Tumour growth after portal vein embolization with pre-procedural chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases

Extended Right Hepatectomy following Clearance of the Left Liver Lobe and Portal Vein Embolization for Curatively Intended Treatment of Extensive Bilobar Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Single-Center Case Series

BACKGROUND

Two-staged hepatectomy (TSH) including portal vein embolization (PVE) may offer surgical treatment for extensive bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and outcomes of extended right hepatectomy (ERH) within TSH including PVE for patients with extended CRLM.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data of patients who underwent TSH for extended CRLM between 2015 and 2021 at our institution. Clearance of the left liver lobe (clear-up, CU) associated with PVE was followed by ERH.

RESULTS

Minimally invasive (n = 12, 46%, MIH) or open hepatectomy (n = 14, 54%, OH) was performed. Postoperative major morbidity and 90-day mortality were 54% and 0%. Three-year overall survival was 95%. Baseline characteristics, postoperative and long-term outcomes were comparable between MIH and OH. However, hospital stay was significantly shorter after MIH (8 vs. 15 days, p = 0.008). Additionally, the need for intraoperative transfusions tended to be lower in the MIH group (17% vs. 50%, p = 0.110).

CONCLUSIONS

ERH following CU and PVE for extended CRLM is feasible and safe in laparoscopic and open approaches. MIH for ERH may result in shorter postoperative hospital stays. Further high-volume, multicenter studies are required to evaluate the potential superiority of MIH.

Impact of rapid hypertrophy of tourniquet associating liver partition and portal vein ligation in the tumor progression pathways compared to two stage hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

It is not known if the inflammatory phenomena related to highly accelerated regeneration activate any signaling pathways that are associated with a major stimulus to colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) disease in tourniquet associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (T-ALPPS) compared to two stage hepatectomy (TSH).

METHODS

Between January 2012 and April 2018, we prospectively performed biopsies from future liver remnant and deportalized lobe in CRLM patients undergoing T-ALPPS in both stages. Immunohistopathological analysis was performed on the above tissue samples and compared to biopsy samples from patients who underwent TSH for CRLM at our center between September 2000 and August 2011.

RESULTS

A total of 42 patients (20 TSH and 22 T-ALPPS) were included. There were no differences in the rates of recurrence, overall survival or any of the factors analyzed relating to tumor progression between stages 1 and 2. Regarding the anti-tumor effect, there was a significant reduction in the number of T-CD8 infiltrates in the second stage of TSH (12.5 vs. 5.5, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that liver regeneration with T-ALPPS does not induce higher tumor progression or significant immunological changes in the tumor environment when compared to classical TSH.

Imaging-guided interventions modulating portal venous flow: evidence and controversies

Portal hypertension is defined by an increase in the portosystemic venous gradient. In most cases, increased resistance to portal blood flow is the initial cause of elevated portal pressure. More than 90% of cases of portal hypertension are estimated to be due to advanced chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts, a non-pharmacological treatment for portal hypertension, involve the placement of a stent between the portal vein and the hepatic vein or inferior vena cava which helps bypass hepatic resistance. Portal hypertension may also be a result of extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis or compression. In these cases, percutaneous portal vein recanalisation restores portal trunk patency, thus preventing portal hypertension-related complications. Any portal blood flow impairment leads to progressive parenchymal atrophy and triggers hepatic regeneration in preserved areas. This provides the rationale for using portal vein embolisation to modulate hepatic volume in preparation for extended hepatic resection. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive evidence-based review of the rationale for, and outcomes associated with, the main imaging-guided interventions targeting the portal vein, as well as to discuss the main controversies around such approaches.

Postoperative liver regeneration does not elicit recurrence of colorectal cancer liver metastases after major hepatectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Recurrence is a frequent concern in curatively resected CRC liver metastases. Translational research suggests that regeneration upon hepatectomy may also alleviate metastatic recurrence; however, the significance in patients is unclear. We therefore sought to study the effect of liver regeneration on tumor recurrence in patients.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we included 58 out of 186 potentially eligible patients from our prospectively maintained database of CRC liver metastasis patients between 2001 and 2012 with a median follow-up of 42 months who underwent a formal right or left hemihepatectomy. Liver regeneration in CT volumetry was correlated with recurrence of CRC liver metastases and overall survival.

