Relationship between thrombocytopenia and extrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma: a different perspective

Clinical Application of Different Liquid Biopsy Components in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer, usually occurring in the background of chronic liver disease. HCC lethality rate is in the third highest place in the world. Patients with HCC have concealed early symptoms and possess a high-level of heterogeneity. Once diagnosed, most of the tumors are in advanced stages and have a poor prognosis. The sensitivity and specificity of existing detection modalities and protocols are suboptimal. HCC calls for more sophisticated and individualized therapeutic regimens. Liquid biopsy is non-invasive, repeatable, unaffected by location, and can be monitored dynamically. It has emerged as a useable aid in achieving precision malignant tumor treatment. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating nucleic acids, exosomes and tumor-educated platelets are the commonest components of a liquid biopsy. It possesses the theoretical ability to conquer the high heterogeneity and the difficulty of early detection for HCC patients. In this review, we summarize the common enrichment techniques and the clinical applications in HCC for different liquid biopsy components. Tumor recurrence after HCC-related liver transplantation is more insidious and difficult to treat. The clinical use of liquid biopsy in HCC-related liver transplantation is also summarized in this review.

Efficacy of Liver Resection for Single Large Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Child-Pugh A Cirrhosis: Analysis of a Nationwide Cancer Registry Database

Background

Therapeutic strategies and good prognostic factors are important for patients with single large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This retrospective study aimed to identify the prognostic factors in patients with single large HCC with good performance status and Child-Pugh A cirrhosis using a large national cancer registry database and to recommend therapeutic strategies.

Methods

Among 12139 HCC patients registered at the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry between 2008 and 2015, single large (≥ 5 cm) HCC patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 and Child-Pugh score A were selected.

Results

Overall, 466 patients were analyzed. The 1-,2-,3-, and 5-year survival rates after initial treatment were 84.9%, 71.0%, 60.1%, and 51.6%, respectively, and progression-free survival rates were 43.6%, 33.0%, 29.0%, and 26.8%, respectively. Platelet count < 100 × 10⁹/L (P < 0.001), sodium level < 135 mmol/L (P = 0.002), maximum tumor diameter ≥ 10 cm (P = 0.001), and treatment other than resection (transarterial therapy vs. resection: P < 0.001, others vs. resection: P = 0.002) were significantly associated with poorer overall survival; sodium < 135 mmol/L (P = 0.015), maximum tumor diameter ≥ 10 cm (P < 0.001), and treatment other than resection (transarterial therapy vs. resection: P < 0.001, others vs. resection: P = 0.001) were independently associated with poorer progression-free survival.

Conclusion

Resection as an initial treatment should be considered when possible, even in patients with single large HCC with good performance status and mild cirrhosis. Caution should be exercised in patients with low platelet level (< 100 × 10⁹/L), low serum sodium level (< 135 mmol/L), and maximum tumor diameter ≥ 10 cm.

Thrombocytopenia and the outcomes of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Recently, increasing studies have revealed the association of inflammatory parameters, such as preoperative platelet count, and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the link between the platelet count and the prognosis of patients with HCC after hepatic resection is still controversial.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and CBM for relevant trials and analyzed outcomes with random-effects model. The hazard ratio (HR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

RESULTS

In total, 31 studies, including a total of 10,730 patients, met our criteria. The results showed that thrombocytopenia in HCC patients was associated with poor overall survival (HR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.21-1.78), disease-free survival (HR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08-1.72), and a high risk of cancer recurrence (HR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.22-1.62), but a low risk of extrahepatic metastasis (HR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.47-0.63).

CONCLUSIONS

The meta-analysis revealed that preoperative platelet count could act as a significant biomarker in the prognosis of HCC, especially a platelet count of <100 × 10³/mm³. Additional high-quality trials are needed, considering the low-quality studies analyzed.