
- Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria (IECS), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Flair Carrilho
- Hospital das Clínicas University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Silva
- Hospital Universitario Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Latin American Liver Research Educational and Awareness Network (LALREAN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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10
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Finotti M, Vitale A, Volk M, Cillo U. A 2020 update on liver transplant for hepatocellular carcinoma. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 14:885-900. [PMID: 32662680 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2020.1791704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequent liver tumor and is associated with chronic liver disease in 90% of cases. In selected cases, liver transplantation represents an effective therapy with excellent overall survival. AREA COVERED Since the introduction of Milan criteria in 1996, numerous alternative selection systems to LT for HCC patients have been proposed. Debate remains about how best to select HCC patients for transplant and how to prioritize them on the waiting list. EXPERT OPINION The selection of the best scoring system to propose in the context of LT for HCC is far to be identified. In this review, we analyze and categorize the various selection systems, assessing their roles in the different decisional phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Finotti
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Padova University Hospital , Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Padova University Hospital , Padova, Italy
| | - Michael Volk
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Loma Linda University Health , Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Padova University Hospital , Padova, Italy
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11
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McVey JC, Sasaki K, Firl DJ. Risk assessment criteria in liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: proposal to improve transplant oncology. Hepat Oncol 2020; 7:HEP26. [PMID: 32774836 PMCID: PMC7399580 DOI: 10.2217/hep-2020-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma has proved to be a highly effective cure if the right patient can be selected. Milan criteria has traditionally guided physicians toward appropriate liver allocation but changes in clinical practice, patient populations and recent developments in biomarkers are decreasing Milan criteria’s utility. At the same time, the literature has flooded with a diversity of new criteria that demonstrate strong predictive power and are better suited for current clinical practice. In this article, the utility of newly proposed criteria will be reviewed and important issues to improve future criteria will be addressed in hopes of opening a discussion on how key questions surrounding criteria for liver transplantation of hepatocellular carcinoma can be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C McVey
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA.,Gastrointestinal & Thoracic Malignancy Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kazunari Sasaki
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
| | - Daniel J Firl
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27705, USA
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12
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Shadows Behind Using Simple Risk Models in Selection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients for Liver Transplantation. Ann Surg 2020; 271:1124-1131. [PMID: 30601254 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000003176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the potential influence of replacing Milan criteria with simple risk scores on outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing liver transplantation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Several risk scores combining morphological and biological features were recently proposed for precise selection of HCC patients for transplantation. METHODS This retrospective study included 282 HCC liver transplant recipients. Recurrence-free survival (RFS), the primary outcome measure, was evaluated according to Metroticket 2.0 model and French AFP model with Milan criteria serving as benchmark. RESULTS Patients were well stratified with respect to RFS by Milan criteria, Metroticket 2.0 criteria, and AFP model cut-off ≤2 points (all P < 0.001) with c-statistics of 0.680, 0.695, and 0.681, respectively. Neither Metroticket 2.0 criteria (0.014, Z = 0.023; P = 0.509) nor AFP model (-0.014, Z = -0.021; P = 0.492) provided significant net reclassification improvement. Both patients within the Metroticket 2.0 criteria and AFP model ≤2 points exhibited heterogeneous recurrence risk, dependent upon alpha-fetoprotein (P = 0.026) and tumor number (P = 0.024), respectively. RFS of patients beyond Milan but within Metroticket 2.0 criteria (75.3%) or with AFP model ≤2 points (74.1%) was inferior to that observed for patients within Milan criteria (87.1%; P = 0.067 and P = 0.045, respectively). Corresponding microvascular invasion rates were 37.2% and 50.0%, compared with 13.6% in patients within Milan criteria (both P < 0.001). Moreover, Milan-out status was associated with significantly higher recurrence risk in subgroups within Metroticket 2.0 criteria (P = 0.021) or AFP model ≤2 points (P = 0.014). CONCLUSION Utilization of simple risk scores for liver transplant eligibility assessment leads to selection of patients at higher risk of posttransplant HCC recurrence.
