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Pelizzaro F, Haxhi S, Penzo B, Vitale A, Giannini EG, Sansone V, Rapaccini GL, Di Marco M, Caturelli E, Magalotti D, Sacco R, Celsa C, Campani C, Mega A, Guarino M, Gasbarrini A, Svegliati-Baroni G, Foschi FG, Olivani A, Masotto A, Nardone G, Raimondo G, Azzaroli F, Vidili G, Brunetto MR, Trevisani F, Farinati F. Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Clinical Practice: Temporal Trends and Survival Outcomes of an Iterative Treatment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:822507. [PMID: 35174092 PMCID: PMC8841805 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.822507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is one of the most frequently applied treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. In this study, we aimed at evaluating whether and how TACE application and repetition, as well as the related outcome, have changed over the last three decades in Italy. Methods Data of 7,184 patients with HCC were retrieved from the Italian Liver Cancer (ITA.LI.CA) database. Patients were divided according to the period of diagnosis in six cohorts: P1 (1988–1993), P2 (1994–1998), P3 (1999–2004), P4 (2005–2009), P5 (2010–2014), and P6 (2015–2019). All the analyses were repeated in the overall patient population and in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) B patients, who are the subgroup of HCC patients originally supposed to receive TACE according to guidelines. TACE was defined as either the first or the main (more effective) treatment. Results The proportion of patients receiving TACE as first or main therapy declined over time, and less than 50% of BCLC B patients were treated with chemoembolization from P3 onward. Conversely, TACE was widely used even outside the intermediate stage. Survival of TACE-treated patients progressively increased from P1 to P6. Although TACE was performed only once in the majority of patients, there was an increasing proportion of those receiving 2 or ≥3 treatments sessions over time. The overall survival (OS) of patients undergoing repeated treatments was significantly higher compared to those managed with a single TACE (median OS 40.0 vs. 65.0 vs. 71.8 months in 1, 2, and ≥3 TACE groups, respectively; p < 0.0001). However, after a first-line TACE, the adoption of curative therapies provided longer survival than repeating TACE (83.0 vs. 42.0 months; p < 0.0001), which in turn was associated with better outcomes compared to systemic therapies or best supportive care (BSC). Conclusions Despite a decline in the percentage of treated patients over time, TACE has still an important role in the management of HCC patients. The survival of TACE-treated patients gradually improved over time, probably due to a better patient selection. Iterative TACE is effective, but an upward shift to curative therapies provides better outcomes while transition to systemic therapies and BSC leads to a worse prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Pelizzaro
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Selion Haxhi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Barbara Penzo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Edoardo G. Giannini
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Vito Sansone
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary and Immunoallergic Diseases, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gian Ludovico Rapaccini
- Gastroenterology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Roma, Italy
| | | | | | - Donatella Magalotti
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Sacco
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Foggia University Hospital, Foggia, Italy
| | - Ciro Celsa
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties (PROMISE), Gastroenterology & Hepatology Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences (Di.Chir.On.S.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudia Campani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Andrea Mega
- Gastroenterology Unit, Bolzano Regional Hospital, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Maria Guarino
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Olivani
- Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alberto Masotto
- Gastroenterology Unit, Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy
| | - Gerardo Nardone
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giovanni Raimondo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Clinical and Molecular Hepatology Unit, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Azzaroli
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Vidili
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica Unit, University of Sassari, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maurizia Rossana Brunetto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hepatology and Liver Physiopathology Laboratory and Internal Medicine Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Franco Trevisani
- Medical Semeiotics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- *Correspondence: Fabio Farinati,
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Russo FP, Zanetto A, Pinto E, Battistella S, Penzo B, Burra P, Farinati F. Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Viral Hepatitis: Where Do We Stand? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:500. [PMID: 35008926 PMCID: PMC8745141 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related death. Although the burden of alcohol- and NASH-related HCC is growing, chronic viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) remains a major cause of HCC development worldwide. The pathophysiology of viral-related HCC includes liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and deregulation of cell signaling pathways. HBV is particularly oncogenic because, contrary to HCV, integrates in the cell DNA and persists despite virological suppression by nucleotide analogues. Surveillance by six-month ultrasound is recommended in patients with cirrhosis and in "high-risk" patients with chronic HBV infection. Antiviral therapy reduces the risks of development and recurrence of HCC; however, patients with advanced chronic liver disease remain at risk of HCC despite virological suppression/cure and should therefore continue surveillance. Multiple scores have been developed in patients with chronic hepatitis B to predict the risk of HCC development and may be used to stratify individual patient's risk. In patients with HCV-related liver disease who achieve sustained virological response by direct acting antivirals, there is a strong need for markers/scores to predict long-term risk of HCC. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances regarding viral-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Fabio Farinati
- Gastroenterology/Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.R.); (A.Z.); (E.P.); (S.B.); (B.P.); (P.B.)
