Steroid withdrawal in adult liver transplantation: occurrence at a single center

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

Background/Aims

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an immunosuppressive regimen without steroids after liver transplantation (LT) for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Sixty-six HCC patients who underwent an immunosuppressive regimen without steroids after LT were enrolled in the steroid-free group. The preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes of these patients were compared with those of 132 HCC recipients who were placed on an immunosuppressive regimen using steroids (steroid group). The incidence of acute rejection, HBV recurrence, infection, and new-onset diabetes mellitus and the overall and tumor-free survival rates were compared between the two groups.

Results

Differences were not observed in the 1-year (83.3% vs 97.0%, p=0.067), 3-year (65.4% vs 75.8%, p=0.067) or 5-year (56.3% vs 70.7%, p=0.067) patient survival rates or in the 1-year (62.1% vs 72.7%, p=0.067), 3-year (49.8% vs 63.6%, p=0.067) or 5-year (48.6% vs 63.6%, p=0.067) tumor-free survival rates between the two groups, respectively. In the steroid-free group, the patients who fulfilled the Milan criteria had higher overall and tumor-free survival rates than those in the steroid group (p<0.001). The prevalence of HBV recurrence (3.0% vs 13.6%, p=0.02) was significantly lower in the steroid-free group compared with the steroid group.

Conclusions

After LT, an immunosuppressive regimen without steroids could be a safe and feasible treatment for HBV-related HCC patients, thus resulting in the reduction of HBV recurrence. Based on the observed survival rates, patients who fulfill the Milan criteria may derive benefits from steroid-free immunosuppression.

Emerging drugs for prevention of T-cell mediated rejection in liver and kidney transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Acute and chronic graft rejection continues to be an important problem after solid organ transplantation. With the introduction of potent immunosuppressive agents such as calcineurin inhibitors, the risk of rejection has been significantly reduced. However, the adverse effects of life-long immunosuppression remain a concern, and there exist a fine balance between over-immunosuppression and risk of rejection. Areas covered: In this review, the current standard of care in immunosuppressive therapy, including the use of steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, mycophenolate prodrugs and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, will be discussed. Newer immunosuppressive agents showing promising early data after liver and kidney transplantation will also be explored. Expert Opinion: Currently, calcineurin inhibitors continue to be a vital component of immunosuppressive therapy after solid organ transplantation. Although minimization and avoidance strategies have been developed, the ultimate goal of inducing tolerance remains elusive. Newer emerging agents should have potent and specific immunosuppressive activity, with minimal associated side effects. An individualized approach should be adopted to tailor immunosuppression according to the different needs of recipients.

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

Objective

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

Methods

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

Results

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

Conclusions

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

Optimization of immunosuppressive medication upon liver transplantation against HCC recurrence

The introduction of liver transplant listing criteria for hepatocellular cancer (HCC) has significantly improved oncological outcomes and survival. But despite this HCC recurrence is still problematic. There is emerging evidence that the choice of immunosuppression (IS) after transplant for HCC can influence oncological survival and HCC recurrence. The following is a short summary of what has been published on HCC recurrence with the different classes of immunosuppressive agents in present use, concluding with the possible rationalization of the use of these immunosuppressive agents in the post-transplant patient at high risk of recurrence.

Management of immunosuppressant agents following liver transplantation: Less is more

Immunosuppression in organ transplantation was revolutionary for its time, but technological and population changes cast new light on its use. First, metabolic syndrome (MS) is increasing as a public health issue, concomitantly increasing as an issue for post-orthotopic liver transplantation patients; yet the medications regularly used for immunosuppression contribute to dysfunctional metabolism. Current mainstay immunosuppression involves the use of calcineurin inhibitors; these are potent, but nonspecifically disrupt intracellular signaling in such a way as to exacerbate the impact of MS on the liver. Second, the impacts of acute cellular rejection and malignancy are reviewed in terms of their severity and possible interactions with immunosuppressive medications. Finally, immunosuppressive agents must be considered in terms of new developments in hepatitis C virus treatment, which undercut what used to be inevitable viral recurrence. Overall, while traditional immunosuppressive agents remain the most used, the specific side-effect profiles of all immunosuppressants must be weighed in light of the individual patient.

Rationale of personalized immunosuppressive medication for hepatocellular carcinoma patients after liver transplantation

Liver transplantation is the only potentially curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that is not eligible for surgical resection. However, disease recurrence is the main challenge to the success of this treatment. Immunosuppressants that are universally used after transplantation to prevent graft rejection could potentially have a significant impact on HCC recurrence. Nevertheless, current research is exclusively focused on mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, which are thought to be the only class of immunosuppressive agents that can reduce HCC recurrence. In fact, substantial evidence from the bench to the bedside indicates that other classes of immunosuppressants may also exert diverse effects; for example, inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitors potentially have antitumor effects. In this article, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential effects of different types of immunosuppressants on HCC recurrence and their mechanisms of action from both experimental and clinical perspectives. To ultimately improve the outcomes of HCC patients after transplantation, we propose a concept and approaches for developing personalized immunosuppressive medication to be used either as immunosuppression maintenance or during the prevention/treatment of HCC recurrence.