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13
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Firl DJ, Sasaki K, Agopian VG, Gorgen A, Kimura S, Dumronggittigule W, McVey JC, Iesari S, Mennini G, Vitale A, Finkenstedt A, Onali S, Hoppe-Lotichius M, Vennarecci G, Manzia TM, Nicolini D, Avolio AW, Agnes S, Vivarelli M, Tisone G, Ettorre GM, Otto G, Tsochatzis E, Rossi M, Viveiros A, Cillo U, Markmann JF, Ikegami T, Kaido T, Lai Q, Sapisochin G, Lerut J, Aucejo FN. Charting the Path Forward for Risk Prediction in Liver Transplant for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: International Validation of HALTHCC Among 4,089 Patients. Hepatology 2020; 71:569-582. [PMID: 31243778 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prognosticating outcomes in liver transplant (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to challenge the field. Although Milan Criteria (MC) generalized the practice of LT for HCC and improved outcomes, its predictive character has degraded with increasing candidate and oncological heterogeneity. We sought to validate and recalibrate a previously developed, preoperatively calculated, continuous risk score, the Hazard Associated with Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HALTHCC), in an international cohort. From 2002 to 2014, 4,089 patients (both MC in and out [25.2%]) across 16 centers in North America, Europe, and Asia were included. A continuous risk score using pre-LT levels of alpha-fetoprotein, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Sodium score, and tumor burden score was recalibrated among a randomly selected cohort (n = 1,021) and validated in the remainder (n = 3,068). This study demonstrated significant heterogeneity by site and year, reflecting practice trends over the last decade. On explant pathology, both vascular invasion (VI) and poorly differentiated component (PDC) increased with increasing HALTHCC score. The lowest-risk patients (HALTHCC 0-5) had lower rates of VI and PDC than the highest-risk patients (HALTHCC > 35) (VI, 7.7%[ 1.2-14.2] vs. 70.6% [48.3-92.9] and PDC:4.6% [0.1%-9.8%] vs. 47.1% [22.6-71.5]; P < 0.0001 for both). This trend was robust to MC status. This international study was used to adjust the coefficients in the HALTHCC score. Before recalibration, HALTHCC had the greatest discriminatory ability for overall survival (OS; C-index = 0.61) compared to all previously reported scores. Following recalibration, the prognostic utility increased for both recurrence (C-index = 0.71) and OS (C-index = 0.63). Conclusion: This large international trial validated and refined the role for the continuous risk metric, HALTHCC, in establishing pre-LT risk among candidates with HCC worldwide. Prospective trials introducing HALTHCC into clinical practice are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Firl
- Department of General Surgery and Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Kazunari Sasaki
- Department of General Surgery and Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Vatche G Agopian
- Dumont-UCLA Transplant and Liver Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Andre Gorgen
- Department of Abdominal Transplant and HPB Surgical Oncology, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shoko Kimura
- Transplant Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Wethit Dumronggittigule
- Dumont-UCLA Transplant and Liver Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - John C McVey
- Department of General Surgery and Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Samuele Iesari
- Starzl Unit of Abdominal Transplantation, St. Luc University Hospital, Université Catholique Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gianluca Mennini
- Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Armin Finkenstedt
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Simona Onali
- UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health and Royal Free Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital and UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Hoppe-Lotichius
- Department of Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Giovanni Vennarecci
- Division of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation, San Camillo Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso M Manzia
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Nicolini
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Transplantation, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Torrette Ancona, Italy
| | - Alfonso W Avolio
- Liver Unit, Department of Surgery, Agostino Gemelli Hospital, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Agnes
- Liver Unit, Department of Surgery, Agostino Gemelli Hospital, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Vivarelli
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Transplantation, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Torrette Ancona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tisone
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe M Ettorre
- Division of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation, San Camillo Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerd Otto
- Department of Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Emmanuel Tsochatzis
- UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health and Royal Free Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital and UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Rossi
- Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Andre Viveiros
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - James F Markmann
- Transplant Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | | | - Quirino Lai
- Starzl Unit of Abdominal Transplantation, St. Luc University Hospital, Université Catholique Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gonzalo Sapisochin
- Department of Abdominal Transplant and HPB Surgical Oncology, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jan Lerut
