Increased susceptibility to ischemia causes exacerbated response to microinjuries in the cirrhotic liver

Fractional laser ablation is a technique developed in dermatology to induce remodeling of skin scars by creating a dense pattern of microinjuries. Despite remarkable clinical results, this technique has yet to be tested for scars in other tissues. As a first step toward determining the suitability of this technique, we aimed to (1) characterize the response to microinjuries in the healthy and cirrhotic liver, and (2) determine the underlying cause for any differences in response. Healthy and cirrhotic rats were treated with a fractional laser then euthanized from 0 h up to 14 days after treatment. Differential expression was assessed using RNAseq with a difference-in-differences model. Spatial maps of tissue oxygenation were acquired with hyperspectral imaging and disruptions in blood supply were assessed with tomato lectin perfusion. Healthy rats showed little damage beyond the initial microinjury and healed completely by 7 days without scarring. In cirrhotic rats, hepatocytes surrounding microinjury sites died 4-6 h after ablation, resulting in enlarged and heterogeneous zones of cell death. Hepatocytes near blood vessels were spared, particularly near the highly vascularized septa. Gene sets related to ischemia and angiogenesis were enriched at 4 h. Laser-treated regions had reduced oxygen saturation and broadly disrupted perfusion of nodule microvasculature, which matched the zones of cell death. Our results demonstrate that the cirrhotic liver has an exacerbated response to microinjuries and increased susceptibility to ischemia from microvascular damage, likely related to the vascular derangements that occur during cirrhosis development. Modifications to the fractional laser tool, such as using a femtosecond laser or reducing the spot size, may be able to prevent large disruptions of perfusion and enable further development of a laser-induced microinjury treatment for cirrhosis.

Fluorescence lifetime of injected indocyanine green as a universal marker of solid tumours in patients

The surgical resection of solid tumours can be enhanced by fluorescence-guided imaging. However, variable tumour uptake and incomplete clearance of fluorescent dyes reduces the accuracy of distinguishing tumour from normal tissue via conventional fluorescence intensity-based imaging. Here we show that, after systemic injection of the near-infrared dye indocyanine green in patients with various types of solid tumour, the fluorescence lifetime (FLT) of tumour tissue is longer than the FLT of non-cancerous tissue. This tumour-specific shift in FLT can be used to distinguish tumours from normal tissue with an accuracy of over 97% across tumour types, and can be visualized at the cellular level using microscopy and in larger specimens through wide-field imaging. Unlike fluorescence intensity, which depends on imaging-system parameters, tissue depth and the amount of dye taken up by tumours, FLT is a photophysical property that is largely independent of these factors. FLT imaging with indocyanine green may improve the accuracy of cancer surgeries.

Precision-Cut Liver Slices as an ex vivo model to evaluate antifibrotic therapies for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis

Background

Precision-Cut Liver Slices (PCLS) are an ex vivo culture model developed to study hepatic drug metabolism. One of the main benefits of this model is that it retains the structure and cellular composition of the native liver. PCLS also represents a potential model system to study liver fibrosis in a setting that more closely approximates in vivo pathology than in vitro methods. The aim of this study was to assess whether responses to antifibrotic interventions can be detected and quantified with PCLS.

Methods

PCLS of 250 μm thickness were prepared from four different murine fibrotic liver models: choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD), thioacetamide (TAA), diethylnitrosamine (DEN), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). PCLS were treated with 5 μM Erlotinib for 72 hours. Histology and gene expression were then compared with in vivo murine experiments and TGF-β1 activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). These types of PCLS characterization were also evaluated in PCLS from human cirrhotic liver.

Results

PCLS viability in culture was stable for 72 hours. Treatment of erlotinib, an EGFR inhibitor significantly inhibited the expression of profibrogenic genes Il6, Col1a1 and Timp1 in PCLS from CDAHFD-induced cirrhotic mice, and Il6, Col1a1 and Tgfb1 in PCLS from TAA-induced cirrhotic rats. Erlotinib treatment of PCLS from DEN-induced cirrhotic rats inhibited the expression of Col1a1, Timp1, Tgfb1 and Il6, which was consistent with the impact of erlotinib on Col1a1 and Tgfb1 expression in in vivo DEN-induced cirrhosis. Erlotinib treatment of PCLS from CCl4-induced cirrhosis caused reduced expression of Timp1, Col1a1 and Tgfb1, which was consistent with the effect of erlotinib in in vivo CCl4-induced cirrhosis. In addition, in HSCs at PCLS from normal mice, TGF-β1 treatment upregulated Acta2 (αSMA), while treatment with erlotinib inhibited the expression of Acta2. Similar expression results were observed in TGF-β1 treated in vitro HSCs. Expression of MMPs and TIMPs, key regulators of fibrosis progression and regression, were also significantly altered under erlotinib treatment in PCLS. Expression changes under erlotinib treatment were also corroborated with PCLS from human cirrhosis samples.

Conclusion

The responses to antifibrotic interventions can be detected and quantified with PCLS at the gene expression level. The antifibrotic effects of erlotinib are consistent between PCLS models of murine cirrhosis and those observed in vivo and in vitro. Similar effects were also reproduced in PCLS derived from patients with cirrhosis. PCLS is an excellent model to assess antifibrotic therapies that is aligned with the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs).

Portal Vein or Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis with Dose-Escalated Radiation for Borderline or Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

PURPOSE

Portal vein and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (PVT/SMVT) are potentially morbid complications of radiation dose-escalated local therapy for pancreatic cancer. We retrospectively reviewed records for patients treated with and without intraoperative radiation (IORT) to identify risk factors for PVT/SMVT.

METHODS

Ninety-six patients with locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma received neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgical exploration from 2009 to 2014. Patients at risk for close or positive surgical margins received IORT boost to a biologically effective dose (BED10) > 100. Prognostic factors for PVT/SMVT were evaluated using competing risks regression.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 79 months for surviving patients. Fifty-six patients (58%) received IORT. Twenty-nine patients (30%) developed PVT/SMVT at a median time of 18 months. On univariate competing risks regression, operative blood loss and venous repair with a vascular interposition graft, but not IORT dose escalation or diabetes history, were significantly associated with PVT/SMVT. The development of thrombosis in the absence of recurrence was significantly associated with a longstanding diabetes history, post-neoadjuvant treatment CA19-9, and operative blood loss. All 4 patients who underwent both IORT and vascular repair with a graft developed PVT/SMVT. PVT/SMVT in the absence of recurrence is not associated with significantly worsened overall survival but led to frequent medical interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 30% of patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation for PDAC developed PVT/SMVT a median of 18 months following surgery. This was significantly associated with venous reconstruction with vascular grafts, but not with escalating radiation dose. PVT/SMVT in the absence of recurrence was associated with significant morbidity.

Molecular magnetic resonance imaging of liver inflammation using an oxidatively activated probe

Background & Aims

Many liver diseases are driven by inflammation, but imaging to non-invasively diagnose and quantify liver inflammation has been underdeveloped. The inflammatory liver microenvironment is aberrantly oxidising owing in part to reactive oxygen species generated by myeloid leucocytes. We hypothesised that magnetic resonance imaging using the oxidatively activated probe Fe-PyC3A will provide a non-invasive biomarker of liver inflammation.

Methods

A mouse model of drug-induced liver injury was generated through intraperitoneal injection of a hepatoxic dose of acetaminophen. A mouse model of steatohepatitis was generated via a choline-deficient, l-amino acid defined high-fat diet (CDAHFD). Images were acquired dynamically before and after intravenous injection of Fe-PyC3A. The contrast agent gadoterate meglumine was used as a non-oxidatively activated negative control probe in mice fed CDAHFD. The (post-pre) Fe-PyC3A injection change in liver vs. muscle contrast-to-noise ratio (ΔCNR) recorded 2 min post-injection was correlated with liver function test values, histologic scoring assigned using the NASH Clinical Research Network criteria, and intrahepatic myeloid leucocyte composition determined by flow cytometry.

