1
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Faleiro MD, Mir ZM, Azizieh Y, Hiebert SE, Livingstone SM, Walsh MJ, Gala-Lopez BL. Oncologic Outcomes of Interventions to Decrease Allograft Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury within Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:2895-2906. [PMID: 38920705 PMCID: PMC11202749 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31060221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) during liver transplantation has been implicated in the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This systematic review aimed to evaluate interventions to reduce IRI during liver transplantation for HCC and their impact on oncologic outcomes. A comprehensive literature search retrieved four retrospective studies involving 938 HCC patients, utilising interventions such as post-operative prostaglandin administration, hypothermic machine perfusion, and normothermic machine perfusion. Overall, treated patients exhibited reduced post-operative hepatocellular injury and inflammation and significantly enhanced recurrence-free survival. Despite these promising results, the impact of these interventions on overall survival remains unclear. This underscores the imperative for further prospective research to comprehensively understand the efficacy of these interventions in HCC patients undergoing transplantation. The findings highlight the potential benefits of these strategies while emphasising the need for continued investigation into their overall impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus D. Faleiro
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Zuhaib M. Mir
- Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Yara Azizieh
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | | | | | - Mark J. Walsh
- Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Boris L. Gala-Lopez
- Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS B3H 0A2, Canada
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2
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Maspero M, Yilmaz S, Cazzaniga B, Raj R, Ali K, Mazzaferro V, Schlegel A. The role of ischaemia-reperfusion injury and liver regeneration in hepatic tumour recurrence. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100846. [PMID: 37771368 PMCID: PMC10523008 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The risk of cancer recurrence after liver surgery mainly depends on tumour biology, but preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that the degree of perioperative liver injury plays a role in creating a favourable microenvironment for tumour cell engraftment or proliferation of dormant micro-metastases. Understanding the contribution of perioperative liver injury to tumour recurrence is imperative, as these pathways are potentially actionable. In this review, we examine the key mechanisms of perioperative liver injury, which comprise mechanical handling and surgical stress, ischaemia-reperfusion injury, and parenchymal loss leading to liver regeneration. We explore how these processes can trigger downstream cascades leading to the activation of the immune system and the pro-inflammatory response, cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, anti-apoptotic signals, and release of circulating tumour cells. Finally, we discuss the novel therapies under investigation to decrease ischaemia-reperfusion injury and increase regeneration after liver surgery, including pharmaceutical agents, inflow modulation, and machine perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Maspero
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- General Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sumeyye Yilmaz
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Beatrice Cazzaniga
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Roma Raj
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Khaled Ali
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Vincenzo Mazzaferro
- General Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Schlegel
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Immunology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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3
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Rigo F, De Stefano N, Patrono D, De Donato V, Campi L, Turturica D, Doria T, Sciannameo V, Berchialla P, Tandoi F, Romagnoli R. Impact of Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence after Liver Transplantation. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13050703. [PMID: 37240873 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13050703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Machine perfusion may be able to mitigate ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), which increases hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT). This study aimed to investigate the impact of dual-hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (D-HOPE) on HCC recurrence in LT. METHODS A single-center retrospective study was conducted from 2016 to 2020. Pre- and postoperative data of HCC patients undergoing LT were analyzed. Recipients of a D-HOPE-treated graft were compared to those of livers preserved using static cold storage (SCS). The primary endpoint was recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS Of 326 patients, 246 received an SCS-preserved liver and 80 received a D-HOPE-treated graft (donation after brain death (DBD), n = 66; donation after circulatory death (DCD), n = 14). Donors of D-HOPE-treated grafts were older and had higher BMI. All DCD donors were treated by normothermic regional perfusion and D-HOPE. The groups were comparable in terms of HCC features and estimated 5-year RFS according to the Metroticket 2.0 model. D-HOPE did not reduce HCC recurrence (D-HOPE 10%; SCS 8.9%; p = 0.95), which was confirmed using Bayesian model averaging and inverse probability of treatment weighting-adjusted RFS analysis. Postoperative outcomes were comparable between groups, except for lower AST and ALT peak in the D-HOPE group. CONCLUSIONS In this single-center study, D-HOPE did not reduce HCC recurrence but allowed utilizing livers from extended criteria donors with comparable outcomes, improving access to LT for patients suffering from HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Rigo
- General Surgery 2U-Liver Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Nicola De Stefano
- General Surgery 2U-Liver Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Damiano Patrono
- General Surgery 2U-Liver Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Victor De Donato
- General Surgery 2U-Liver Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Ludovico Campi
- General Surgery 2U-Liver Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Diana Turturica
- General Surgery 2U-Liver Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Teresa Doria
- General Surgery 2U-Liver Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Veronica Sciannameo
- Centre for Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health (C-BEPH), Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Berchialla
