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Andraus W, Tustumi F, Santana AC, Pinheiro RSN, Waisberg DR, Lopes LD, Arantes RM, Santos VR, de Martino RB, D'Albuquerque LAC. Liver transplantation as an alternative for the treatment of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: A critical review. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2024; 23:139-145. [PMID: 38310060 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (phCCC) is a dismal malignancy. There is no consensus regarding the best treatment for patients with unresectable phCCC. The present review aimed to gather the current pieces of evidence for liver transplantation and liver resection as a treatment for phCCC and to build better guidance for clinical practice. DATA SOURCES The search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and LILACS. The related references were searched manually. Inclusion criteria were: reports in English or Portuguese literature that a) patients with confirmed diagnosis of phCCC; b) patients treated with a curative intent; c) patients with the outcomes of liver resection and liver transplantation. Case reports, reviews, letters, editorials, conference abstracts and papers with full-text unavailability were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS Most of the current literature is based on observational retrospective studies with low grades of evidence. Liver resection has better long-term outcomes than systemic chemotherapy or palliation therapy and liver transplantation is a good alternative for selected patients with unresectable phCCC. All candidates for resection or transplantation should be medically fit and free of intrahepatic or extrahepatic diseases. As a general rule, patients presenting with a tumor having a longitudinal size > 3 cm or extending below the cystic duct, lymph node disease, confirmed extrahepatic dissemination; intraoperatively diagnosed metastatic disease; a history of other malignancies within the last five years, and did not complete chemoradiation regimen and were medically unfit should not be considered for transplantation. Some of these criteria should be individually assessed. Liver transplantation or resection should only be considered in highly experienced hepatobiliary centers, and any decision-making must be based on a multidisciplinary evaluation. CONCLUSIONS phCCC is a complex condition with high morbidity. Surgical therapies, including hepatectomy and liver transplantation, are the best option for better long-term disease-free survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wellington Andraus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Francisco Tustumi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Chagas Santana
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Reis Waisberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Liliana Ducatti Lopes
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rubens Macedo Arantes
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Rocha Santos
- Department of Gastroenterology, Transplantation Unit, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Kodali S, Connor AA, Thabet S, Brombosz EW, Ghobrial RM. Liver transplantation as an alternative for the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Past, present, and future directions. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2024; 23:129-138. [PMID: 37517983 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2023.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a rare biliary tract cancer with high mortality rate. Complete resection of the iCCA lesion is the first choice of treatment, with good prognosis after margin-negative resection. Unfortunately, only 12%-40% of patients are eligible for resection at presentation due to cirrhosis, portal hypertension, or large tumor size. Liver transplantation (LT) offers margin-negative iCCA extirpation for patients with unresectable tumors. Initially, iCCA was a contraindication for LT until size-based selection criteria were introduced to identify patients with satisfied post-LT outcomes. Recent studies have shown that tumor biology-based selection can yield high post-LT survival in patients with locally advanced iCCA. Another selection criterion is the tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy. Patients with response to neoadjuvant therapy have better outcomes after LT compared with those without tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy. Another index that helps predict the treatment outcome is the biomarker. Improved survival outcomes have also opened the door for living donor LT for iCCA. Patients undergoing LT for iCCA now have statistically similar survival rates as patients undergoing resection. The combination of surgery and locoregional and systemic therapies improves the prognosis of iCCA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudha Kodali
- Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; JC Walter Jr Transplant Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ashton A Connor
- Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; JC Walter Jr Transplant Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - R Mark Ghobrial
- Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; JC Walter Jr Transplant Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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Taghizadeh H, Dong Y, Gruenberger T, Prager GW. Perioperative and palliative systemic treatments for biliary tract cancer. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2024; 16:17588359241230756. [PMID: 38559612 PMCID: PMC10981863 DOI: 10.1177/17588359241230756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the fact biliary tract cancer (BTC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, thus, not eligible for resection, and due to the aggressive tumor biology, it is considered as one of the cancer types with the worst prognosis. Advances in diagnosis, surgical techniques, and molecular characterization have led to an improvement of the prognosis of BTC patients, recently. Although neoadjuvant therapy is expected to improve surgical outcomes by reducing tumor size, its routine is not well established. The application of neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced disease may be indicated, the routine use of systemic therapy prior to surgery for cholangiocarcinoma patients with an upfront resectable disease is less well established, but discussed and performed in selected cases. In advanced disease, only combination chemotherapy regimens have been demonstrated to achieve disease control in untreated patients. Molecular profiling of the tumor has demonstrated that many BTC might bear actionable targets, which might be addressed by biological treatments, thus improving the prognosis of the patients. Furthermore, the addition of the immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy might improve the prognosis in a subset of patients. This review seeks to give a comprehensive overview about the role of neoadjuvant as well as palliative systemic treatment approaches and an outlook about novel systemic treatment concept in BTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Taghizadeh
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital St. Pölten, St. Pölten, Austria
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
- Karl Landsteiner Institute for Oncology and Nephrology, St. Pölten, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Medicine I, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yawen Dong
- Department of Surgery, HPB Center, Health Network Vienna, Clinic Favoriten, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Gruenberger
- Department of Surgery, HPB Center, Health Network Vienna, Clinic Favoriten, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerald W. Prager
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, Vienna AT1090, Austria