RESULTS

Liver regeneration increased up to 14 months to 21.0% for left and 122.6% for right hemihepatectomy, respectively, with comparable final volumes. Regeneration was independent of initial tumor stage, number of metastases, and preoperative chemotherapy. Patients with lower liver regeneration showed earlier recurrence of CRC liver metastases (p = 0.006). Overall survival did not differ in patients with weak versus strong liver regeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

The extent of liver regeneration after major hepatectomy does not impede overall survival. Therefore, our data encourage aggressive therapeutical regimes for CRC liver metastases involving major hepatectomies as part of a curative approach.

Future Liver Remnant Hypertrophy after Portal Vein Embolization Is Inversely Correlated with Intrahepatic Tumor Burden

PURPOSE

To determine if there is a correlation between intrahepatic tumor volume and future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy after portal vein embolization (PVE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-four consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic colorectal cancer who underwent PVE from 2009 to 2017 and who had complete imaging follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. To maximize the accuracy of tumor volume measurements, 11 patients were excluded for having more than 5 intrahepatic tumors. Volumetric analyses of the patient livers before and after PVE, as well as pre-embolization intrahepatic tumor burden, were performed.

RESULTS

A significant inverse correlation was observed between tumor volume and FLR hypertrophy after PVE (Spearman ρ = -0.53, P = .002). Initial FLR volume was also inversely correlated with subsequent hypertrophy (P = .01). Fourteen patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy 1 month prior to intervention. The number of chemotherapy cycles did not affect hypertrophy (P = .57). Patients with cirrhosis experienced less FLR hypertrophy than patients without cirrhosis (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with large intrahepatic tumor burden may experience limited FLR hypertrophy.

Future liver remnant growth after various portal vein embolization regimens: a quantitative comparison

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of right portal vein embolization using ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH-PVE) compared to other embolic agents and surgical right portal vein ligation (PVL).Material and methods: Patients with right sided liver malignancies scheduled for extensive surgery and receiving induction of liver hypertrophy via right portal vein embolization/ligature between 2010-2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Treatments included were ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx®, EVOH-PVE), ethiodized oil (Lipiodol^®, Lipiodol/PVA-PVE), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA-PVE) or surgical ligature (PVL). Liver segments S2/3 were used to assess hypertrophy. Primary outcome was future liver remnant growth in ml/day.Results: Forty-one patients were included (EVOH-PVE n = 11; Lipiodol/PVA-PVE n = 10; PVA-PVE n = 8; PVL n = 12), the majority presenting with cholangiocarcinoma and colorectal metastases (n = 11; n = 27). Pre-interventional liver volumes were comparable (p = .095). Liver hypertrophy was successfully induced in all but one patient receiving Lipiodol/PVA-PVE. Liver segment S2/3 growth was largest for EVOH-PVE (5.38 ml/d) followed by PVA-PVE (2.5 ml/d), with significantly higher growth rates than PVL (1.24 ml/d; p < .001; p = .007). No significant difference was evident for Lipiodol/PVA-PVE (1.43 ml/d, p = .809).Conclusions: Portal vein embolization using EVOH demonstrates fastest S2/3 growth rates compared to other embolic agents and PVL, potentially due to its permanent portal vein embolization and induction of hepatic inflammation.

Impact of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) on growth of colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy induces an unprecedented liver hypertrophy and enables resection of otherwise unresectable liver tumors. The effect of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy on tumor proliferation, however, remains a concern. This study investigated the impact of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy on growth of colorectal metastases in mice and in humans.

METHODS

The effect of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy and 90% portal vein ligation on colorectal liver and lung metastases was investigated in mice. In vivo tumor progression was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, histology, and survival experiments. The effects of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy, portal vein ligation, and control sera on cultures of several colorectal cancer cell lines (MC38 and CT26) were tested in vitro. Additionally, the international associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy registry enabled us to identify patients with remaining tumor in the future liver remnant after associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy stage 1.