Results

For mice receiving i.p. injections of acetaminophen, intrahepatic neutrophil composition correlated poorly with liver test values but positively and significantly with ΔCNR (r = 0.64, p <0.0001). For mice fed CDAHFD, ΔCNR generated by Fe-PyC3A in the left lobe was significantly greater in mice meeting histologic criteria strongly associated with a diagnosis NASH compared to mice where histology was consistent with likely non-NASH (p = 0.0001), whereas no differential effect was observed using gadoterate meglumine. In mice fed CDAHFD, ΔCNR did not correlate strongly with fractional composition of any specific myeloid cell subpopulation as determined by flow cytometry.

Conclusions

Magnetic resonance imaging using Fe-PyC3A merits further evaluation as a non-invasive biomarker for liver inflammation.

Impact and implications

Non-invasive tests to diagnose and measure liver inflammation are underdeveloped. Inflammatory cells such as neutrophils release reactive oxygen species which creates an inflammatory liver microenvironment that can drive chemical oxidation. We recently invented a new class of magnetic resonance imaging probe that is made visible to the scanner only after chemical oxidation. Here, we demonstrate how this imaging technology could be applied as a non-invasive biomarker for liver inflammation.

Tailored Chemical Reactivity Probes for Systemic Imaging of Aldehydes in Fibroproliferative Diseases

During fibroproliferation, protein-associated extracellular aldehydes are formed by the oxidation of lysine residues on extracellular matrix proteins to form the aldehyde allysine. Here we report three Mn(II)-based, small-molecule magnetic resonance probes that contain α-effect nucleophiles to target allysine in vivo and report on tissue fibrogenesis. We used a rational design approach to develop turn-on probes with a 4-fold increase in relaxivity upon targeting. The effects of aldehyde condensation rate and hydrolysis kinetics on the performance of the probes to detect tissue fibrogenesis non-invasively in mouse models were evaluated by a systemic aldehyde tracking approach. We showed that, for highly reversible ligations, off-rate was a stronger predictor of in vivo efficiency, enabling histologically validated, three-dimensional characterization of pulmonary fibrogenesis throughout the entire lung. The exclusive renal elimination of these probes allowed for rapid imaging of liver fibrosis. Reducing the hydrolysis rate by forming an oxime bond with allysine enabled delayed phase imaging of kidney fibrogenesis. The imaging efficacy of these probes, coupled with their rapid and complete elimination from the body, makes them strong candidates for clinical translation.

Fast detection of liver fibrosis with collagen-binding single-nanometer iron oxide nanoparticles via T1-weighted MRI

SNIO-CBP, a single-nanometer iron oxide (SNIO) nanoparticle functionalized with a type I collagen-binding peptide (CBP), was developed as a T1-weighted MRI contrast agent with only endogenous elements for fast and noninvasive detection of liver fibrosis. SNIO-CBP exhibits 6.7-fold higher relaxivity compared to a molecular gadolinium-based collagen-binding contrast agent CM-101 on a per CBP basis at 4.7 T. Unlike most iron oxide nanoparticles, SNIO-CBP exhibits fast elimination from the bloodstream with a 5.7 min half-life, high renal clearance, and low, transient liver enhancement in healthy mice. We show that a dose of SNIO-CBP that is 2.5-fold lower than that for CM-101 has comparable imaging efficacy in rapid (within 15 min following intravenous injection) detection of hepatotoxin-induced liver fibrosis using T1-weighted MRI in a carbon tetrachloride-induced mouse liver injury model. We further demonstrate the applicability of SNIO-CBP in detecting liver fibrosis in choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined high-fat diet mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. These results provide a platform with potential for the development of high relaxivity, gadolinium-free molecular MRI probes for characterizing chronic liver disease.

An International Expert Delphi Consensus on Defining Textbook Outcome in Liver Surgery (TOLS)

OBJECTIVE

To reach global expert consensus on the definition of TOLS in minimally invasive and open liver resection among renowned international expert liver surgeons using a modified Delphi method.

BACKGROUND

Textbook outcome is a novel composite measure combining the most desirable postoperative outcomes into one single measure and representing the ideal postoperative course. Despite a recently developed international definition of Textbook Outcome in Liver Surgery (TOLS), a standardized and expert consensus-based definition is lacking.

METHODS

This international, consensus-based, qualitative study used a Delphi process to achieve consensus on the definition of TOLS. The survey comprised 6 surgical domains with a total of 26 questions on individual surgical outcome variables. The process included 4 rounds of online questionnaires. Consensus was achieved when a threshold of at least 80% agreement was reached. The results from the Delphi rounds were used to establish an international definition of TOLS.

RESULTS

In total, 44 expert liver surgeons from 22 countries and all 3 major international hepato-pancreato-biliary associations completed round 1. Forty-two (96%), 41 (98%), and 41 (98%) of the experts participated in round 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The TOLS definition derived from the consensus process included the absence of intraoperative grade ≥2 incidents, postoperative bile leakage grade B/C, postoperative liver failure grade B/C, 90-day major postoperative complications, 90-day readmission due to surgery-related major complications, 90-day/in-hospital mortality, and the presence of R0 resection margin.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study providing an international expert consensus-based definition of TOLS for minimally invasive and open liver resections by the use of a formal Delphi consensus approach. TOLS may be useful in assessing patient-level hospital performance and carrying out international comparisons between centers with different clinical practices to further improve patient outcomes.

Proteomic profiling of extracellular matrix components from patient metastases identifies consistently elevated proteins for developing nanobodies that target primary tumors and metastases

Metastases are hard to detect and treat, and they cause most cancer-related deaths. The relative lack of therapies targeting metastases represents a major unmet clinical need. The extracellular matrix (ECM) forms a major component of the tumor microenvironment in both primary and metastatic tumors, and certain ECM proteins can be selectively and abundantly expressed in tumors. Nanobodies against ECM proteins that show selective abundance in metastases have the potential to be used as vehicles for delivery of imaging and therapeutic cargoes. Here, we describe a strategy to develop phage-display libraries of nanobodies against ECM proteins expressed in human metastases, using as immunogens entire ECM-enriched preparations from triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and colorectal carcinoma (CRC) metastases to different organs as immunogens. In parallel, LC-MS/MS-based proteomics were used to define a metastasis-associated ECM signature shared by metastases from TNBC and CRC, and this conserved set of ECM proteins was selectively elevated in other tumors. As proof of concept, selective and high-affinity nanobodies were isolated against an example protein from this signature, Tenascin-C (TNC), known to be abundant in many tumor types and to play a role in metastasis. TNC was abundantly expressed in patient metastases and widely expressed across diverse metastatic sites originating from several primary tumor types. Immuno-PET/CT showed that anti-TNC nanobodies bind TNBC tumors and metastases with excellent specificity. We propose that such generic nanobodies against tumors and metastases are promising cancer-agnostic tools for delivery of therapeutics to tumor and metastatic ECM.