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Kodali S, Connor AA, Brombosz EW, Ghobrial RM. Update on the Screening, Diagnosis, and Management of Cholangiocarcinoma. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y) 2024; 20:151-158. [PMID: 38680168 PMCID: PMC11047158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a neoplasm of the biliary tract that has become increasingly prevalent throughout the world. Common risk factors for developing CCA include cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and trematode fluke infestation, although there are no set screening guidelines in high-risk groups. Lesions are typically identified via cross-sectional imaging and/or elevated serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels, often followed by cytology or brushings with fluorescence in situ hybridization for confirmation. Treatments can vary among CCA subtypes but frequently involve systemic therapies such as gemcitabine and cisplatin with durvalumab or pembrolizumab. Targeted therapies may also be effective (eg, ivosidenib, pemigatinib, infigratinib, futibatinib) depending on the molecular alterations present. Resection is the most common surgical treatment for CCA, although liver transplantation is also an option in highly selected patients with liver-limited unresectable disease. Radiotherapy may also be a treatment option, as well as transarterial radioembolization (eg, yttrium-90), which is often utilized in combination with systemic therapy. Although patients with CCA have traditionally had a poor prognosis, recent advances in treatment, including new systemic therapies and increased utilization of liver transplantation, have improved expected survival. This article reviews screening modalities, pros and cons of diagnostic techniques, and therapies that are currently available to treat patients with CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudha Kodali
- Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, J. C. Walter Jr Transplant Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Ashton A. Connor
- Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, J. C. Walter Jr Transplant Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | | | - R. Mark Ghobrial
- Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, J. C. Walter Jr Transplant Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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Zhang H, Yang J, Song Q, Ding X, Sun F, Yang L. UBA3 promotes the occurrence and metastasis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma through MAPK signaling pathway. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024; 56:199-209. [PMID: 38298057 PMCID: PMC10984854 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) accounts for approximately 15% of primary liver cancers, and the incidence rate has been increasing in recent years. Surgical resection is the best treatment for ICC, but the 5-year survival rate is less than 30%. ICC signature genes are crucial for the early diagnosis of ICC, so it is especially important to identify signature genes. The aim of this study is to screen the signature genes of ICC and find the potential target for the treatment of ICC. We find that UBA3 is highly expressed in ICC, and knockdown of UBA3 inhibits ICC proliferation, invasion and migration. Mechanistic experiments show that UBA3 promotes ICC proliferation, invasion and migration by affecting ANXA2 through the MAPK signaling pathway. UBA3 is a target of bufalin, and bufalin targeting UBA3 inhibits ICC development and progression through the MAPK signaling pathway. In conclusion, our study shows that bufalin inhibits ICC by targeting UBA3, which has emerged as a new biomarker and potential therapeutic target for ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huhu Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Cell BiologyBasic Medical CollegeQingdao UniversityQingdao266071China
| | - Jiahua Yang
- School of Basic MedicineQingdao UniversityQingdao266071China
- Institute of Brain Science and DiseaseShandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological DisordersQingdao UniversityQingdao266071China
| | - Qinghang Song
- College of MedicineQingdao UniversityQingdao266071China
| | - Xiaoyan Ding
- Department of Genetics and Cell BiologyBasic Medical CollegeQingdao UniversityQingdao266071China
| | - Fulin Sun
- College of MedicineQingdao UniversityQingdao266071China
| | - Lina Yang
- Department of Genetics and Cell BiologyBasic Medical CollegeQingdao UniversityQingdao266071China
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Piekuś-Słomka N, Mocan LP, Shkreli R, Grapă C, Denkiewicz K, Wesolowska O, Kornek M, Spârchez Z, Słomka A, Crăciun R, Mocan T. Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover: The Role of Statins in Liver Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5100. [PMID: 37894467 PMCID: PMC10605163 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Statins, which are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, are an effective pharmacological tool for lowering blood cholesterol levels. This property makes statins one of the most popular drugs used primarily to prevent cardiovascular diseases, where hyperlipidemia is a significant risk factor that increases mortality. Nevertheless, studies conducted mainly in the last decade have shown that statins might prevent and treat liver cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. This narrative review summarizes the scientific achievements to date regarding the role of statins in liver tumors. Molecular biology tools have revealed that cell growth and proliferation can be inhibited by statins, which further inhibit angiogenesis. Clinical studies, supported by meta-analysis, confirm that statins are highly effective in preventing and treating hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. However, this effect may depend on the statin's type and dose, and more clinical trials are required to evaluate clinical effects. Moreover, their potential hepatotoxicity is a significant caveat for using statins in clinical practice. Nevertheless, this group of drugs, initially developed to prevent cardiovascular diseases, is now a key candidate in hepato-oncology patient management. The description of new drug-statin-like structures, e.g., with low toxicity to liver cells, may bring another clinically significant improvement to current cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Piekuś-Słomka
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Jurasza 2, 85-089 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Lavinia Patricia Mocan
- Department of Histology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Rezarta Shkreli
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Aldent University, 1001-1028 Tirana, Albania;
| | - Cristiana Grapă
- Department of Physiology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Kinga Denkiewicz
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.D.); (O.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Oliwia Wesolowska
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.D.); (O.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Miroslaw Kornek
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Zeno Spârchez
- 3rd Medical Department, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Artur Słomka
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.D.); (O.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Rareș Crăciun
- 3rd Medical Department, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Octavian Fodor” Institute for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Tudor Mocan
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Octavian Fodor” Institute for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- UBBMed Department, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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