- Centre for Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health (C-BEPH), Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Tandoi
- General Surgery 2U-Liver Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
- HPB and Liver Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Renato Romagnoli
- General Surgery 2U-Liver Transplant Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
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4
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Chen H, Lu D, Yang X, Hu Z, He C, Li H, Lin Z, Yang M, Xu X. One Shoot, Two Birds: Alleviating Inflammation Caused by Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury to Reduce the Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:879552. [PMID: 35634295 PMCID: PMC9130551 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.879552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is crucial to tumorigenesis and the development of metastasis. Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is an unresolved problem in liver resection and transplantation which often establishes and remodels the inflammatory microenvironment in liver. More and more experimental and clinical evidence unmasks the role of hepatic IRI and associated inflammation in promoting the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Meanwhile, approaches aimed at alleviating hepatic IRI, such as machine perfusion, regulating the gut-liver axis, and targeting key inflammatory components, have been proved to prevent HCC recurrence. This review article highlights the underlying mechanisms and promising therapeutic strategies to reduce tumor recurrence through alleviating inflammation induced by hepatic IRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Di Lu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhihang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chiyu He
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huigang Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zuyuan Lin
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Modan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
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5
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Orci LA, Combescure C, Fink M, Oldani G, Compagnon P, Andres A, Berney T, Toso C. Predicting recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation using a novel model that incorporates tumor and donor-related factors. Transpl Int 2021; 34:2875-2886. [PMID: 34784081 DOI: 10.1111/tri.14161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that liver graft quality impacts on posttransplant recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As of today, selection criteria only use variables related to tumor characteristics. Within the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we identified patients with HCC who underwent liver transplantation between 2004 and 2016 (development cohort, n = 10 887). Based on tumor recurrence rates, we fitted a competing-risk regression incorporating tumor- and donor-related factors, and we developed a prognostic score. Results were validated both internally and externally in the Australia and New Zealand Liver Transplant Registry. Total tumor diameter (subhazard ratio [sub-HR] 1.52 [1.28-1.81]), alpha-feto protein (sub-HR 1.27 [1.23-1.32], recipient male gender (sub-HR 1.43 [1.18-1.74]), elevated donor body mass index (sub-HR 1.26 [1.01-1.58]), and shared graft allocation policy (sub-HR 1.20 [1.01-1.43]) were independently associated with tumor recurrence. We next developed the Darlica score (sub-HR 2.72 [2.41-3.08] P < 0.001) that allows identifying risky combinations between a given donor and a given recipient. Results were validated internally (n = 3 629) and externally in the Australia and New Zealand Liver Transplant Registry (n = 370). The current score is based on variables that are readily available at the time of graft offer. It allows identifying hazardous donor-recipient combinations in terms of risk of tumor recurrence and overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo A Orci
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, Hepato-pancreato-biliary Centre, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael Fink
- Department of Surgery, Austin Health, Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Graziano Oldani
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, Hepato-pancreato-biliary Centre, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Compagnon
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, Hepato-pancreato-biliary Centre, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Axel Andres
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, Hepato-pancreato-biliary Centre, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thierry Berney
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, Hepato-pancreato-biliary Centre, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christian Toso
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, Hepato-pancreato-biliary Centre, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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6
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Liu H, Man K. New Insights in Mechanisms and Therapeutics for Short- and Long-Term Impacts of Hepatic Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Post Liver Transplantation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158210. [PMID: 34360975 PMCID: PMC8348697 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation has been identified as the most effective treatment for patients with end-stage liver diseases. However, hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is associated with poor graft function and poses a risk of adverse clinical outcomes post transplantation. Cell death, including apoptosis, necrosis, ferroptosis and pyroptosis, is induced during the acute phase of liver IRI. The release of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAPMs) and mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from the disturbance of metabolic homeostasis initiates graft inflammation. The inflammation in the short term exacerbates hepatic damage, leading to graft dysfunction and a higher incidence of acute rejection. The subsequent changes in the graft immune environment due to hepatic IRI may result in chronic rejection, cancer recurrence and fibrogenesis in the long term. In this review, we mainly focus on new mechanisms of inflammation initiated by immune activation related to metabolic alteration in the short term during liver IRI. The latest mechanisms of cancer recurrence and fibrogenesis due to the long-term impact of inflammation in hepatic IRI is also discussed. Furthermore, the development of therapeutic strategies, including ischemia preconditioning, pharmacological inhibitors and machine perfusion, for both attenuating acute inflammatory injury and preventing late-phase disease recurrence, will be summarized in the context of clinical, translational and basic research.