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Pelizzaro F, Cardin R, Sartori A, Imondi A, Penzo B, Aliberti C, Ponzoni A, Vitale A, Cillo U, Farinati F. Circulating MicroRNA-21 and MicroRNA-122 as Prognostic Biomarkers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Treated with Transarterial Chemoembolization. Biomedicines 2021; 9:890. [PMID: 34440094 PMCID: PMC8389644 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aim at evaluating miR-21 and miR-122 in HCC patients treated with drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) as prognostic biomarkers and investigating their correlation with hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) serum levels. METHODS In this retrospective study, 12 healthy subjects, 28 cirrhotics, and 54 HCC patients (tested before and four weeks after DEB-TACE) were included. Whole blood miR-21 and miR-122 levels were measured by quantitative real time (qRT)-PCR, while serum HIF-1α was assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. RESULTS The highest level of miR-21 was found in cirrhotics, while HCC patients had the highest level of miR-122 (which was even higher in "viral" HCC, p = 0.006). miR-21 ratio (after/before DEB-TACE) and miR-122 below their respective cut-offs identified patients with longer progression-free survival (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.02, respectively). The combined assessment of alpha-fetoprotein and miR-21 ratio, both independent prognostic predictors, identified early progressors among patients with complete or partial radiological response. miR-21 levels positively correlated with HIF-1α before (p = 0.045) and after DEB-TACE (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS miR-21 ratio and miR-122 are useful prognostic markers after DEB-TACE. miR-21 correlates with HIF-1α and probably has a role in modulating angiogenesis in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Pelizzaro
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (A.S.); (A.I.); (B.P.)
| | - Romilda Cardin
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (A.S.); (A.I.); (B.P.)
| | - Anna Sartori
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (A.S.); (A.I.); (B.P.)
| | - Angela Imondi
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (A.S.); (A.I.); (B.P.)
| | - Barbara Penzo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (A.S.); (A.I.); (B.P.)
| | - Camillo Aliberti
- Radiology Unit, Azienda Ospedale-Università di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (C.A.); (A.P.)
- Diagnostic Imaging Department, Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda, 37019 Verona, Italy
| | - Alberto Ponzoni
- Radiology Unit, Azienda Ospedale-Università di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (C.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (U.C.)
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (U.C.)
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (A.S.); (A.I.); (B.P.)
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Pelizzaro F, Cardin R, Penzo B, Pinto E, Vitale A, Cillo U, Russo FP, Farinati F. Liquid Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Where Are We Now? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2274. [PMID: 34068786 PMCID: PMC8126224 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer related death worldwide. Diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers are urgently needed in order to improve patient survival. Indeed, the most widely used biomarkers, such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), have limited accuracy as both diagnostic and prognostic tests. Liver biopsy provides an insight on the biology of the tumor, but it is an invasive procedure, not routinely used, and not representative of the whole neoplasia due to the demonstrated intra-tumoral heterogeneity. In recent years, liquid biopsy, defined as the molecular analysis of cancer by-products, released by the tumor in the bloodstream, emerged as an appealing source of new biomarkers. Several studies focused on evaluating extracellular vesicles, circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA and non-coding RNA as novel reliable biomarkers. In this review, we aimed to provide a comprehensive overview on the most relevant available evidence on novel circulating biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognostic stratification, and therapeutic monitoring. Liquid biopsy seems to be a very promising instrument and, in the near future, some of these new non-invasive tools will probably change the clinical management of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Pelizzaro
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Romilda Cardin
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Barbara Penzo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Elisa Pinto
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (U.C.)