RESULTS

Two and 3 weeks after associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy stage 1, portal vein ligation, or sham surgery, liver magnetic resonance images showed similar numbers (P=.14/0.82), sizes (P=.45/0.98), and growth kinetics (P=.58/0.68) of intrahepatic tumor. Tumor growth was not different between the associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy and portal vein ligation groups after completion of stage 2. Median survival after tumor cell injection was similar after sham surgery (36 days; 95% confidence interval; 27-57 days), completion of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (42 days; 95% confidence interval; 35-49 days), and portal vein ligation (39 days; 95% confidence interval; 34-43 days, P=.237). Progression of pulmonary metastases and in vitro cell proliferation were comparable among groups. Observations in humans failed to identify any accelerated tumor growth in the future liver remnant within the regenerative phase after associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy stage 1.

CONCLUSION

The accelerated regeneration process associated with associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy does not appear to enhance growth of colorectal metastases.

The paradigm of tumor shrinkage and rapid liver remnant hypertrophy for conversion of initially unresectable colorectal liver metastasis: a case report and literature review

Background

For colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) patients, hepatic resection is currently the sole cure offering the chance of long-term survival. Tumor shrinkage and planned liver remnant hypertrophy are the two key strategies for conversion of initially unresectable CRLM. First conducted in 2012, associated liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) allows rapid liver growth. As a means to induce hypertrophy, portal vein embolization (PVE) has been widely applied before extending hepatectomy. Recently, Peng et al. present a new approach of terminal branches portal vein embolization (TBPVE), offering an efficient way to amplify FLR and making chances for surgery in 2 weeks.

Case presentation

We reported a 61-year-old woman with synchronous hepatic metastasized carcinoma of the colon sigmoideum underwent TBPVE after 6 cycles of neoadjuvant therapy in order to perform a planned right trisectionectomy. Rapid liver remnant hypertrophy and remarkable tumor shrinkage were achieved, and laparoscopic sigmoidectomy and right trisectionectomy were successfully performed. The postsurgical course was uneventful and 7 months of recurrence-free survival have been witnessed.

Conclusions

The dual tactics of tumor shrinkage and planned rapid liver remnant hypertrophy will make concerted efforts to further increase the clinical candidacy for curative resection, which are valuable for further investigation.

Extreme liver resections with preservation of segment 4 only

AIM

To evaluate safety and outcomes of a new technique for extreme hepatic resections with preservation of segment 4 only.

METHODS

The new method of extreme liver resection consists of a two-stage hepatectomy. The first stage involves a right hepatectomy with middle hepatic vein preservation and induction of left lobe congestion; the second stage involves a left lobectomy. Thus, the remnant liver is represented by the segment 4 only (with or without segment 1, ± S1). Five patients underwent the new two-stage hepatectomy (congestion group). Data from volumetric assessment made before the second stage was compared with that of 10 matched patients (comparison group) that underwent a single-stage right hepatectomy with middle hepatic vein preservation.

RESULTS

The two stages of the procedure were successfully carried out on all 5 patients. For the congestion group, the overall volume of the left hemiliver had increased 103% (mean increase from 438 mL to 890 mL) at 4 wk after the first stage of the procedure. Hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (i.e., segment 4 ± S1) was higher than that of segments 2 and 3 (144% vs 54%, respectively, P < 0.05). The median remnant liver volume-to-body weight ratio was 0.3 (range, 0.28-0.40) before the first stage and 0.8 (range, 0.45-0.97) before the second stage. For the comparison group, the rate of hypertrophy of the left liver after right hepatectomy with middle hepatic vein preservation was 116% ± 34%. Hypertrophy rates of segments 2 and 3 (123% ± 47%) and of segment 4 (108% ± 60%, P > 0.05) were proportional. The mean preoperative volume of segments 2 and 3 was 256 ± 64 cc and increased to 572 ± 257 cc after right hepatectomy. Mean preoperative volume of segment 4 increased from 211 ± 75 cc to 439 ± 180 cc after surgery.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method for extreme hepatectomy with preservation of segment 4 only represents a technique that could allow complete resection of multiple bilateral liver metastases.