Allografts positive for hepatitis B surface antigen in liver transplant for disease related to hepatitis B virus

OBJECTIVES

Liver grafts from hepatitis B surface antigen-negative and anti-core antibody-positive donors are safe for liver transplant. However, the use of hepatitis B surface antigen-positive liver donors in liver transplants is controversial. We assessed the safety and effectiveness of liver transplants using hepatitis B surface antigen-positive liver grafts to patients with diseases related to hepatitis B virus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 23 patients who had a deceased-donor liver transplant using hepatitis B surface antigen-positive liver grafts. All patients had end-stage liver disease secondary to hepatitis B virus infection. Recipients had oral entecavir and intravenous or intramuscular injection of hepatitis B immune globulin for >1 year after the transplant.

RESULTS

Two patients died from severe perioperative pneumonia, and the other 21 patients were followed for 9 to 38 months after transplant. All 21 patients remained hepatitis B surface antigen-positive. A repeat liver transplant was performed in 1 patient at 5 months after the initial transplant because of biliary ischemia. There were 3 patients who died from recurrent liver cancer at 9, 14, and 18 months after transplant. There were 18 patients (78%) who survived and 17 grafts (74%) that survived.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver transplant using hepatitis B surface antigen-positive liver grafts is safe for patients with end-stage liver disease secondary to hepatitis B virus infection.

The impact of early corticosteroid withdrawal on graft survival in liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

There has been increased interest in recent years in reducing or eliminating steroids from the immunosuppression regimen of transplant recipients to reduce adverse effects associated with their use. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between early versus late steroid withdrawal after liver transplant to determine the optimal duration of steroid use in this population.

METHODS

This large-scale, retrospective analysis of liver transplants occurred at our institution between 2000 and 2009. Patients were excluded if they were <18 years old, received a multiorgan transplant, or remained on steroids for >1 year. The early steroid withdrawal group had steroids eliminated by 3 months posttransplant; late steroid withdrawal patients had steroids withdrawn between 3 and 12 months posttransplant.

RESULTS

A total of 586 liver transplants occurred during the study period; 330 patients were included in the analysis. Graft survival was significantly lower in the early steroid withdrawal group. There was no difference in patient survival or overall acute rejection. However, the late steroid withdrawal group had a significantly higher rate of early acute rejection episodes. There was no difference with regard to new-onset diabetes after transplant, hyperlipidemia, or cardiovascular events between groups.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that late corticosteroid withdrawal is associated with better long-term graft survival without increasing the rates of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or cardiovascular events in liver transplant recipients. A prospective study is warranted to confirm these findings.

Immunosuppressant-related hip pain after orthotopic liver transplant

OBJECTIVES

Immunosuppressant-related hip pain can greatly affect a patient's mobility and increase the number of total hip arthroplasties. We investigated risk factors and causes of hip pain after orthotopic liver transplant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of 175 adult orthotopic liver transplant patients, who were followed-up for more than 2 years, were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected from the records included primary disease, medications, biochemical results, Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, death, rejection, and complications related to liver transplant.

RESULTS

A total of 11 patients (6.3%) complained of hip pain, which was diagnosed as calcineurin-inhibitor-induced pain syndrome in 4 patients (2.3%), osteonecrosis of the femoral head in 3 patients (1.7%), and osteoporosis in 2 patients (1.1%). The incidence of calcineurin-inhibitor-induced pain syndrome was related to the dosage of tacrolimus (P > .05) but independent of methylprednisolone use. The occurrence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head was independent of the dosage and early withdrawal of methylprednisolone (P > .05). Patients with methylprednisolone withdrawal within 6 months had significantly longer survival than those using methylprednisolone for more than 6 months (50 ± 15 vs 41 ± 18 mo; P = .007).

CONCLUSIONS

Calcineurin-inhibitor-induced pain syndrome and osteonecrosis of the femoral head are main causes of hip pain in adult orthotopic liver transplant patients. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head was not common, but the incidence of hip pain owing to calcineurin-inhibitor-induced pain syndrome was relatively high in orthotopic liver transplant patients. Early withdrawal of methylprednisolone could benefit the patients' survival.

Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: an update

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous malignancy with multiple etiologies, high incidence, and high mortality. The standard surgical management for patients with HCC consists of locoregional ablation, surgical resection, or liver transplantation, depending on the background state of the liver. Eighty percent of patients initially presenting with HCC are unresectable, either due to the extent of tumor or the level of underlying hepatic dysfunction. While in patients with no evidence of cirrhosis and good hepatic function resection has been the surgical treatment of choice, it is contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe cirrhosis. Liver transplantation is the optimal surgical treatment.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed search of recent articles (from January 2000 to March 2011) was performed looking for relevant articles about hepatocellular carcinoma and its treatment. Additional articles were identified by evaluating references from selected articles.

RESULTS

Here we review criteria for transplantation, the types, indications, and role of locoregional therapy in treating the cancer and in downstaging for possible later transplantation. We also summarize the contribution of immunosuppression and adjuvant chemotherapy in the management and prevention of HCC recurrence. Finally we discuss recent advances in imaging, tumor biology, and genomics as we delineate the remaining challenges for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Much can be improved in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. A great challenge will be to improve patient selection to criteria based on tumor biology. Another will be to incorporate systemic agents post-operatively in patients at high risk for recurrence, paying close attention to efficacy and safety. The future direction of the effort in treating HCC will be to stimulate prospective trials, develop molecular imaging of lymphovascular invasion, to improve recipient selection, and to investigate biomarkers of tumor biology.