Splenomegaly in FOLFOX-naïve stage IV or recurrent colorectal cancer patients due to chemotherapy-associated hepatotoxicity can be predicted by the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio before chemotherapy

Oxaliplatin‑induced changes in splenic volume and liver fibrosis indices: retrospective analyses of colon cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy

The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between increased splenic volume (SV) and liver fibrosis indices in colon cancer patients receiving oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients who received adjuvant oxaliplatin-based regimens with the diagnosis of stage II and III colon cancer were evaluated. Splenic volume measurements, liver function tests, platelet count, and non-invasive liver fibrosis indices [NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), AST to platelet ratio (APRI), and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4)] were measured before and after treatment. A 30% increase in SV after chemotherapy compared to baseline was considered increased SV. The rate of increase in SV was 57.7% in the whole group. An increase in SV was shown at a higher rate in patients treated with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) than those treated with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) (66.3% vs. 36.8%, p = 0.002). Furthermore, the CAPOX regimen (OR: 2.831, 95% CI: 1.125-7.121; p = 0.027), and higher post-treatment FIB-4 score (OR: 3.779; 95% CI:1.537- 9.294, p = 0.004) were determined as independent risk factors for the increased SV. Our study revealed that increased SV had a significant association with higher FIB-4 score in patients treated with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

Simple systemic index associated with oxaliplatin-induced liver damage can be a novel biomarker to predict prognosis after resection of colorectal liver metastasis

Aim

Oxaliplatin, an anticancer drug for advanced colorectal cancer, causes liver sinusoidal damage, sometimes with portal hypertension. We conducted a retrospective comparative study of the relationship of liver sinusoidal disorders and liver function with the prognosis in patients who underwent hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM).

Methods

In total, 158 patients who underwent hepatectomy for CRLM were included in the study, and the effect of chemotherapy-associated liver damage on the prognosis was examined.

Results

Preoperative oxaliplatin was used in 75 of 158 patients; of these 75 patients, 26 had intraoperative blue liver (BL). In a comparison of the BL group (n = 26) and non-BL group (n = 132), patients in the BL group had a significantly lower serum albumin concentration and a significantly higher indocyanine green test result, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and FIB-4 score. Operative morbidities were not significantly different between the two groups. The overall survival rate after hepatectomy was significantly worse in the BL group than in the non-BL group. In the univariate analysis, the serum albumin concentration, indocyanine green test, a high tumor burden score (TBS), and the APRI were statistically significant poor prognostic factors. In the multivariate analysis, the APRI and a high TBS were independent poor prognostic factors.

Conclusion

The APRI and TBS in patients with CRLM are prognostic predictors after hepatectomy for metastatic liver cancer. This study indicated that liver damage in patients treated with preoperative oxaliplatin has an effect on the prognosis.

Usefulness of ultrasonography and elastography in diagnosing oxaliplatin-induced sinusoidal obstruction syndrome

Background

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) refers to liver injury caused by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and anticancer drugs including oxaliplatin. Increased splenic volume (SV) on computed tomography (CT) indicates oxaliplatin-induced SOS. Similarly, ultrasonography and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by shear-wave elastography (SWE) can help diagnose SOS after HSCT; however, their usefulness for diagnosing oxaliplatin-induced SOS remains unclear. We investigated the usefulness of the Hokkaido ultrasonography-based scoring system with 10 ultrasonographic parameters (HokUS-10) and SWE in diagnosing oxaliplatin-induced SOS early.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, ultrasonography and SWE were performed before and at 2, 4, and 6 months after oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. HokUS-10 was used for assessment. CT volumetry of the SV was performed in clinical practice, and an SV increase ≥ 30% was considered the diagnostic indicator of oxaliplatin-induced SOS. We assessed whether HokUS-10 and SWE can lead to an early detection of oxaliplatin-induced SOS before an increased SV on CT.