Tailored chemical reactivity probes for systemic imaging of aldehydes in fibroproliferative diseases

During fibroproliferation, protein-associated extracellular aldehydes are formed by the oxidation of lysine residues on extracellular matrix proteins to form the aldehyde allysine. Here we report three Mn(II)-based, small molecule magnetic resonance (MR) probes that contain α-effect nucleophiles to target allysine in vivo and report on tissue fibrogenesis. We used a rational design approach to develop turn-on probes with a 4-fold increase in relaxivity upon targeting. The effects of aldehyde condensation rate and hydrolysis kinetics on the performance of the probes to detect tissue fibrogenesis noninvasively in mouse models were evaluated by a systemic aldehyde tracking approach. We showed that for highly reversible ligations, off-rate was a stronger predictor of in vivo efficiency, enabling histologically validated, three-dimensional characterization of pulmonary fibrogenesis throughout the entire lung. The exclusive renal elimination of these probes allowed for rapid imaging of liver fibrosis. Reducing the hydrolysis rate by forming an oxime bond with allysine enabled delayed phase imaging of kidney fibrogenesis. The imaging efficacy of these probes, coupled with their rapid and complete elimination from the body, make them strong candidates for clinical translation.

Abstract 3031: Pilot study of EGFR inhibition with erlotinib in liver fibrosis for hepatocellular carcinoma prevention

BACKGROUND: Effective approaches for prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) will have a significant impact on HCC-related mortality. Data from preclinical models strongly support epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a target for chemoprevention of HCC. Erlotinib is a small-molecular EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is FDA-approved for cancer treatment. The side effects of erlotinib observed in patients receiving the oncology dose (150 mg/day) render it unacceptable as a chemoprevention agent at this dose.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this clinical trial was determination of a safe and minimum effective dose of erlortinib for which a ≥50% reduction phospho-EGFR immunohistochemical staining in the liver was observed.

RESULTS: 46 participants were pre-registered and 25 participants were registered in this multicenter trial. In a dose de-escalation trial design, cohorts of participants received a 7 day course of erlotinib 75 mg/day, 50 mg/day or 25 mg/day with liver tissue acquisition prior to and after erlotinib. A ≥50% reduction phospho-EGFR immunohistochemical staining in the liver was observed in a minimum of 40% of participants at each of the dose levels. Erlotinib was very well tolerated with few side effects observed, particularly at the dose of 25 mg/day. A favorable modulation of the Prognostic Liver Signature was observed in participants that received the higher erlotinib doses (50 and 75 mg/day).

CONCLUSION: These data support the selection a dose of 25 mg/day of erlotinib for a longer intervention to assess for evidence of efficacy as an HCC chemoprevention drug.

Citation Format: Kenneth K. Tanabe, David Zahrieh, Carrie A. Strand, Yujin Hoshida, Thomas J. Flotte, Gary Della’Zanna, Asad Umar, Paul Limburg. Pilot study of EGFR inhibition with erlotinib in liver fibrosis for hepatocellular carcinoma prevention [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3031.

Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MRI) Versus the Standard of Care Imaging in the Diagnosis of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

OBJECTIVE

To compare positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to the standard of care imaging (SCI) for the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) in primary abdominopelvic malignancies.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Identifying PC impacts prognosis and management of multiple cancer types.

METHODS

Adult subjects were prospectively and consecutively enrolled from April 2019 to January 2021. Inclusion criteria were: 1) acquisition of whole-body contrast-enhanced (CE) 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/MRI, 2) pathologically confirmed primary abdominopelvic malignancies. Exclusion criteria were: 1) greater than 4 weeks interval between SCI and PET/MRI, 2) unavailable follow-up. SCI consisted of whole-body CE PET/computed tomography (CT) with diagnostic quality CT, and/or CE-CT of the abdomen and pelvis, and/or CE-MRI of the abdomen±pelvis. If available, pathology or surgical findings served as the reference standard, otherwise, imaging followup was used. When SCI and PET/MRI results disagreed, medical records were checked for management changes. Follow-up data were collected until August 2021.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-four subjects were included, 85 (52%) were female, and the median age was 60 years (interquartile range 50-69). At a subject level, PET/MRI had higher sensitivity (0.97, 95% CI 0.86-1.00) than SCI (0.54, 95% CI 0.37-0.71), P < 0.001, without a difference in specificity, of 0.95 (95% CI 0.90-0.98) for PET/MRI and 0.98 (95% CI 0.93-1.00) for SCI, P ¼ 0.250. PET/MRI and SCI results disagreed in 19 cases. In 5/19 (26%) of the discordant cases, PET/MRI findings consistent with PC missed on SCI led to management changes.

CONCLUSION

PET/MRI improves detection of PC compared with SCI which frequently changes management.

Molecular MRI quantification of extracellular aldehyde pairs for early detection of liver fibrogenesis and response to treatment

Liver fibrosis plays a critical role in the evolution of most chronic liver diseases and is characterized by a buildup of extracellular matrix, which can progress to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver failure, or death. Now, there are no noninvasive methods available to accurately assess disease activity (fibrogenesis) to sensitively detect early onset of fibrosis or to detect early response to treatment. Here, we hypothesized that extracellular allysine aldehyde (LysAld) pairs formed by collagen oxidation during active fibrosis could be a target for assessing fibrogenesis with a molecular probe. We showed that molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using an extracellular probe targeting these LysAld pairs acts as a noninvasive biomarker of fibrogenesis and demonstrated its high sensitivity and specificity in detecting fibrogenesis in toxin- and dietary-induced mouse models, a cholestasis rat model of liver fibrogenesis, and in human fibrotic liver tissues. Quantitative molecular MRI was highly correlated with fibrogenesis markers and enabled noninvasive detection of early onset fibrosis and response to antifibrotic treatment, showing high potential for clinical translation.

Dual Hydrazine-Equipped Turn-On Manganese-Based Probes for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Liver Fibrogenesis

Liver fibrogenesis is accompanied by upregulation of lysyl oxidase enzymes, which catalyze oxidation of lysine ε-amino groups on the extracellular matrix proteins to form the aldehyde containing amino acid allysine (LysAld). Here, we describe the design and synthesis of novel manganese-based MRI probes with high signal amplification for imaging liver fibrogenesis. Rational design of a series of stable hydrazine-equipped manganese MRI probes gives Mn-2CHyd with the highest affinity and turn-on relaxivity (4-fold) upon reaction with LysAld. A dynamic PET-MRI study using [52Mn]Mn-2CHyd showed low liver uptake of the probe in healthy mice. The ability of the probe to detect liver fibrogenesis was then demonstrated in vivo in CCl4-injured mice. This study enables further development and application of manganese-based hydrazine-equipped probes for imaging liver fibrogenesis.

Supporting Patients with Cancer after Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

In the context of cancer, whether or not to choose pregnancy termination represents a difficult and multifaceted decision. In this editorial, members of The Oncologist editorial team attempt to contextualize the potential implications of the recent Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organizationfor patients with cancer.

Improving the Therapeutic Efficacy of Sorafenib for Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Repurposing Disulfiram

Background

Sorafenib, a kinase inhibitor, is a standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but provides only a limited survival benefit. Disulfiram (DSF), a drug for treating alcoholism and a chelator of copper (Cu), forms a complex with Cu (DSF/Cu). DSF/Cu is a potent inducer of autophagic apoptosis of cancer stem cells, which can demonstrate drug resistance. Thus, we hypothesized that DSF/Cu could increase the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib by targeting hepatic cancer stem cells.

Methods

The synergistic effect of DSF/Cu and sorafenib on human HCC cell lines was assessed by cell viability MTT assay. Changes in stemness gene expression in HCC cells were investigated by assessing the presence of hepatic cancer stem cells (HCSCs) (defined as ALDH+ cells) using flow cytometry, sphere formation ability as an index of in vitro tumorigenicity, and expression of stemness gene-encoded proteins by western blot. Autophagic apoptosis and the ERK signaling pathway were also assessed by western blot. Most importantly, the in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of DSF/Cu and sorafenib was tested using orthotopic HCC xenografts in mice.