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7
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Methods of Attenuating Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158229. [PMID: 34360995 PMCID: PMC8347959 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent indications for liver transplantation. However, the transplantation is ultimately associated with the occurrence of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). It affects not only the function of the graft but also significantly worsens the oncological results. Various methods have been used so far to manage IRI. These include the non-invasive approach (pharmacotherapy) and more advanced options encompassing various types of liver conditioning and machine perfusion. Strategies aimed at shortening ischemic times and better organ allocation pathways are still under development as well. This article presents the mechanisms responsible for IRI, its impact on treatment outcomes, and strategies to mitigate it. An extensive review of the relevant literature using MEDLINE (PubMed) and Scopus databases until September 2020 was conducted. Only full-text articles written in English were included. The following search terms were used: “ischemia reperfusion injury”, “liver transplantation”, “hepatocellular carcinoma”, “preconditioning”, “machine perfusion”.
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8
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Mueller M, Kalisvaart M, O'Rourke J, Shetty S, Parente A, Muller X, Isaac J, Muellhaupt B, Muiesan P, Shah T, Clavien PA, Schlegel A, Dutkowski P. Hypothermic Oxygenated Liver Perfusion (HOPE) Prevents Tumor Recurrence in Liver Transplantation From Donation After Circulatory Death. Ann Surg 2020; 272:759-765. [PMID: 32889870 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000004258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with and without hypothermic oxygenated liver perfusion (HOPE) before transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed all liver recipients with HCC, transplanted between January 2012 and September 2019 with donation after circulatory death (DCD) livers after previous end-ischemic HOPE-treatment (n = 70, Center A). Tumor parameters and key confounders were compared to consecutive recipients with HCC, transplanted during the same observation period with an unperfused DBD liver (n = 70). In a next step, we analyzed unperfused DCD (n = 70) and DBD liver recipients (n = 70), transplanted for HCC at an external center (Center B). RESULTS Tumor parameters were not significantly different between HOPE-treated DCD and unperfused DBD liver recipients at Center A. One-third of patients were outside established tumor thresholds, for example, Milan criteria, in both groups. Despite no difference in tumor load, we found a 4-fold higher tumor recurrence rate in unperfused DBD livers (25.7%, 18/70), compared to only 5.7% (n = 4/70) recipients with tumor recurrence in the HOPE-treated DCD cohort (P = 0.002) in Center A. The tumor recurrence rate was also twice higher in unperfused DCD and DBD recipients at the external Center B, despite significant less cases outside Milan. HOPE-treatment of DCD livers resulted therefore in a 5-year tumor-free survival of 92% in HCC recipients, compared to 73%, 82.7%, and 81.2% in patients receiving unperfused DBD or DCD livers, from both centers. CONCLUSION We suggest that a simple machine liver perfusion approach appears advantageous to protect from HCC recurrence after liver transplantation, despite extended tumor criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Mueller
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Swiss HPB Center, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marit Kalisvaart
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Swiss HPB Center, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- The Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Joanne O'Rourke
- The Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Shishir Shetty
- The Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Alessandro Parente
- The Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Xavier Muller
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Swiss HPB Center, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - John Isaac
- The Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Beat Muellhaupt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Muiesan
- The Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tahir Shah
- The Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Pierre-Alain Clavien
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Swiss HPB Center, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Schlegel
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Swiss HPB Center, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- The Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Philipp Dutkowski
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Swiss HPB Center, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
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9
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Boteon Y, Flores Carvalho MA, Panconesi R, Muiesan P, Schlegel A. Preventing Tumour Recurrence after Liver Transplantation: The Role of Machine Perfusion. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5791. [PMID: 32806712 PMCID: PMC7460879 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour recurrence is currently a hot topic in liver transplantation. The basic mechanisms are increasingly discussed, and, for example, recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma is often described in pre-injured donor livers, which frequently suffer from significant ischemia/reperfusion injury. This review article highlights the underlying mechanisms and describes the specific tissue milieu required to promote tumour recurrence after liver transplantation. We summarise the current literature in this field and show risk factors that contribute to a pro-tumour-recurrent environment. Finally, the potential role of new machine perfusion technology is discussed, including the most recent data, which demonstrate a protective effect of hypothermic oxygenated perfusion before liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Boteon
- Liver Unit, Albert Einstein Hospital, 05652–900 São Paulo, Brazil;
- Albert Einstein Jewish Institute for Education and Research, 05652–900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Alfredo Flores Carvalho
- Hepatobiliary Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.A.F.C.); (R.P.); (P.M.)
| | - Rebecca Panconesi
- Hepatobiliary Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.A.F.C.); (R.P.); (P.M.)
| | - Paolo Muiesan
- Hepatobiliary Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.A.F.C.); (R.P.); (P.M.)