Results

Of the 30 enrolled patients with gastrointestinal cancers, 12 (40.0%) with an SV increase  ≥ 30% on CT were diagnosed with SOS. The HokUS-10 score was not correlated with an SV increase ≥ 30% (r = 0.18). The change in rate of three HokUS-10 parameters were correlated with an SV increase ≥ 30% (r = 0.32–0.41). The change in rate of LSM by SWE was correlated with an SV increase  ≥ 30% (r = 0.40).

Conclusions

The usefulness of HokUS-10 score was not demonstrated; however, some HokUS-10 parameters and SWE could be useful for the early diagnosis of oxaliplatin-induced SOS.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10147-022-02235-4.

Esophagogastric varices were diagnosed in a non-cirrhotic liver case during long-term follow-up after oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy

Oxaliplatin, a chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer, has been associated with pathological evidence of sinusoidal endothelial injury in the liver. However, esophagogastric varices are a poorly recognized outcome of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. We report a 78-year-old man, whose past history of colon cancer was resection and treatment with mFOLFOX6 for 20 weeks, as adjuvant chemotherapy. After 3.5-year follow-up of the oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, he was diagnosed with esophageal varices without liver dysfunction, indicating that the hepatotoxicity caused by oxaliplatin could be prolonged after its administration. Patients who have received oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy should be followed up carefully over the long term.

A case of severe stenosis of hepatic veins and inferior vena cava with stomal variceal bleeding induced by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy

A 27-year-old woman with colon cancer and liver metastasis was referred to our hospital. Colectomy and colostomy were performed to improve her ileus. Following 13 sessions of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy (OC) with mFOLFOX6 + bevacizumab, thrombocytopenia and frequent peristomal bleeding occurred. Computed tomography showed severe ascites, splenomegaly, significant collateral veins around the stoma, and severe stenosis of the hepatic veins (HV) and inferior vena cava (IVC). Ultrasound elastography showed high liver (and spleen) stiffness values. Repeated OC appeared to cause IVC stenosis as a result of worsening sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), and peristomal variceal bleeding. After ultrasound-guided percutaneous embolization, bleeding did not recur. Unfortunately, the patient died of liver dysfunction caused by severe SOS. The incidence of OC-induced SOS is reported to be about 50%; however, there is apparently no report of OC-induced HV and IVC stenosis, and in most cases, portal hypertension is improved after OC cessation. This is the first report of OC-induced severe HV and IVC stenosis resulting in refractory peristomal variceal bleeding and eventual death.

Hepatic atrophy following preoperative chemotherapy predicts hepatic insufficiency after resection of colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND & AIMS

For patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) undergoing major hepatectomy, extensive preoperative chemotherapy has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The impact of extensive chemotherapy on total liver volume (TLV) change is unclear. The aims of the current study were twofold: (1) to determine the change of TLV following preoperative chemotherapy in patients undergoing resection for CLM and (2) to investigate the correlations among TLV change, postoperative hepatic insufficiency (PHI), and death from liver failure.

METHODS

Clinicopathological features of patients with CLM who underwent preoperative chemotherapy and curative resection were reviewed (2008-2015). TLV change (degree of atrophy) was defined as the percentage difference of TLV (estimated by manual volumetry)/standardized liver volume (SLV) ratio: ([Pre-chemotherapy TLV]-[Post-chemotherapy TLV])×100÷SLV (%). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to decide the accurate cut-off value of degree of atrophy to predict PHI. The Cox proportional hazard model was performed to identify the predictors of severe degree of atrophy and PHI.

RESULTS

The study cohort consisted of 459 patients, of which 154 patients (34%) underwent extensive preoperative chemotherapy (≥7 cycles). ROC analysis identified the degree of atrophy ≥10% as an accurate cut-off to predict PHI, which was significantly correlated with ≥7 cycles of preoperative chemotherapy. Four factors independently predicted PHI: standardized future liver remnant ≤30% (odds ratio [OR] 4.03, p=0.019), high aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (OR 5.27, p=0.028), degree of atrophy ≥10% (OR 43.5, p<0.001), and major hepatic resection (OR 5.78, p=0.005). Degree of atrophy ≥10% was associated with increased mortality from liver failure (0% [0/374] vs. 15% [13/85], p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Extensive preoperative chemotherapy induced significant atrophic change of TLV. Degree of atrophy ≥10% is an independent predictor of PHI and death in patients with CLM undergoing preoperative chemotherapy and resection.