Results

Compared with sorafenib alone, DSF/Cu + sorafenib synergistically inhibited proliferation of all HCC cell lines, decreased the stemness of HCC cells, and increased the autophagy and apoptosis of HCC cells. The mechanism by which DSF/Cu mediated these phenomena with sorafenib was sustained activation of the ERK pathway. The combination of DSF/Cu (formed with endogenous Cu2+) and sorafenib was significantly more effective than sorafenib alone in inhibiting the growth of orthotopic HCC xenografts in mice. This in vivo anti-tumor efficacy was associated with decreased stemness in treated HCC tumors.

Conclusions

DSF/Cu and sorafenib can synergistically and effectively treat HCC by targeting HCSCs in vitro and in vivo. Our data provide a foundation for clinical translation.

Hepatocellular carcinoma chemoprevention by targeting the angiotensin-converting enzyme and EGFR transactivation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of death among cirrhotic patients, for which chemopreventive strategies are lacking. Recently, we developed a simple human cell-based system modeling a clinical prognostic liver signature (PLS) predicting liver disease progression and HCC risk. In a previous study, we applied our cell-based system for drug discovery and identified captopril, an approved angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, as a candidate compound for HCC chemoprevention. Here, we explored ACE as a therapeutic target for HCC chemoprevention. Captopril reduced liver fibrosis and effectively prevented liver disease progression toward HCC development in a diethylnitrosamine (DEN) rat cirrhosis model and a diet-based rat model for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis–induced (NASH-induced) hepatocarcinogenesis. RNA-Seq analysis of cirrhotic rat liver tissues uncovered that captopril suppressed the expression of pathways mediating fibrogenesis, inflammation, and carcinogenesis, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Mechanistic data in liver disease models uncovered a cross-activation of the EGFR pathway by angiotensin. Corroborating the clinical translatability of the approach, captopril significantly reversed the HCC high-risk status of the PLS in liver tissues of patients with advanced fibrosis. Captopril effectively prevents fibrotic liver disease progression toward HCC development in preclinical models and is a generic and safe candidate drug for HCC chemoprevention.

Abstract 255: Peroxidasin deficiency recruits pro-healing macrophages into the liver and inhibits NAFLD progression to HCC

Introduction: During liver fibrosis, tissue repair mechanisms replace necrotic tissue with highly stabilized extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. ECM stabilization influences the speed of tissue recovery. Here, we used a mouse model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to study the function of peroxidasin (PXDN), a peroxidase that uses H2O2 to cross-link collagen IV, during liver fibrosis progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Method: Pxdn-/- and Pxdn+/+ mice were fed with a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined high-fat diet (CDAHFD) for 16 weeks to create a NAFLD-HCC preclinical model. Liver histology, collagen content, flow cytometry, immunostaining of immune cells, RNA-seq, and liver function tests were analyzed. In vivo imaging of liver reactive oxygen species (ROS) was performed using a redox-active iron complex, Fe-PyC3A.

Results: Using Fe-PyC3A as an MRI contrast agent, we detected a higher content of ROS in Pxdn-/- livers (healthy) that was not necessarily directly toxic but could activate hypoxia-related molecular pathways. Genome-wide expression analysis of liver tissue and differential gene expression (DGE) combined with Gene Ontology (GO) analysis identified significant upregulation of genes associated with hypoxia and TNFα signaling pathways already in Pxdn-/- sham livers (without injury). In addition, we observed an upregulation of genes involved in the innate immune response, leukocyte activation, and chemotaxis. After 16 weeks of CDAHFD, gross analysis of collected liver showed no HCC nodule formation in Pxdn-/- mice while 60% of the WT mice had HCC tumors. Collagen deposition showed less collagen accumulation in Pxdn-/- mice. Flow cytometry of macrophages showed Pxdn-/- mice had increased pro-healing M2 macrophages recruitment in early- and mid-stage NAFLD (4 weeks and 8 weeks on CDAHFD) compared to WT controls. In addition, we observed a significant decrease in the number of CD3+ T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in the late-stage of NAFLD in Pxdn KO mice. DGE analysis revealed that IL-12 is highly expressed in Pxdn-/- injured livers. Additionally, multiple other T cell-related molecules such as IL-10, IL-6, CCL2, IL-7, and CD4 were elevated in Pxdn-/- injured liver. Elevation of these cytokines is an indicator for higher recruitment of pro-healing and anti-HCC macrophage to the site of injury.

Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that PXDN deficiency is associated with the induction of the hypoxia and TNFα signaling pathways and the recruitment of pro-healing and anti-HCC macrophages to the liver. This results in significantly decreased collagen stabilization during liver fibrosis and accelerates fibrosis reversal. In addition, recruited macrophages-controlled T cell response and inhibited HCC formation in Pxdn-/- mice.

Citation Format: Mozhdeh Sojoodi, Stephen C. Barrett, Derek J. Erstad, Shadi Salloum, Shijia Zhu, Tongqi Qian, Selene Colon, Eric Gale, Veronica Clavijo Jordan, Yongtao Wang, Shen Li, Michael Lanuti, Lawrence Zukerberg, Peter Caravan, Yujin Hoshida, Raymond T. Chung, Gautam Bhave, Georg M. Lauer, Bryan C. Fuchs, Kenneth K. Tanabe. Peroxidasin deficiency recruits pro-healing macrophages into the liver and inhibits NAFLD progression to HCC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 255.

Peroxidasin Deficiency Re-programs Macrophages Toward Pro-fibrolysis Function and Promotes Collagen Resolution in Liver

BACKGROUND & AIMS

During liver fibrosis, tissue repair mechanisms replace necrotic tissue with highly stabilized extracellular matrix proteins. Extracellular matrix stabilization influences the speed of tissue recovery. Here, we studied the expression and function of peroxidasin (PXDN), a peroxidase that uses hydrogen peroxide to cross-link collagen IV during liver fibrosis progression and regression.

METHODS

Mouse models of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis patients were analyzed for the expression of PXDN in liver and serum. Pxdn^-/- and Pxdn^+/+ mice were either treated with carbon tetrachloride for 6 weeks to generate toxin-induced fibrosis or fed with a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined high-fat diet for 16 weeks to create nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis. Liver histology, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, collagen content, flowcytometry and immunostaining of immune cells, RNA-sequencing, and liver function tests were analyzed. In vivo imaging of liver reactive oxygen species (ROS) was performed using a redox-active iron complex, Fe-PyC3A.

RESULTS

In human and mouse cirrhotic tissue, PXDN is expressed by stellate cells and is secreted into fibrotic areas. In patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, serum levels of PXDN increased significantly. In both mouse models of liver fibrosis, PXDN deficiency resulted in elevated monocyte and pro-fibrolysis macrophage recruitment into fibrotic bands and caused decreased accumulation of cross-linked collagens. In Pxdn^-/- mice, collagen fibers were loosely organized, an atypical phenotype that is reversible upon macrophage depletion. Elevated ROS in Pxdn^-/- livers was observed, which can result in activation of hypoxic signaling cascades and may affect signaling pathways involved in macrophage polarization such as TNF-a via NF-kB. Fibrosis resolution in Pxdn^-/- mice was associated with significant decrease in collagen content and improved liver function.

CONCLUSION

PXDN deficiency is associated with increased ROS levels and a hypoxic liver microenvironment that can regulate recruitment and programming of pro-resolution macrophages. Our data implicate the importance of the liver microenvironment in macrophage programming during liver fibrosis and suggest a novel pathway that is involved in the resolution of scar tissue.

