1
|
Singal AG, Yarchoan M, Yopp A, Sapisochin G, Pinato DJ, Pillai A. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant systemic therapy in HCC: Current status and the future. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0430. [PMID: 38829199 PMCID: PMC11150030 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Surgical therapies in patients with early-stage HCC can afford long-term survival but are often limited by the continued risk of recurrence, underscoring an interest in (neo)adjuvant strategies. Prior attempts at adjuvant therapy using tyrosine kinase inhibitors failed to yield significant improvements in recurrence-free survival or overall survival. Advances in the efficacy of systemic therapy options, including the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors, have fueled renewed interest in this area. Indeed, the IMBrave050 trial recently demonstrated significant improvements in recurrence-free survival with 1 year of adjuvant atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in high-risk patients undergoing surgical resection or ablation, with several other ongoing trials in this space. There is a strong rationale for consideration of the administration of these therapies in the neoadjuvant setting, supported by early clinical data demonstrating high rates of objective responses, although larger trials examining downstream outcomes are necessary, particularly considering the possible risks of this strategy. In parallel, there has been increased interest in using systemic therapies as a bridging or downstaging strategy for liver transplantation. Current data suggest the short-term safety of this approach, with acceptable rates of rejection, so immunotherapy is not considered a contraindication to transplant; however, larger studies are needed to evaluate the incremental value of this approach over locoregional therapy. Conversely, the use of immunotherapy is currently discouraged after liver transplantation, given the high risk of graft rejection and death. The increasing complexity of HCC management and increased consideration of (neo)adjuvant strategies highlight the critical role of multidisciplinary care when making these decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amit G. Singal
- Department of Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Mark Yarchoan
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adam Yopp
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Gonzalo Sapisochin
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David J. Pinato
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, UK
- Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Anjana Pillai
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tabrizian P, Zeitlhoefler M, Hassan AT, Marino R. Immunotherapy for transplantation of hepatocellular carcinoma: the next frontier in adjunctive therapy. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2024; 29:144-154. [PMID: 38164882 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000001133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The increasing success of liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) drives an ever-evolving search for innovative strategies to broaden eligible patients' pools. Recent advances in immuno-oncology have turned the spotlight on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This review offers an updated overview of ICIs in liver transplantation for HCC, exploring neoadjuvant and adjuvant approaches and addressing unanswered questions on safety, patients' selection, and response predictors. RECENT FINDINGS ICIs have transitioned from being a last-chance therapeutic hope to becoming an integral cornerstone in the treatment of advanced HCC, holding great promise as a compelling option not only to downstage patients for transplantation but also as an alternative strategy in addressing posttransplantation disease recurrence. Despite ongoing refinements in immunotherapeutic agents, the complex molecular pathways involved emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to integrate immunotherapy in liver transplantation. SUMMARY Initial concerns about graft rejection, with ICIs as a bridging therapy to liver transplantation, were successfully addressed using adequate immunosuppressants strategies and minimized with a sufficient washout period. Post-liver transplantation disease recurrence remains challenging, requiring a balance between effective therapy and preserving graft function. Emphasis should be placed on clinical trials validating the risk-benefit ratio of ICIs for liver transplantation, guiding appropriate patients' selection, and establishing clear management pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parissa Tabrizian
- Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Recanati-Miller Transplantation Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rohland O, Freye L, Schwenk L, Ali-Deeb A, Ardelt M, Bauschke A, Settmacher U, Rauchfuß F, Dondorf F. Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma beyond the Milan Criteria: A Specific Role for Living Donor Liver Transplantation after Neoadjuvant Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:920. [PMID: 38473282 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050920] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was designed to elucidate the various new classifications and the use of LDLT and bridging therapy for HCC in this context beyond the Milan criteria (MC). METHODS The clinical data of patients with HCC outside the MC who underwent LT at Jena University between January 2007 and August 2023 were retrospectively analysed. Eligible patients were classified according to various classification systems. Clinicopathological features, overall and disease-free survival rates were compared between LT and LDLT within the context of bridging therapy. THE RESULTS Among the 245 patients analysed, 120 patients did not meet the MC, and 125 patients met the MC. Moreover, there were comparable overall survival rates between patients outside the MC for LT versus LDLT (OS 44.3 months vs. 28.3 months; 5-year survival, 56.4% vs. 40%; p = 0.84). G3 tumour differentiation, the presence of angioinvasion and lack of bridging were statistically significant risk factors for tumour recurrence according to univariate and multivariate analyses (HR 6.34; p = 0.0002; HR 8.21; p < 0.0001; HR 7.50; p = 0.0001). Bridging therapy before transplantation provided a significant survival advantage regardless of the transplant procedure (OS: p = 0.008; DFS: p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients with HCC outside the MC who underwent LT or LDLT had worse outcomes compared to those of patients who met the MC but still had a survival advantage compared to patients without transplantation. Nevertheless, such patients remain disadvantaged on the waiting list, which is why LDLT represents a safe alternative to LT and should be considered in bridged HCC patients because of differences in tumour differentiation, size and tumour marker dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Rohland
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lea Freye
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Laura Schwenk
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Aladdin Ali-Deeb
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Ardelt
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Astrid Bauschke
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Utz Settmacher
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Falk Rauchfuß
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Felix Dondorf
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bednarsch J, Lang SA, Heise D, Strnad P, Neumann UP, Ulmer TF. Laparoscopic Living donor liver transplantation in irresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in primary sclerosing cholangitis associated liver cirrhosis. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2024; 62:50-55. [PMID: 38195108 DOI: 10.1055/a-2221-6126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is the second most common primary liver tumor and usually associated with a poor oncological prognosis. The current gold standard is the surgical resection of the tumor with subsequent adjuvant therapy. However, in case of irresectability e.g. in case of liver cirrhosis, a palliative treatment regime is conducted.This report demonstrates the case of an irresectable iCCA in liver cirrhosis due to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) treated by living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) facilitated by minimal invasive donor hepatectomy. No postoperative complications were observed in the donor and the donor was released on the 6th postoperative day. Further, after a follow-up of 1.5 years, no disease recurrence was detected in the recipient.According to the recent international literature, liver transplantation can be evaluated in case of small solitary iCCA (< 3 cm) in cirrhosis. Less evidence is provided for transplantation in advanced tumors which are surgically not resectable due to advanced liver disease or infiltration of major vessels, however some reports display adequate long-term survival after strict patient selection. The selection criteria comprise the absence of distant metastases and locoregional lymph node metastases as well as partial remission or stable disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Due to no established graft allocation for iCCA in Germany, LDLT is currently the best option to realize transplantation in these patients. Developments in the last decade indicate that LDLT should preferentially be performed in minimal invasive manner (laparoscopic or robotic) as this approach is associated with less overall complications and a shorter hospitalization. The presented case illustrates the possibilities of modern surgery and the introduction of transplant oncology in the modern therapy of patients combining systemic therapy, surgical resection and transplantation to achieve optimal long-term results in patients which were initially indicated for palliative treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Bednarsch
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sven A Lang
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Daniel Heise
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Pavel Strnad
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ulf P Neumann
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tom F Ulmer
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|