- Starzl Unit of Abdominal Transplantation, St. Luc University Hospital, Université Catholique Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Federico N Aucejo
- Department of General Surgery and Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
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14
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Qureshi K, Neuschwander-Tetri BA. The molecular basis for current targets of NASH therapies. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2019; 29:151-161. [PMID: 31847612 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1703949] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a leading cause of liver disease in children and adults, a major contributor to health-care expenditures, and now a leading reason for liver transplantation. Adopting lifestyle modifications with regular exercise and a focus on healthy eating habits is the primary recommendation. However, patients are often unable to achieve and sustain such changes for a variety of social, physical, psychological and genetic reasons. Thus, treatments that can prevent and reverse NASH and its associated fibrosis are a major focus of current drug development.Areas covered: This review covers the current understanding of lipotoxic liver injury in the pathogenesis of NASH and how lifestyle modification and the spectrum of drugs currently in clinical trials address the many pathways leading to the phenotype of NASH.Expert opinion: Contrary to the frequently expressed nihilistic view of our understanding of NASH and disappointment with clinical trial results, much is known about the pathogenesis of NASH and there is much reason to be optimistic that effective therapies will be identified in the next 5-10 years. Achieving this will require continued refinement of clinical trial endpoints, continued engagement of trial sponsors and regulatory authorities, and continued participation of dedicated patients in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamran Qureshi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
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15
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Grąt M, Krawczyk M, Stypułkowski J, Morawski M, Krasnodębski M, Wasilewicz M, Lewandowski Z, Grąt K, Patkowski W, Zieniewicz K. Prognostic Relevance of a Complete Pathologic Response in Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 2019; 26:4556-4565. [PMID: 31520204 PMCID: PMC6863942 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-019-07811-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A complete pathologic response (CPR) after neoadjuvant treatment is reported to be associated with an exceptionally low risk of recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of CPR in liver transplantation for HCC. METHODS This retrospective cohort study was based on 222 HCC transplant recipients. Incidence of recurrence and survival at 5 years were the primary and secondary outcome measures, respectively. Competing risk analyses were applied to evaluate recurrence incidence and its predictors. Propensity score matching was performed to compare the outcomes for patients after neoadjuvant treatment with and without CPR. RESULTS Neoadjuvant treatment was performed for 127 patients, 32 of whom achieved CPR (25.2%). Comparison of baseline characteristics showed that the patients with CPR were at lowest baseline recurrence risk, followed by treatment-naïve patients and patients without CPR. Adjusted for potential confounders, CPR did not have any significant effects on tumor recurrence. No significant net reclassification improvement was noted after addition of CPR to existing criteria. Neoadjuvant treatment without CPR was associated with increased risk of recurrence in subgroups within the Milan criteria (p = 0.016), with alpha-fetoprotein concentration (AFP) model not exceeding 2 points (p = 0.021) and within the Warsaw criteria (p = 0.007) compared with treatment-naïve patients who were at risk similar to those with CPR. The 5-year incidences of recurrence in propensity score-matched patients with and without CPR were respectively 14.0% and 15.9% (p = 0.661), with corresponding survival rates of 73.2% and 67.4%, respectively (p = 0.329). CONCLUSIONS The findings showed that CPR is not independently associated with long-term outcomes after liver transplantation for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Grąt
- Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Marek Krawczyk
- Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Stypułkowski
- Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Morawski
- Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Krasnodębski
- Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Wasilewicz
- Hepatology and Internal Medicine Unit, Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Lewandowski
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Grąt
- Second Department of Clinical Radiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Waldemar Patkowski
- Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Zieniewicz
- Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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16