A human liver cell-based system modeling a clinical prognostic liver signature for therapeutic discovery

Chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are life-threatening diseases with limited treatment options. The lack of clinically relevant/tractable experimental models hampers therapeutic discovery. Here, we develop a simple and robust human liver cell-based system modeling a clinical prognostic liver signature (PLS) predicting long-term liver disease progression toward HCC. Using the PLS as a readout, followed by validation in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis/fibrosis/HCC animal models and patient-derived liver spheroids, we identify nizatidine, a histamine receptor H2 (HRH2) blocker, for treatment of advanced liver disease and HCC chemoprevention. Moreover, perturbation studies combined with single cell RNA-Seq analyses of patient liver tissues uncover hepatocytes and HRH2+, CLEC5Ahigh, MARCOlow liver macrophages as potential nizatidine targets. The PLS model combined with single cell RNA-Seq of patient tissues enables discovery of urgently needed targets and therapeutics for treatment of advanced liver disease and cancer prevention.

Abstract 1309: HSV1 oncolytic therapy for breast cancer meningeal metastases

Background: Meningeal metastasis is a fatal complication of breast cancer which results when cancer cells seed in the subarachnoid space. Subsequent tumor growth in the leptomeninges presents severe neurological complications of the cranial nerves, cerebrum and spinal cord limiting life expectancy to less than 4 months. Currently there is no cure. Aggressive multimodal therapies such as radiation, systemic and intra-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) chemotherapy are ineffective. Chemotherapy is cleared rapidly from the CSF while doses deemed therapeutic are highly toxic. Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (OHSV1) was selected as a potential therapeutic in this regard. Destruction of cancer cells by lytic virus replication is under clinical investigation where multiple virus replication cycles amplify the injected dose. We present OHSV1 therapeutics in a murine model of meningeal metastases where disease progression resembles that in the clinic.

Methods: Meningeal metastases were induced in nude Balb/c mice by stereotaxic injection of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells into the right lateral ventricle of the brain. OHSV1 (1x10^8 pfu) was injected into the lateral ventricle on either day 9, 12 or 16 to target the early, intermediate and late disease phases of tumor growth in the model. Virus replication kinetics, tumor response, neurological and physical changes, and survival were studied for each treatment group. Virus replication was imaged with 18F-FHBG-PET and Fluc bioluminescence while tumor response to oncolytic HSV1 was imaged with Gd-MRI and Rluc-bioluminescence. The brains were studied ex vivo to confirm in vivo scans, virus with LacZ and antibody to viral TK, and titer with plaque assay.

Results: A remarkable reduction metastatic growth to OHSV1 was evident in the early and intermediate groups where tumor growth was inhibited in some mice while existing tumors regressed in others. Tumor load in the base of the brain and spinal cord seen in control mice was markedly reduced in the two groups highlighted by minimal contrast uptake on Gd-MRI. As such the onset of neurological symptoms (bradykinesia, ataxia and paralysis) was delayed accompanied by weight gain. Inhibition of tumor growth in the late treatment group was relatively modest. Virus replication was evident as waves over the course of treatment in the three groups where the peaks represented virions released at the completion of a replication cycle. In vitro analyses correlated with in vivo observations. Early and intermediate OHSV1 therapy extended survival 12 and 7 days beyond the control group (day 21), while late OHSV1 therapy extended survival beyond 4 days.

Conclusion: OHSV1 is therapeutic against life threatening disease progression when administered at early and intermediate stage disease with potential to target late stage disease. This treatment holds promise for breast cancer meningeal metastases that can be translated to the clinic.

Citation Format: Darshini Kuruppu, Deepak Bhere, Khalid Shah, Anna-Liisa Brownell, Umar Mahmood, Kenneth K. Tanabe. HSV1 oncolytic therapy for breast cancer meningeal metastases [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 1309.

Hepatectomy for Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Resection Margin Width Does Not Predict Survival

BACKGROUND

The survival benefit of negative margins for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been demonstrated. However, there is no consensus regarding the optimal resection margin width. We assessed the impact of hepatic resection margin width for solitary HCC on overall (OS), recurrence-free (RFS), and liver-specific recurrence-free survival (LSRFS).

METHODS

Clinicopathologic data were retrospectively collected for solitary HCC patients who underwent a negative margin hepatectomy (1992-2015). Margin width was categorized in tertiles as "narrow" (≤ 0.3 cm), "intermediate" (0.31-1.0 cm), or "wide" (> 1.0 cm). Survival was compared among groups.

RESULTS

Of the 178 included patients, most were male (76%); median age, MELD score, and tumor size were 63 years, 8, and 5.2 cm, respectively; 93% were Child-Pugh class A. Median margin width was 0.5 cm. Median follow-up and OS were 47.8 months and 76.7 months, respectively. There was no significant survival difference among narrow, intermediate, and wide margin groups with a median OS of 53 months (IQR 21-not reached [NR]), 74 months (IQR 14-138), and 97 months (IQR 37-142) (p = 0.87), respectively. Median RFS was 33.0 months; again, there was no difference among narrow, intermediate, and wide margin groups with a median of 31 months (IQR 18-NR), 45 months (IQR 14-NR), and 27 months (IQR 11-NR), respectively (p = 0.66). Median LSRFS was 63.0 months (IQR 14-NR) with no difference among groups (p = 0.87). In multivariate analyses, margin width was not associated with OS (p = 0.77), RFS (p = 0.74), or LSRFS (p = 0.92). Findings were similar in all subgroups analyzed (≤ 5 cm, > 5 cm, microvascular invasion, T1, T2/T3, anatomical or non-anatomical resection, major or minor hepatectomy).

CONCLUSIONS

Narrow margins appear to be oncologically safe and the feasibility of achieving wide margins should not determine resectability.

Abstract 108: Inhibiting methionine aminopeptidase 2 prevents liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: The methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) pathway, a key regulator of angiogenesis progress, has been implicated in common pathologic conditions including diabetes, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cancer. MetAP2 inhibition suppresses cancer cell proliferation and xenograft tumor growth. In this study we investigated the hypothesis that MetAP2 inhibition can prevent liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in rat models by inhibiting neo-vascularization.

Methods: Male Wistar rats received weekly intraperitoneal injections of DEN at 50 mg/kg for 18 weeks. After 8 weeks, rats were randomly assigned to treatment with one of two MetAP2 inhibitors ZGN1345 or ZGN1136 versus control vehicle (n = 10 per group): 1) water (control); or 2) ZGN-1345 (3 mg/kg) by daily gavage; 3) 0.15% DMSO (control); or 4) ZGN-1136 (0.3 mg/kg) by daily subcutaneous injection. All rats were sacrificed at 19 weeks. Serum chemistries were performed to evaluate the liver function. Liver fibrosis was assessed with hydroxyproline measurement, Sirius Red and H&E staining with review by a liver pathologist. Liver tumor nodules were recorded and analyzed with IHC staining.

Results: ZGN1345 treatment improved ALT and AST on DEN-induced cirrhosis in rat models. Both inhibitors improved the liver fibrosis, including lowering collagen deposition (hydroxyproline measurement and amount of collagen measured with Sirius Red staining) and improving the Ishak fibrosis score. Both inhibitors reduced the number of tumor nodules and suppressed PCNA expression in the liver. More importantly, both inhibitors suppressed neo-vascularization and angiogenesis by inhibiting VEGF expression.

Conclusions: MetAP2 inhibitors ZGN1345 and ZGN1136 effectively prevent DEN-induced liver fibrosis and HCC in rat models, potentially by inhibiting neo-vascularization. These data suggest that inhibition of MetAP2 may represent a new prevention strategy for HCC.