- The Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Andrea Schlegel
- Hepatobiliary Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.A.F.C.); (R.P.); (P.M.)
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10
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Matsushima H, Acevedo-Moreno LA, Sasaki K, Fujiki M, Kwon CHD, Uso TD, D'Amico G, Aucejo F, Eghtesad B, Miller C, Quintini C, Hashimoto K. Does graft hemodynamics affect the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplantation? Clin Transplant 2020; 34:e14004. [PMID: 32515016 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although experimental studies have reported that hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury promotes tumor growth and metastases, the impact of graft hemodynamics on the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation (LT) is unclear. To investigate the association between graft hemodynamics and HCC recurrence after LT, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 279 patients who underwent LT for HCC. Graft hemodynamics including portal vein flow (PVF), hepatic artery flow (HAF), and total hepatic flow (THF) was analyzed as a predictor of HCC recurrence, using competing risk regression analyses. The cutoff values of PVF, HAF, and THF were set at the lower quartile of distribution. A cumulative recurrence curve demonstrated that low THF (<1511 mL/min, P = .005) was significantly associated with increased recurrence, whereas neither low PVF (<1230 mL/min, P = .150) nor low HAF (<164 mL/min, P = .110) was significant. On multivariate analysis, outside Milan criteria (sub-hazard ratio [SHR] = 3.742; P < .001), microvascular invasion (SHR = 3.698; P < .001), and low THF (SHR = 2.359; P = .010) were independently associated with increased HCC recurrence. In conclusion, our findings suggest that graft hemodynamics may play an important role in HCC recurrence after LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Matsushima
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lou-Anne Acevedo-Moreno
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kazunari Sasaki
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Masato Fujiki
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Choon Hyuck David Kwon
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Teresa Diago Uso
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Giuseppe D'Amico
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Federico Aucejo
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Bijan Eghtesad
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Charles Miller
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Cristiano Quintini
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Koji Hashimoto
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Yang F, Zhang Y, Ren H, Wang J, Shang L, Liu Y, Zhu W, Shi X. Ischemia reperfusion injury promotes recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in fatty liver via ALOX12-12HETE-GPR31 signaling axis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:489. [PMID: 31831037 PMCID: PMC6909624 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1480-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) has been shown to increase the risk of tumor recurrence after liver surgery. Also, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with increased HCC recurrence. ALOX12-12-HETE pathway is activated both in liver IRI and NASH. Also, ALOX12-12-HETE has been shown to mediate tumorigenesis and progression. Therefore, our study aims to investigate whether the ALOX12-12-HETE-GPR31 pathway involved in IRI induced HCC recurrence in NAFLD. METHODS HCC mouse model was used to mimic the HCC recurrence in NAFLD. Western Blot, qPCR, Elisa and Immunofluorescence analysis were conducted to evaluate the changes of multiple signaling pathways during HCC recurrence, including ALOX12-12-HETE axis, EMT, MMPs and PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. We also measured the expression and functional changes of GPR31 by siRNA. RESULTS ALOX12-12-HETE pathway was activated in liver IRI and its activation was further enhanced in NAFLD, which induced more severe HCC recurrence in fatty livers than normal livers. Inhibition of ALOX12-12-HETE by ML355 reduced the HCC recurrence in fatty livers. In vitro studies showed that 12-HETE increased the expression of GPR31 and induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and matrix metalloprotein (MMPs) by activating PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, knockdown of GPR31 in cancer cells inhibited the HCC recurrence in NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS ALOX12-12-HETE-GPR31 played an important role in HCC recurrence and might be a potential therapeutic target to reduce HCC recurrence after surgery in fatty livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faji Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321, Zhongshan Road, 210008 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuheng Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321, Zhongshan Road, 210008 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haozhen Ren
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321, Zhongshan Road, 210008 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321, Zhongshan Road, 210008 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Longcheng Shang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321, Zhongshan Road, 210008 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321, Zhongshan Road, 210008 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321, Zhongshan Road, 210008 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Xiaolei Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321, Zhongshan Road, 210008 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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12