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Lai Q, Vitale A, Iesari S, Finkenstedt A, Mennini G, Onali S, Hoppe-Lotichius M, Manzia TM, Nicolini D, Avolio AW, Mrzljak A, Kocman B, Agnes S, Vivarelli M, Tisone G, Otto G, Tsochatzis E, Rossi M, Viveiros A, Ciccarelli O, Cillo U, Lerut J. The Intention-to-Treat Effect of Bridging Treatments in the Setting of Milan Criteria-In Patients Waiting for Liver Transplantation. Liver Transpl 2019; 25:1023-1033. [PMID: 31087772 DOI: 10.1002/lt.25492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) meeting the Milan criteria (MC), the benefit of locoregional therapies (LRTs) in the context of liver transplantation (LT) is still debated. Initial biases in the selection between treated and untreated patients have yielded conflicting reported results. The study aimed to identify, using a competing risk analysis, risk factors for HCC-dependent LT failure, defined as pretransplant tumor-related delisting or posttransplant recurrence. The study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (identification number NCT03723304). In order to offset the initial limitations of the investigated population, an inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was used: 1083 MC-in patients (no LRT = 182; LRT = 901) were balanced using 8 variables: age, sex, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) value, hepatitis C virus status, hepatitis B virus status, largest lesion diameter, number of nodules, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). All the covariates were available at the first referral. After the IPTW, a pseudo-population of 2019 patients listed for LT was analyzed, comparing 2 homogeneous groups of untreated (n = 1077) and LRT-treated (n = 942) patients. Tumor progression after LRT was the most important independent risk factor for HCC-dependent failure (subhazard ratio [SHR], 5.62; P < 0.001). Other independent risk factors were major tumor diameter, AFP, MELD, patient age, male sex, and period of wait-list registration. One single LRT was protective compared with no treatment (SHR, 0.51; P < 0.001). The positive effect was still observed when 2-3 treatments were performed (SHR, 0.66; P = 0.02), but it was lost in the case of ≥4 LRTs (SHR, 0.80; P = 0.27). In conclusion, for MC-in patients, up to 3 LRTs are beneficial for success in intention-to-treat LT patients, with a 49% to 34% reduction in failure risk compared with untreated patients. This benefit is lost if more LRTs are required. A poor response to LRT is associated with a higher risk for HCC-dependent transplant failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quirino Lai
- Starzl Abdominal Transplant Unit, Pôle de Chirurgie Expérimentale et Transplantation, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Samuele Iesari
- Starzl Abdominal Transplant Unit, Pôle de Chirurgie Expérimentale et Transplantation, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Armin Finkenstedt
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gianluca Mennini
- Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Onali
- University College London Institute for Liver and Digestive Health and Royal Free Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital and University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Hoppe-Lotichius
- Department of Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tommaso M Manzia
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Nicolini
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Transplantation, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Polytechnic University of Marche, Torrette Ancona, Italy
| | - Alfonso W Avolio
- Liver Unit, Department of Surgery, Agostino Gemelli Hospital, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Mrzljak
- Liver Transplant Centre, Merkur University, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Salvatore Agnes
- Liver Unit, Department of Surgery, Agostino Gemelli Hospital, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Vivarelli
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Transplantation, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Polytechnic University of Marche, Torrette Ancona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tisone
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerd Otto
- Department of Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Emmanuel Tsochatzis
- University College London Institute for Liver and Digestive Health and Royal Free Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital and University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Rossi
- Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Andre Viveiros
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Olga Ciccarelli
- Starzl Abdominal Transplant Unit, Pôle de Chirurgie Expérimentale et Transplantation, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Jan Lerut
- Starzl Abdominal Transplant Unit, Pôle de Chirurgie Expérimentale et Transplantation, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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17
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Lai Q, Vitale A. Transplantation for hepatocellular cancer: pushing to the limits? Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 3:61. [PMID: 30363754 DOI: 10.21037/tgh.2018.09.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Milan criteria (MC) represents the cornerstone in the selection of patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) waiting for liver transplantation (LT). MC represent the precursor of the scores based on the idea of "utility": in other terms, the scoring systems typically used in the field of LT oncology present the exclusive aim of selecting the cases with the best post-LT outcomes. However, some other scores have been proposed specifically investigating the risk of death or tumour progression during the waiting list. In this case, the selection process is connected with the idea of "priority": patients at higher risk for drop-out (DO) should be selected, prioritising them or, conversely, deciding to de-list them due to the high risk of post-LT futile transplant. Lastly, models based on the concept of "benefit", namely the balancing between priority and utility, have been recently created. The present review aims to examine these three different types of scoring systems, trying to underline their pro and cons in the allocation process of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quirino Lai
- General Surgery and Organ Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University, Padua, Italy
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