Table. Effect of ZGN1345 and ZGN1136 on rat liver fibrosis and HCC.GroupsASTALTHydroxyprolineCollagen (%)Fibrosis score rateNodule numbers (&gt;5 mm)PCNA expressionVEGF expressionWater (Control), PO100.0 ± 35.5100.0 ± 29.5100.0 ± 39.913.1 ± 3.8F4:25.0%,F3:37.5%,F2:37.5%27.4 ± 14.2100.0± 36.4100.0 ± 44.6ZGN-1345, PO45.5 ± 11.1 ***44.7 ± 14.3 ***36.9 ± 10.5 ***4.7 ± 2.2 ***F2:11.1%,F1:77.8%,F0:11.1%5.7 ± 3.9 ***40.1 ± 13.3 ***21.9 ± 9.8 ***0.15% DMSO (Control), SC100.0 ± 28.1100.0 ± 21.1100.0 ± 63.99.2 ± 3.5F3:42.9%,F2:42.9%,F1:14.3%41.1 ± 40.2100.0 ± 22.8100.0 ± 29.4ZGN-1136, SC89.1 ± 11.3107.1 ± 37.242.9 ± 8.6 *2.9 ± 1.7 **F2:14.3%,F1:42.9%,F0:42.9%4.1 ± 2.8 *29.9 ± 9.4 ***52.3 ± 21.6 ***

Citation Format: YONGTAO WANG, Mozhdeh Sojoodi, Guoliang Qiao, Zenan Lin, Stephen C. Barrett, Lawrence Zukerberg, Michael Lanuti, Motaz Qadan, Kenneth K. Tanabe. Inhibiting methionine aminopeptidase 2 prevents liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 108.

Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Liver Fibrosis and Fibrogenesis Is Not Altered by Inflammation

METHODS

Three groups of mice that develop either mild type 2 inflammation and fibrosis (wild type), severe fibrosis with exacerbated type 2 inflammation (Il10-/-Il12b-/-Il13ra2-/-), or minimal fibrosis with marked type 1 inflammation (Il4ra∂/∂) after infection with S. mansoni were imaged using both probes for determination of signal enhancement. Schistosoma mansoni-infected wild-type mice developed chronic liver fibrosis.

RESULTS

The liver MR signal enhancement after either probe administration was significantly higher in S. mansoni-infected wild-type mice compared with naive animals. The S. mansoni-infected Il4ra∂/∂ mice presented with little liver signal enhancement after probe injection despite the presence of substantial inflammation. Schistosoma mansoni-infected Il10-/-Il12b-/-Il13ra2-/- mice presented with marked fibrosis, which correlated to increased signal enhancement after injection of either probe.

CONCLUSIONS

Both MR probes, EP-3533 and Gd-Hyd, were specific for fibrosis in this model of chronic liver disease regardless of the presence or severity of the underlying inflammation. These results, in addition to previous findings, show the potential application of both molecular MR probes for detection and quantification of fibrosis from various etiologies.

The Clinical Management of Cholangiocarcinoma in the United States and Europe: A Comprehensive and Evidence-Based Comparison of Guidelines

BACKGROUND

The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma has doubled over the last 15 years with a similar rise in mortality, which provides the impetus for standardization of evidence-based care through the establishment of guidelines.

METHODS

We compared available guidelines on the clinical management of cholangiocarcinoma in the United States and Europe, which included the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) and the International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) guidelines.

RESULTS

There is discordance in the recommendation for biopsy in patients with potentially resectable cholangiocarcinoma and in the recommendation for use of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans. Similarly, the recommendation for preoperative biliary drainage for extrahepatic and perihilar cholangiocarcinoma in the setting of jaundice is inconsistent across all four guidelines. The BILCAP (capecitabine) and ABC-02 trials (gemcitabine with cisplatin) have provided the strongest evidence for systemic therapy in the adjuvant and palliative settings, respectively, but all guidelines have refrained from setting them as standard of care, given heterogeneity in the study cohorts and ABC-02's negative intention-to-treat results.

CONCLUSIONS

Future progress in enhancing survivorship of patients with cholangiocarcinoma would likely entail improvements in diagnostic biomarkers and novel systemic therapies. Based on recent results from studies of targeted therapy, future iterations of the guidelines will likely incorporate molecular profiling.

Open hepatic resection in the elderly at two tertiary referral centers

BACKGROUND

Surgeons are being increasingly called upon to operate on the very elderly. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes following hepatectomy in patients ≥80 years of age at two tertiary care centers.

METHODS

All adult patients who underwent liver resection from 2001 to 2017 were included. Primary outcome was 90-day postoperative mortality. Secondary outcomes included 30-day postoperative mortality and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Between 2001 and 2017, 2397 patients underwent liver resection. On unadjusted analysis, patients ≥80 years of age had higher rates of 90-day mortality (13.3% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.001), 30-day mortality (5.6% vs. 1.8%, p = 0.01), MI (7.9% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.04), and UTI (10.0% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.02). On multivariable analysis, age ≥80 years was significantly associated with 90-day postoperative mortality (OR 4.51, 95%CI 2.11-9.67, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Across these two major referral tertiary care centers, very elderly patients had higher rates of 90-day and 30-day postoperative mortality on both unadjusted and adjusted analyses.

Targeting clinical epigenetic reprogramming for chemoprevention of metabolic and viral hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fastest-growing cause of cancer-related mortality with chronic viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as major aetiologies. Treatment options for HCC are unsatisfactory and chemopreventive approaches are absent. Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) results in epigenetic alterations driving HCC risk and persisting following cure. Here, we aimed to investigate epigenetic modifications as targets for liver cancer chemoprevention.

DESIGN

Liver tissues from patients with NASH and CHC were analysed by ChIP-Seq (H3K27ac) and RNA-Seq. The liver disease-specific epigenetic and transcriptional reprogramming in patients was modelled in a liver cell culture system. Perturbation studies combined with a targeted small molecule screen followed by in vivo and ex vivo validation were used to identify chromatin modifiers and readers for HCC chemoprevention.

RESULTS

In patients, CHC and NASH share similar epigenetic and transcriptomic modifications driving cancer risk. Using a cell-based system modelling epigenetic modifications in patients, we identified chromatin readers as targets to revert liver gene transcription driving clinical HCC risk. Proof-of-concept studies in a NASH-HCC mouse model showed that the pharmacological inhibition of chromatin reader bromodomain 4 inhibited liver disease progression and hepatocarcinogenesis by restoring transcriptional reprogramming of the genes that were epigenetically altered in patients.

CONCLUSION

Our results unravel the functional relevance of metabolic and virus-induced epigenetic alterations for pathogenesis of HCC development and identify chromatin readers as targets for chemoprevention in patients with chronic liver diseases.

Risk Factors, Pathogenesis, and Strategies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prevention: Emphasis on Secondary Prevention and Its Translational Challenges

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated mortality globally. Given the limited therapeutic efficacy in advanced HCC, prevention of HCC carcinogenesis could serve as an effective strategy. Patients with chronic fibrosis due to viral or metabolic etiologies are at a high risk of developing HCC. Primary prevention seeks to eliminate cancer predisposing risk factors while tertiary prevention aims to prevent HCC recurrence. Secondary prevention targets patients with baseline chronic liver disease. Various epidemiological and experimental studies have identified candidates for secondary prevention-both etiology-specific and generic prevention strategies-including statins, aspirin, and anti-diabetic drugs. The introduction of multi-cell based omics analysis along with better characterization of the hepatic microenvironment will further facilitate the identification of targets for prevention. In this review, we will summarize HCC risk factors, pathogenesis, and discuss strategies of HCC prevention. We will focus on secondary prevention and also discuss current challenges in translating experimental work into clinical practice.

Size of the Largest Colorectal Liver Metastasis Is an Independent Prognostic Factor in the Neoadjuvant Setting

BACKGROUND

Up to 50% of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer develop metastases during the course of their disease. Surgical resection remains the only curative treatment option for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), frequently in conjunction with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This study sought to determine if the pathologic size of the largest CRLM impacted disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) in the setting of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODS

All patients diagnosed with CRLM who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy for liver resection at the Massachusetts General Hospital between 2004 and 2016 were reviewed. The median size of the largest liver lesion was used as the cutoff for grouped evaluation.