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Extremes of Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8060787. [PMID: 31163668 PMCID: PMC6616997 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8060787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this retrospective observational study was to evaluate outcomes of patients with extremely advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation. A total of 285 HCC patients after liver transplantation were screened for eligibility based on either intrahepatic dissemination (≥10 tumors) or macrovascular invasion. Tumor recurrence was the primary end-point. The study cohort comprised 26 patients. Median recurrence-free survival was 23.2 months with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (p = 0.038), higher AFP model score (p = 0.001), prolonged graft ischemia (p = 0.004), and younger donor age (p = 0.016) being significant risk factors. Median recurrence-free survival of HBV-negative and HBV-positive patients was 29.8 and 9.3 months, respectively (p = 0.053). In patients with macrovascular invasion, recurrence-free survival at 3 years was 46.3% with no specific predictors. Tumor size (p = 0.044), higher AFP model score (p = 0.019), prolonged graft ischemia (p = 0.016), and younger donor age (p = 0.041) were significant risk factors in patients with intrahepatic dissemination. Superior 3-year outcomes were observed in patients with intrahepatic dissemination and tumor size <3.5 cm (83.3%, p = 0.027) and HBV-negative patients with ischemia <9.7 h (85.7%, p = 0.028). In conclusion, patients with extremely advanced HCCs are remarkably heterogeneous with respect to their profile of tumor recurrence risk. This heterogeneity is largely driven by factors other than standard predictors of post-transplant HCC recurrence.
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Ischemia-reperfusion injury and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after deceased donor liver transplantation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8935. [PMID: 29895820 PMCID: PMC5997656 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27319-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplantation. Data of 195 patients were retrospectively analysed. Post-reperfusion aspartate (AST), alanine transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were the primary measures of IRI. Tumour recurrence was the primary endpoint. Post-reperfusion AST was a continuous risk factor for tumour recurrence in patients within Milan criteria (p = 0.035), with an optimal cut-off of 1896 U/L. Recurrence-free survival of patients within Milan criteria and post-reperfusion AST of <1896 and ≥1896 U/L was 96.6% and 71.9% at 5 and 3.7 years, respectively (p = 0.006). Additionally, post-reperfusion AST and LDH exceeding the upper quartile significantly increased the risk of HCC recurrence in patients within Milan criteria (p = 0.039, hazard ratio [HR] = 5.99 and p = 0.040, HR = 6.08, respectively) and to a lesser extent, in patients within Up-to-7 criteria (p = 0.028, HR = 3.58 and p = 0.039, HR = 3.33, respectively). No other significant IRI effects were found in patients beyond the Up-to-7 criteria and in analyses stratified for independent risk factors for recurrence: tumour number and differentiation, alpha-fetoprotein, and microvascular invasion. Thus, IRI exerts major negative effects on the risk of HCC recurrence after liver transplantation in patients within standard and extended criteria.
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Orci LA, Lacotte S, Delaune V, Slits F, Oldani G, Lazarevic V, Rossetti C, Rubbia-Brandt L, Morel P, Toso C. Effects of the gut-liver axis on ischaemia-mediated hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in the mouse liver. J Hepatol 2018; 68:978-985. [PMID: 29331341 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS There is growing evidence that liver graft ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence, but the mechanisms involved are unclear. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that mesenteric congestion resulting from portal blood flow interruption induces endotoxin-mediated Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) engagement, resulting in elevated liver cancer burden. We also assessed the role of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in this context. METHODS C57Bl/6j mice were exposed to standardized models of liver I/R injury and RIPC, induced by occluding the hepatic and femoral blood vessels. HCC was induced by injecting RIL-175 cells into the portal vein. We further evaluated the impact of the gut-liver axis (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Tlr4 pathway) in this context by studying mice with enhanced (lipopolysaccharide infusion) or defective (Tlr4-/- mice, gut sterilization, and Tlr4 antagonist) Tlr4 responses. RESULTS Portal triad clamping provoked upstream mesenteric venous engorgement and increased bacterial translocation, resulting in aggravated tumor burden. RIPC prevented this mechanism by preserving intestinal integrity and reducing bacterial translocation, thereby mitigating HCC recurrence. These observations were linked to the LPS-Tlr4 pathway, as supported by the high and low tumor burden displayed by mice with enhanced or defective Tlr4 responses, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Modulation of the gut-liver axis and the LPS-Tlr4 response by RIPC, gut sterilization, and Tlr4 antagonism represents a potential therapeutic target to prevent I/R lesions, and to alleviate HCC recurrence after liver transplantation and resection. LAY SUMMARY Cancer recurrence can occur after liver resection or liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study suggests that intestinal venous congestion, which often occurs during liver surgery, favors the translocation of gut-derived bacterial products in the portal vein, thereby facilitating cancer recurrence by enhancing the signaling of Toll-like receptor 4 in the liver. Using a mouse model of HCC recurrence, we show that strategies that (i) reduce bacterial translocation (by gut decontamination, or by protecting the intestine from venous ischemia damage) or (ii) inhibit Tlr4 signaling in the liver, could reduce cancer recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo A Orci
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Centre, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Stéphanie Lacotte