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (U.C.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
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Pelizzaro F, Penzo B, Trevisani F, Farinati F. Letter: is female sex really associated with better prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma? Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2021; 53:669-670. [PMID: 33566412 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Pelizzaro
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Barbara Penzo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Franco Trevisani
- Semeiotics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Pelizzaro F, Vitale A, Sartori A, Vieno A, Penzo B, Russo FP, Frigo AC, Giannini EG, Piccinnu M, Rapaccini GL, Di Marco M, Caturelli E, Zoli M, Sacco R, Celsa C, Marra F, Mega A, Guarino M, Gasbarrini A, Svegliati-Baroni G, Foschi FG, Olivani A, Masotto A, Coccoli P, Raimondo G, Azzaroli F, Vidili G, Brunetto MR, Trevisani F, Farinati F. Surveillance as Determinant of Long-Term Survival in Non-Transplanted Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:897. [PMID: 33672751 PMCID: PMC7924561 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed at assessing the impact of surveillance on long-term survival in HCC patients. METHODS From the ITA.LI.CA database, we selected 1028 cases with long (≥5 years, LS group) and 2721 controls with short-term survival (<5 years, SS group). The association between surveillance and LS was adjusted for confounders by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Survival of surveilled patients was presented both as observed and corrected for the lead-time bias, and the comparison of survival between surveillance and no surveillance groups was also performed after balancing the baseline characteristics with inverse probability weights (IPW). RESULTS LS patients were more frequently diagnosed under surveillance (p < 0.0001), and had more favorable baseline characteristics. Surveillance was an independent predictor of LS (OR = 1.413, 95% CI 1.195-1.671; p < 0.0001). The observed and the lead-time corrected survival of surveilled patients were significantly longer compared to the survival of not surveilled patients (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0008, respectively). In IPW adjusted populations, no survival differences were demonstrated between the two groups (p = 0.30). CONCLUSIONS Surveillance, increasing early-stage diagnosis and applicability of curative treatments, is a fundamental determinant of long-term survival in HCC patients. A wide implementation of surveillance programs should be pursued in order to improve HCC patients' prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Pelizzaro
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (A.S.); (A.V.); (B.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Anna Sartori
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (A.S.); (A.V.); (B.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Andrea Vieno
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (A.S.); (A.V.); (B.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Barbara Penzo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (A.S.); (A.V.); (B.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (A.S.); (A.V.); (B.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Anna Chiara Frigo
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Edoardo G Giannini
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Manuela Piccinnu
- Internal Medicine–Piscaglia Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Gian Ludovico Rapaccini
- Gastroenterology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | - Maria Di Marco
- Medicine Unit, Bolognini Hospital, 24068 Seriate, Italy;
| | | | - Marco Zoli
- Internal Medicine–Zoli Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Rodolfo Sacco
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Foggia University Hospital, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Ciro Celsa
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Fabio Marra
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Firenze, 50121 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Andrea Mega
- Gastroenterology Unit, Bolzano Regional Hospital, 39100 Bolzano, Italy;
| | - Maria Guarino
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Napoli “Federico II”, 80138 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Policlinico Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | | | | | - Andrea Olivani
- Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy;
| | - Alberto Masotto
- Gastroenterology Unit, Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, 37024 Negrar, Italy;
| | - Pietro Coccoli
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Napoli “Federico II”, 80138 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Raimondo
- Clinical and Molecular Hepatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Francesco Azzaroli
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Gianpaolo Vidili
- Clinica Medica Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Maurizia Rossana Brunetto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hepatology and Liver Physiopathology Laboratory and Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Franco Trevisani
- Medical Semeiotics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (A.S.); (A.V.); (B.P.); (F.P.R.)