RESULTS

A total of 214 patients were included. Median follow-up was 100.0 mo (interquartile range 68.9-133.8 mo). The median size of the largest lesion was 21 mm. Patients with lesions ≥21 mm exhibited significantly worse median DFS (12.5 mo versus 16.6 mo; P = 0.033) and median DSS (71.3 mo versus 103.5 mo; P = 0.038). CRLM lesions ≥21 mm were associated with poorer DFS on univariate analysis (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.95 P = 0.033) and multivariable analysis (HR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.07-2.35, P = 0.023). CRLM lesions ≥21 mm were also independently associated with poorer DSS after liver resection on univariate analysis (HR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.02-2.24; P = 0.037) and multivariable analysis (HR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.27-3.07; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The size of the largest CRLM is an important prognostic factor for both DFS and DSS after neoadjuvant therapy and serves as a useful indicator of tumor biology.

Collagen-targeted molecular imaging in diffuse liver diseases

Liver fibrosis is a common pathway shared by all progressive chronic liver diseases (CLD) regardless of the underlying etiologies. With liver biopsy being the gold standard in assessing fibrosis degree, there is a large unmet clinical need to develop non-invasive imaging tools that can directly and repeatedly quantify fibrosis throughout the liver for a more accurate assessment of disease burden, progression, and treatment response. Type I collagen is a particularly attractive target for molecular imaging as its excessive deposition is specific to fibrosis, and it is present in concentrations suitable for many imaging modalities. Novel molecular MRI contrast agents designed to bind with collagen provide direct quantification of collagen deposition, which have been validated across animal species and liver injury models. Collagen-targeted molecular imaging probes hold great promise not only as a tool for initial staging and surveillance of fibrosis progression, but also as a marker of fibrosis regression in drug trials.

Using Smartphones to Capture Novel Recovery Metrics After Cancer Surgery

Importance

Patient-generated health data captured from smartphone sensors have the potential to better quantify the physical outcomes of surgery. The ability of these data to discriminate between postoperative trends in physical activity remains unknown.

Objective

To assess whether physical activity captured from smartphone accelerometer data can be used to describe postoperative recovery among patients undergoing cancer operations.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective observational cohort study was conducted from July 2017 to April 2019 in a single academic tertiary care hospital in the United States. Preoperatively, adults (age ≥18 years) who spoke English and were undergoing elective operations for skin, soft tissue, head, neck, and abdominal cancers were approached. Patients were excluded if they did not own a smartphone.

Exposures

Study participants downloaded an application that collected smartphone accelerometer data continuously for 1 week preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end points were trends in daily exertional activity and the ability to achieve at least 60 minutes of daily exertional activity after surgery among patients with vs without a clinically significant postoperative event. Postoperative events were defined as complications, emergency department presentations, readmissions, reoperations, and mortality.

Results

A total of 139 individuals were approached. In the 62 enrolled patients, who were followed up for a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 147 (77-179) days, there were no preprocedural differences between patients with vs without a postoperative event. Seventeen patients (27%) experienced a postoperative event. These patients had longer operations than those without a postoperative event (median [IQR], 225 [152-402] minutes vs 107 [68-174] minutes; P < .001), as well as greater blood loss (median [IQR], 200 [35-515] mL vs 25 [5-100] mL; P = .006) and more follow-up visits (median [IQR], 2 [2-4] visits vs 1 [1-2] visits; P = .002). Compared with mean baseline daily exertional activity, patients with a postoperative event had lower activity at week 1 (difference, -41.6 [95% CI, -75.1 to -8.0] minutes; P = .02), week 3 (difference, -40.0 [95% CI, -72.3 to -3.6] minutes; P = .03), week 5 (difference, -39.6 [95% CI, -69.1 to -10.1] minutes; P = .01), and week 6 (difference, -36.2 [95% CI, -64.5 to -7.8] minutes; P = .01) postoperatively. Fewer of these patients were able to achieve 60 minutes of daily exertional activity in the 6 weeks postoperatively (proportions: week 1, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.31-0.49]; P < .001; week 2, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.40-0.58]; P = .003; week 3, 0.39 [95% CI, 0.30-0.48]; P < .001; week 4, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.38-0.57]; P < .001; week 5, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.42-0.60]; P < .001; week 6, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.68-0.79] vs 0.43 [95% CI, 0.33-0.52]; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

Smartphone accelerometer data can describe differences in postoperative physical activity among patients with vs without a postoperative event. These data help objectively quantify patient-centered surgical recovery, which have the potential to improve and promote shared decision-making, recovery monitoring, and patient engagement.

Patterns of Failure and the Need for Biliary Intervention in Resected Biliary Tract Cancers After Chemoradiation

BACKGROUND

This study assessed patterns of failure and rates of subsequent biliary intervention among patients with resected biliary tract cancers (BTCs) including gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) and extra- and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA and iCCA) treated with adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT).

METHODS

In this single-institution retrospective analysis of 80 patients who had GBC (n = 29), eCCA (n = 43), or iCCA (n = 8) treated with curative-intent resection and adjuvant CRT from 2007 to 2017, the median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy (range 36-65 Gy) with concurrent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy. All but two of the patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. The 2-year locoregional failure (LRF), 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS), and 2-year overall survival (OS), and univariate predictors of LRF, RFS, and OS were calculated for the entire cohort and for a subgroup excluding patients with iCCA (n = 72). The predictors of biliary interventions also were assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 80 patients (median follow-up period, 30.5 months; median OS, 33.9 months), 54.4% had American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage 1 or 2 disease, 57.1% were lymph node-positive, and 66.3% underwent margin-negative resection. For the entire cohort, 2-year LRF was 23.8%, 2-year RFS was  43.7%, and 2-year OS was 62.1%.  When patients with iCCA were excluded, the 2-year LRF was 22.6%, the 2-year RFS was 43.9%, and the 2-year OS was 59.2%. In the overall and subgroup univariate analyses, lymph node positivity was associated with greater LRF, whereas resection margin was not. Biliary intervention was required for 12 (63.2%) of the 19 patients with LRF versus 11 (18%) of the 61 patients without LRF (P < 0.001). Of the 12 patients with LRF who required biliary intervention, 4 died of biliary complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The LRF rates remained significant despite adjuvant CRT. Lymph node positivity may be associated with increased risk of LRF. Positive margins were not associated with greater LRF, suggesting that CRT may mitigate LRF risk for this group. An association between LRF and higher rates of subsequent biliary interventions was observed, which may yield significant morbidity. Novel strategies to decrease the rates of LRF should be considered.

Fibrotic Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy Predicts Survival in Pancreatic Cancer and Is Measurable with Collagen-Targeted Molecular MRI

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prognostic value of posttreatment fibrosis in human PDAC patients, and to compare a type I collagen targeted MRI probe, CM-101, to the standard contrast agent, Gd-DOTA, for their abilities to identify FOLFIRINOX-induced fibrosis in a murine model of PDAC.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Ninety-three chemoradiation-treated human PDAC samples were stained for fibrosis and outcomes evaluated. For imaging, C57BL/6 and FVB mice were orthotopically implanted with PDAC cells and FOLFIRINOX was administered. Mice were imaged with Gd-DOTA and CM-101.

RESULTS

In humans, post-chemoradiation PDAC tumor fibrosis was associated with longer overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) on multivariable analysis (OS P = 0.028, DFS P = 0.047). CPA increased the prognostic accuracy of a multivariable logistic regression model comprised of previously established PDAC risk factors [AUC CPA (-) = 0.76, AUC CPA (+) = 0.82]. In multiple murine orthotopic PDAC models, FOLFIRINOX therapy reduced tumor weight (P < 0.05) and increased tumor fibrosis by collagen staining (P < 0.05). CM-101 MR signal was significantly increased in fibrotic tumor regions. CM-101 signal retention was also increased in the more fibrotic FOLFIRINOX-treated tumors compared with untreated controls (P = 0.027), consistent with selective probe binding to collagen. No treatment-related differences were observed with Gd-DOTA imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

In humans, post-chemoradiation tumor fibrosis is associated with OS and DFS. In mice, our MR findings indicate that translation of collagen molecular MRI with CM-101 to humans might provide a novel imaging technique to monitor fibrotic response to therapy to assist with prognostication and disease management.