LAY SUMMARY

Extensive preoperative chemotherapy for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) could induce hepatic atrophy. A higher degree of atrophy is an independent predictor of postoperative hepatic insufficiency and death in patients with CLM undergoing preoperative chemotherapy and resection.

Extravasated platelet aggregation in the livers of rats with drug‑induced hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome

Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases. Oxaliplatin, however, causes sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), which is characterized by portal hypertension, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, and liver dysfunction. SOS is diagnosed histopathologically by disruption of the sinusoidal endothelium, collagen deposition, fibrosis especially around zone 3, dilatation of the sinusoidal space and congestion. This study assessed the characteristics of a rat model of SOS. SOS was induced in rats by administration of monocrotaline (MCT). Blood chemistries and macroscopic and microscopic findings were compared in rats administered MCT and vehicle (control group). Levels of expression in the liver of CD41, P‑selectin, rat endothelial cell antigen‑1, CD34, and cleaved caspase‑3 were analyzed immunohistochemically. Moreover, livers of these rats were analyzed by electron microscopy. Macroscopically, MCT‑treated rats showed accumulation of bloody ascites and blue liver and were diagnosed with SOS histologically. Serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (P=0.003), alanine aminotransferase (P=0.008), total‑bilirubin (P=0.012), direct‑bilirubin (P=0.007), indirect‑bilirubin (P=0.003), lactate dehydrogenase (P<0.001) and hyaluronic acid (P=0.016) were significantly higher, and platelet counts significantly lower (P=0.004), in MCT‑treated than in control rats. The livers of MCT‑treated rats were immunohistochemically positive for CD41 and P‑selectin, suggesting platelet aggregates; for rat endothelial cell antigen‑1 and CD34, suggesting sinusoidal endothelial disorder; and for cleaved caspase‑3, suggesting hepatocyte apoptosis. Electron microscopic findings revealed platelet aggregation in the space of Disse in the MCT group. Extravasated platelet aggregation in Disse's space may be involved in the development of SOS.

Changes in Noninvasive Liver Fibrosis Indices and Spleen Size During Chemotherapy: Potential Markers for Oxaliplatin-Induced Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome

Oxaliplatin-based regimens are standard treatments for the patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced gastric cancer (AGC). However, owing to hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), the use of oxaliplatin sometimes results in splenomegaly. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between chemotherapy-associated changes of noninvasive liver fibrosis indices and volumetric changes of the spleen.From February 2004 to April 2014, patients with CRC or AGC receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy were studied. The possibility of SOS development was evaluated before and after the oxaliplatin exposure with splenic volume index (SVI). Four different noninvasive liver fibrosis indices were used for risk analysis, namely age-platelet index (API), AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), platelet-to-spleen ratio (PSR), and fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4).A total of 275 patients were eligible for evaluation: 200 patients had CRC and 75 patients had AGC. Using the cutoff of SVI increase ≥ 0.3, 113 patients (41.1%) were positive for splenomegaly. The changes of indices significantly correlated with SVI increase. Adjusted odds ratios for those indices were as follows: API = 1.16 (95% confidential interval [CI], 1.01-1.32; P = .03); APRI = 2.45 (95% CI, 1.30-4.63; P = .01); PSR = 0.69 (95% CI, 0.59-0.80; P < .01); and FIB-4 = 1.37 (95% CI, 1.16-1.63; P < .01). Optimal cutoff values with statistical significance were calculated and suggested.The changes of noninvasive liver fibrosis indices showed a good correlation with the increase in the spleen volume during oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. Validation of these indices for monitoring of oxaliplatin-induced hepatic SOS is warranted.

Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy induces extravasated platelet aggregation in the liver

Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy plays a central role in the treatment of patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). This treatment, however, has been associated with hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), a clinically important adverse effect characterized by a bluish hue of the liver, splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia, resulting in liver dysfunction. The significant association between the sinusoidal endothelium and platelets has suggested that oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy affects platelets in the liver. This study compared platelet counts in patients who did and did not receive oxaliplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The peripheral blood platelet count was significantly lower in the NAC group (n=17) compared to that in the non-NAC, or control group (n=15) (P<0.05). The spleen index was also higher in the NAC group, although the difference was not significant. However, the spleens of the patients in the NAC group were significantly enlarged following treatment (P<0.01). Immunostaining for the platelet surface marker CD42b (glycoprotein Ib), revealed more platelets in the liver in the NAC compared to the control group, particularly in the centrilobular zone III, adjacent to the hepatic central vein and in contact with hepatocytes (P<0.01). The platelets present in the spaces of Disse, referred to as extravasated platelet aggregation (EPA), secrete a number of growth factors, including transforming growth factor-β, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and thromboxane A2. In conclusion, EPA may play an important role in the development of hepatic SOS. Moreover, antiplatelet drugs may prevent the onset of SOS and hepatic injury in patients treated with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for CRLM.

Evaluation and management of hepatic injury induced by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastasis

Patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) can be cured with surgical resection. Recent advances in systemic chemotherapy, including molecular target agents, can be used to introduce "conversion surgery" and achieve R0 resection even in patients with initially unresectable CRLM. Furthermore, neoadjuvant chemotherapy also tries to be applied in patients with resectable CRLM to maximize the remnant liver and reduce the residual micrometastasis before surgery. The development of chemotherapy-induced hepatic injuries is increasingly being recognized, including sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS), steatosis, steatohepatitis and biliary sclerosis. Especially, oxaliplatin (L-OHP)-based chemotherapy in clinical settings appears to be primarily associated with SOS. Various reports have tried to demonstrate the rationale of the correlation between L-OHP-based chemotherapy and SOS for the following hepatic surgery. While we can recognize that this pathophysiological disadvantage leads to hepatic dysfunction and the increasing postoperative morbidity, the essential part of this problem including clinical disadvantage, onset mechanism, evaluation systems, and targeted agents for prevention and treatment of SOS continue to be unclear. In this review, we summarize the current experience with hepatic injury induced by L-OHP-based chemotherapy, focusing on SOS-based on clinical and experimental data, in order to assist in the resolution of these identified factors. Finally, the need for reliable methods to identify the risk of SOS, to evaluate SOS status and to predict the safety of surgical treatment in patients with chemotherapy prior to surgery will be emphasized.

The aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio before chemotherapy predicts adverse events for FOLFOX and XELOX regimens including bevacizumab as the first-line therapy for stage IV, recurrent and metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastasis can induce hepatotoxicity, which increases the risk of liver resection. We previously reported that the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio (APR) before chemotherapy can indicate oxaliplatin-induced splenomegaly and also predict the occurrence of adverse events during chemotherapy. Bevacizumab (BEV) was recently reported to reduce oxaliplatin-induced splenomegaly. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether the APR before chemotherapy can predict the splenomegaly and adverse events associated with FOLFOX/BEV or XELOX/BEV in patients with stage IV or recurrent colorectal cancer.

METHODS

We performed CT volumetry of the spleen before and 12 weeks after FOLFOX/BEV and XELOX/BEV in 63 patients. The incidence of adverse events, haematological parameters, and biochemistry and urinalysis results were assessed during treatment.

RESULTS

An increase in the splenic volume was not observed in the FOLFOX/BEV group, but was significant in the XELOX/BEV group (+5.0% vs. +18.8%, P=0.01). The APR before chemotherapy did not indicate the presence of splenomegaly in the 63 patients, however, it did significantly predict the development of grade 2 or higher adverse events during chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

An APR of 0.15 or higher before chemotherapy did not indicate the presence of splenomegaly, but could predict the development of adverse events due to FOLFOX/BEV and XELOX/BEV treatment.