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Pelizzaro F, Penzo B, Peserico G, Imondi A, Sartori A, Vitale A, Cillo U, Giannini EG, Forgione A, Ludovico Rapaccini G, Di Marco M, Caturelli E, Zoli M, Sacco R, Cabibbo G, Marra F, Mega A, Morisco F, Gasbarrini A, Svegliati-Baroni G, Giuseppe Foschi F, Olivani A, Masotto A, Nardone G, Raimondo G, Azzaroli F, Vidili G, Oliveri F, Trevisani F, Farinati F. Monofocal hepatocellular carcinoma: How much does size matter? Liver Int 2021; 41:396-407. [PMID: 33155401 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS According to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, monofocal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is classified as early (BCLC A) irrespective of its size, even though controversies still exist regarding staging and treatment of large tumours. We aimed at evaluating the appropriate staging and treatment for large (>5 cm) monofocal (HCC). METHODS From the Italian Liver Cancer database, we selected 924 patients with small early monofocal HCC (2-5 cm; SEM-HCC), 163 patients with larger tumours (>5 cm; LEM-HCC) and 1048 intermediate stage patients (BCLC B). RESULTS LEM-HCC patients had a worse overall survival (OS) than SEM-HCC (31.0 vs 49.0 months; P < .0001), and this was confirmed at multivariate analysis (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.29-2.05; P < .0001). The small difference in OS between LEM-HCC and BCLC B patients (31.0 vs 27.0 months; P = .03) disappeared in the multivariate model (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.77-1.25; P = .89). In all monofocal tumours, treatment was the strongest independent predictor of survival, with a progressively decreasing survival benefit moving from "curative" to "palliative" therapies. The survival of resected patients with LEM-HCC was significantly shorter than that of SEM-HCC (44.0 vs 78.0 months; P = .002), but liver resection provided the highest survival benefit in both groups compared to other treatments. CONCLUSIONS Monofocal HCC larger than 5 cm should not be staged as BCLC A and either a different staging system or a different subgrouping of patients (e.g. BCLC AB) should be used. Liver resection, if feasible, remains the recommended treatment for all these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Pelizzaro
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Barbara Penzo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Peserico
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Angela Imondi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Sartori
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Edoardo G Giannini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Genova, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Antonella Forgione
- Internal Medicine-Piscaglia Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Marco Zoli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Internal Medicine-Zoli Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Sacco
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Foggia University Hospital, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cabibbo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, PROMISE, Gastroenterology & Hepatology Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Marra
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Andrea Mega
- Gastroenterology Unit, Bolzano Regional Hospital, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Filomena Morisco
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Policlinico Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Olivani
- Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alberto Masotto
- Gastroenterology Unit, Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy
| | - Gerardo Nardone
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Giovanni Raimondo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Clinical and Molecular Hepatology Unit, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Azzaroli
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Vidili
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Science, Clinica Medica Unit, University of Sassari, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Filippo Oliveri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hepatology and Liver Physiopathology Laboratory and Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Franco Trevisani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Semeiotics Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Pelizzaro F, Soldà F, Cardin R, Imondi A, Sartori A, Penzo B, Sammarco A, Aliberti C, Vitale A, Cillo U, Farinati F. SCCA-IgM in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization: gender-related differences. Biomark Med 2020; 14:855-867. [PMID: 32808827 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2019-0564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Squamous cell carcinoma antigen immune complexed with immunoglobulin M (SCCA-IgM) is a useful but not completely satisfactory biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Considering its gender-specific behavior in preclinical models, we investigated gender-related differences of SCCA-IgM as a prognostic marker in HCC. Patients & methods: Two hundred and eight prospectively recruited patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization in a single tertiary care hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Correlations between SCCA-IgM levels, clinical characteristics and survival were assessed according to gender. Results: When the disease was advanced, SCCA-IgM was higher in males and lower in females. Levels below 130 AU/ml predicted a significantly longer survival in males (p = 0.007) and a shorter survival in females (p = 0.01). Conclusion: In predicting the prognosis of HCC patients, the interpretation of SCCA-IgM should consider gender as a relevant variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Pelizzaro
- Department of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Federica Soldà
- Department of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Romilda Cardin
- Department of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Angela Imondi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Sartori
- Department of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Barbara Penzo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ambra Sammarco
- Department of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Camillo Aliberti
- Department of Radiology, Radiology Unit, Azienda Ospedale-Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Department of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Department of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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