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vaihere Delaune
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Centre, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Florence Slits
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Graziano Oldani
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Centre, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vladimir Lazarevic
- Genomic Research Laboratory, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Rossetti
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Laura Rubbia-Brandt
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Centre, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Morel
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Centre, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christian Toso
- Division of Abdominal and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Centre, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Ling Q, Liu J, Zhuo J, Zhuang R, Huang H, He X, Xu X, Zheng S. Development of models to predict early post-transplant recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma that also integrate the quality and characteristics of the liver graft: A national registry study in China. Surgery 2018; 164:S0039-6060(18)30079-5. [PMID: 29709370 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2018.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Donor characteristics and graft quality were recently reported to play an important role in the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation. Our aim was to establish a prognostic model by using both donor and recipient variables. METHODS Data of 1,010 adult patients (training/validation: 2/1) undergoing primary liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma were extracted from the China Liver Transplant Registry database and analyzed retrospectively. A multivariate competing risk regression model was developed and used to generate a nomogram predicting the likelihood of post-transplant hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence. RESULTS Of 673 patients in the training cohort, 70 (10.4%) had hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence with a median recurrence time of 6 months (interquartile range: 4-25 months). Cold ischemia time was the only independent donor prognostic factor for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence (hazard ratio = 2.234, P = .007). The optimal cutoff value was 12 hours when patients were grouped according to cold ischemia time at 2-hour intervals. Integrating cold ischemia time into the Milan criteria (liver transplantation candidate selection criteria) improved the accuracy for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in both training and validation sets (P < .05). A nomogram composed of cold ischemia time, tumor burden, differentiation, and α-fetoprotein level proved to be accurate and reliable in predicting the likelihood of 1-year hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplantation. Additionally, donor anti-hepatitis B core antibody positivity, prolonged cold ischemia time, and anhepatic time were linked to the intrahepatic recurrence, whereas older donor age, prolonged donor warm ischemia time, cold ischemia time, and ABO incompatibility were relevant to the extrahepatic recurrence. CONCLUSION The graft quality integrated models exhibited considerable predictive accuracy in early hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence risk assessment. The identification of donor risks can further help understand the mechanism of different patterns of recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Ling
- Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Lab of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, China
| | - Jimin Liu
- Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jianyong Zhuo
- Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Runzhou Zhuang
- Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haitao Huang
- Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | | | - Xiao Xu
- Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Lab of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, China; China Liver Transplant Registry, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Lab of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, China; China Liver Transplant Registry, Hangzhou, China.
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Abstract
Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for selected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. However, cancer recurrence, posttransplantation, remains to be the critical issue that affects the long-term outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma recipients. In addition to tumor biology itself, increasing evidence demonstrates that acute-phase liver graft injury is a result of hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (which is an inevitable consequence during liver transplantation) and may promote cancer recurrence at late phase posttransplantation. The liver grafts from living donors, donors after cardiac death, and steatotic donors have been considered as promising sources of organs for liver transplantation and are associated with high incidence of liver graft injury. The acute-phase liver graft injury will trigger a series of inflammatory cascades, which may not only activate the cell signaling pathways regulating the tumor cell invasion and migration but also mobilize the circulating progenitor and immune cells to facilitate tumor recurrence and metastasis. The injured liver graft may also provide the favorable microenvironment for tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion through the disturbance of microcirculatory barrier function, induction of hypoxia and angiogenesis. This review aims to summarize the latest findings about the role and mechanisms of liver graft injury resulted from hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury on tumor recurrence posttransplantation, both in clinical and animal cohorts.
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