Magnetic resonance imaging flowmetry demonstrates portal vein dilatation subsequent to oxaliplatin therapy in patients with colorectal liver metastasis

OBJECTIVES

Sinusoidal injury (SI) after oxaliplatin-based therapies for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) can increase postoperative morbidity. Preoperative methods to estimate SI are lacking. The aim of this study was to identify SI by evaluating portal vein haemodynamics.

METHODS

Magnetic resonance imaging flowmetry (MRIF) was used to estimate portal vein haemodynamics in 29 patients with CRLM before liver surgery. Sinusoidal injury was evaluated from resected non-tumorous liver parenchyma according to the combined vascular injury (CVI) score of ≥3.

RESULTS

All patients with SI (six of 29) received oxaliplatin; however, a significant association could not be proven (P= 0.148). Oxaliplatin-treated patients showed portal vein dilatation in both the SI and non-SI groups compared with patients who had not received oxaliplatin (Bonferroni corrected P= 0.003 and P= 0.039, respectively). Mean portal velocity tended to be lower in patients with SI compared with oxaliplatin-treated patients without SI (Bonferroni corrected P= 0.087). A mean portal velocity of ≤14.35 cm/s together with a cross-section area of ≥1.55 cm(2) was found to predict SI with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 78%.

CONCLUSIONS

Oxaliplatin treatment was associated with portal vein dilatation. Patients with SI showed a tendency towards decreased mean portal flow velocity. This may indicate that SI is associated with an increased resistance to blood flow in the liver parenchyma. Portal vein haemodynamic variables estimated by MRIF can identify patients without SI non-invasively.

Complications of oncologic therapy in the abdomen and pelvis: a review

Cancer therapy has significantly improved in the past few decades with development of various newer classes of cytotoxic chemotherapy as well as novel, molecularly targeted chemotherapy. Similar to chemotherapy, radiotherapy is another important therapeutic option used in the curative and palliative management of various abdominal malignancies. However, both these treatments affect the tumor as well as the normal tissues, leading to significant toxicity. These side effects range from mild to life threatening, and may involve multiple organs. Imaging plays an important role in the early identification of such complications, which may allow more effective patient management. The aim of this article is to discuss and illustrate the wide spectrum of chemotherapy and radiotherapy induced complications in the abdomen and pelvis.

Laparoscopic Splenectomy in Colorectal Cancer Patients with Chemotherapy-Associated Thrombocytopenia due to Hypersplenism

Background

Hypersplenism due to chemotherapy-related liver injury has been associated with severe thrombocytopenia that may preclude continuation of systemic therapy for cancer patients. Patients treated for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are among the most common patients affected by hypersplenism. Cessation of systemic therapy invariably leads to progression of disease. While partial splenic embolization has been employed successfully to reverse the effects of hypersplenism, the role of laparoscopic splenectomy for this problem has not been completely defined.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of mCRC patients treated with laparoscopic splenectomy at our institution to reverse severe thrombocytopenia due to chemotherapy-related hypersplenism. An endpoint assessed was the ability to resume therapy after splenectomy.

Results

Six patients with mCRC and hypersplenism requiring cessation of systemic therapy underwent laparoscopic splenectomy. All (6) patients had a postsurgical platelet count >150 × 10³/μl and resumed chemotherapy after surgery. Median platelet count prior to surgery was 66 × 10³/μl, and just prior to resuming systemic therapy it was 399.5 × 10³/μl. Median spleen size was 14.0 cm. There were no surgical complications. Mean hospital stay was 2.8 days and the median time from surgery to resumption of therapy was 23.5 days.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic splenectomy appears to offer selected patients with mCRC the opportunity to resume systemic therapy that otherwise would be discontinued due to thrombocytopenia from hypersplenism.