[Portal vein embolization: Present and future]

Portal vein embolization consists of occluding a part of the portal venous system in order to achieve the hypertrophy of the non-embolized liver segments. This technique is used during the preoperative period of major liver resection when the future remnant liver (FRL) volume is insufficient, exposing to postoperative liver failure, main cause of death after major hepatectomy. Portal vein embolization indication depends on the FRL, commonly assessed by its volume. Nowadays, FRL function evaluation seems more relevant and can be measured by 99mTc labelled mebrofenin scintigraphy. Portal vein embolization procedure is mostly performed with percutaneous trans-hepatic access by using ultrasonography guidance and consists of embolic agent injection, such as cyanoacrylate, in the targeted portal vein branches with fluoroscopic guidance. It is a safe and well-tolerated technique, with extremely low morbi-mortality. Portal vein embolization leads to sufficient FRL hypertrophy in about 80% of patients, allowing them to undergo surgery from which they were initially rejected. The two main reasons of non-resection are tumor progression (≈15% of cases) and FRL insufficient hypertrophy (≈5% of cases). When portal vein embolization is not enough to obtain adequate FRL regeneration, hepatic vein embolization may potentiate its effect (liver venous deprivation technique).

Portal vein embolization for induction of selective hepatic hypertrophy prior to major hepatectomy: rationale, techniques, outcomes and future directions

The ability to modulate the future liver remnant (FLR) is a key component of modern oncologic hepatobiliary surgery practice and has extended surgical candidacy for patients who may have been previously thought unable to survive liver resection. Multiple techniques have been developed to augment the FLR including portal vein embolization (PVE), associating liver partition and portal vein ligation (ALPPS), and the recently reported transhepatic liver venous deprivation (LVD). PVE is a well-established means to improve the safety of liver resection by redirecting blood flow to the FLR in an effort to selectively hypertrophy and ultimately improve functional reserve of the FLR. This article discusses the current practice of PVE with focus on summarizing the large number of published reports from which outcomes based practices have been developed. Both technical aspects of PVE including volumetry, approaches, and embolization agents; and clinical aspects of PVE including data supporting indications, and its role in conjunction with chemotherapy and transarterial embolization will be highlighted. PVE remains an important aspect of oncologic care; in large part due to the substantial foundation of information available demonstrating its clear clinical benefit for hepatic resection candidates with small anticipated FLRs.

Disappearing liver metastases from colorectal cancer: impact of modern imaging modalities

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy is often used before a resection for colorectal liver metastases. After chemotherapy, metastases may disappear on cross-sectional imaging but residual metastatic disease may still exist. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the impact of new advancements in imaging technology such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with liver-specific contrast (Gd-EOB-DTPA) and contrast-enhanced intra-operative ultrasound (CE-IOUS) on disappearing liver metastases (DLM).

METHODS

Twenty-nine patients with one or more DLM undergoing surgical exploration were included. Pre-operative imaging consisted of contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and/or MRI with liver-specific contrast. At surgery, CE-IOUS was used when tumours known from pre-chemotherapy imaging were not found by inspection or intra-operative ultrasound.

RESULTS

Patients presented 66 DLM. At surgical exploration, 42 DLM were identified and treated (64%). CE-IOUS detected one additional DLM not found by intra-operative ultrasound. For metastases ≤10 mm on histological analysis, imaging sensitivities for MRI and MDCT before surgery but after chemotherapy were 26/49 (53%) and 24/66 (36%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

A majority of DLM are identified during surgery using intra-operative ultrasound, with only little additional value of CE-IOUS. The sensitivities of post-chemotherapy imaging modalities for small metastases are low in the setting of DLM. For surgical planning, an optimized pre-chemotherapy imaging is essential.