A Shifting Paradigm in Diagnosis and Management of Hepatic Adenoma

BACKGROUND

New insights into molecular pathogenesis of hepatocellular adenomas (HCA) have allowed sub-classification based on distinct genetic alterations and a fresh look at characterizations of natural history. Clinically, this is important in understanding risk factors for two feared complications: malignant transformation and hemorrhage.

METHODS

PubMed literature search for hepatocellular adenoma over all years, excluding case reports and articles focusing on multiple adenomas or adenomatosis.

RESULTS

The β-catenin exon 3 mutated HCA accounts for about 10% of all HCAs and is associated with the highest risk of malignant transformation. The HF1α subtype accounts for 30-40% of all HCAs and has the lowest risk of malignant transformation. Gender has also emerged as an increasingly important risk factor and males with HCA are at considerably higher risk of malignant transformation, regardless of tumor size. The increasing use of gadoxetic-enhanced MRI has allowed for improved differentiation of HCAs from focal nodular hyperplasia, as well as the identification of specific radiologic features of some subtypes, particularly the inflammatory and HF1α HCAs.

CONCLUSIONS

Classification of HCA by subtype has important implications for patient counseling and treatment given variable risks of malignant transformation and hemorrhage. Males and those with β-catenin exon 3 mutated HCAs are two groups who should always be counselled to undergo surgical resection. On the other hand, in the lower risk HF1α subtype observation is appropriate in lesions < 5 cm and may even be considered in larger lesions as longer follow-up data is aggregated and tumorigenesis is better understood.

Recent Developments and Therapeutic Strategies against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has emerged as a major cause of cancer deaths globally. The landscape of systemic therapy has recently changed, with six additional systemic agents either approved or awaiting approval for advanced stage HCC. While these agents have the potential to improve outcomes, a survival increase of 2-5 months remains poor and falls short of what has been achieved in many other solid tumor types. The roles of genomics, underlying cirrhosis, and optimal use of treatment strategies that include radiation, liver transplantation, and surgery remain unanswered. Here, we discuss new treatment opportunities, controversies, and future directions in managing HCC.

Surgical Oncologists and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Guiding Cancer Patients Effectively through Turbulence and Change

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed extraordinary demands from patients, providers, and health care systems. Despite this, surgical oncologists must maintain focus on providing high-quality, empathetic care for the almost 2 million patients nationally who will be diagnosed with operable cancer this year. The focus of hospitals is transitioning from initial COVID-19 preparedness activities to a more sustained approach to cancer care.

Methods

Editorial Board members provided observations of the implications of the pandemic on providing care to surgical oncology patients.

Results

Strategies are presented that have allowed institutions to successfully prepare for cancer care during COVID-19, as well as other strategies that will help hospitals and surgical oncologists manage anticipated challenges in the near term. Perspectives are provided on: (1) maintaining a safe environment for surgical oncology care; (2) redirecting the multidisciplinary model to guide surgical decisions; (3) harnessing telemedicine to accommodate requisite physical distancing; (4) understanding interactions between SARS CoV-2 and cancer therapy; (5) considering the ethical impact of professional guidelines for surgery prioritization; and (6) advocating for our patients who require oncologic surgery in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions

Until an effective vaccine becomes available for widespread use, it is imperative that surgical oncologists remain focused on providing optimal care for our cancer patients while managing the demands that the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impose on all of us.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Surgical Oncology: Preserving the Academic Mission

BACKGROUND

The global pandemic of respiratory disease cause by the novel human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has caused untold suffering, loss of life and upheaval in society. The pandemic has lead to massive redirection of health care resources to treat the surge of COVID-19 patients, and enforcement of social distancing to reduce the rate of transmission.

METHODS

Editorial Board members provided observations of the implications of the pandemic on academic surgical oncology.

RESULTS

Delivery of health care to other populations including cancer patients has been significantly disrupted. The implications both short term and long term threaten preservation of the academic mission in medicine at large, and certainly in the field of surgical oncology.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects on surgical oncology training, research and clinical trials are major.

Platelet and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios predict survival in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of the platelet (PLR) and neutrophil (NLR) to lymphocyte ratios for patients with resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases (CLM) was evaluated.

METHODS

Clinicopathologic data from patients who underwent hepatectomy for CLM at two tertiary care hospitals between 1995 and 2017 were collected. Blood counts were evaluated for prognostic significance.

RESULTS

151 patients met inclusion criteria. The median age was 58 years, 44% were female, and 58% had synchronous metastases. Median number of liver metastases was 2, and 59% of patients underwent lobectomy or extended lobectomy. On multivariable analysis, NLR ≥5 (HR 2.46 [1.08-5.60 CI], p = 0.032), PLR ≥ 220 (HR 2.10 [1.04-4.23 CI], p = 0.037), and greater than 2 liver metastases (HR 2.41 [1.06-5.45 CI], p = 0.035) were associated with reduced overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

PLR ≥ 220 and NLR ≥ 5 may have utility as preoperative prognostic markers for overall survival in patients with resectable CLM.

Advanced MRI of Liver Fibrosis and Treatment Response in a Rat Model of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Background Liver biopsy is the reference standard to diagnose nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) but is invasive with potential complications. Purpose To evaluate molecular MRI with type 1 collagen-specific probe EP-3533 and allysine-targeted fibrogenesis probe Gd-Hyd, MR elastography, and native T1 to characterize fibrosis and to assess treatment response in a rat model of NASH. Materials and Methods MRI was performed prospectively (June-November 2018) in six groups of male Wistar rats (a) age- and (b) weight-matched animals received standard chow (n = 12 per group); (c) received choline-deficient, l-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) for 6 weeks or (d) 9 weeks (n = 8 per group); (e) were fed 6 weeks of CDAHFD and switched to standard chow for 3 weeks (n = 12); (f) were fed CDAHFD for 9 weeks with daily treatment of elafibranor beginning at week 6 (n = 14). Differences in imaging measurements and tissue analyses among groups were tested with one-way analysis of variance. The ability of each imaging measurement to stage fibrosis was quantified by using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) with quantitative digital pathology (collagen proportionate area [CPA]) as reference standard. Optimal cutoff values for distinguishing advanced fibrosis were used to assess treatment response. Results AUC for distinguishing fibrotic (CPA >4.8%) from nonfibrotic (CPA ≤4.8%) livers was 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91, 1.00) for EP-3533, followed by native T1, Gd-Hyd, and MR elastography with AUCs of 0.90 (95% CI: 0.83, 0.98), 0.84 (95% CI: 0.74, 0.95), and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.51, 0.79), respectively. AUCs for discriminating advanced fibrosis (CPA >10.3%) were 0.86 (95% CI: 0.76, 0.97), 0.96 (95% CI: 0.90, 1.01), 0.84 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.98), and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.63, 0.86) for EP-3533, Gd-Hyd, MR elastography, and native T1, respectively. Gd-Hyd MRI had the highest accuracy (24 of 26, 92%; 95% CI: 75%, 99%) in identifying responders and nonresponders in the treated groups compared with MR elastography (23 of 26, 88%; 95% CI: 70%, 98%), EP-3533 (20 of 26, 77%; 95% CI: 56%, 91%), and native T1 (14 of 26, 54%; 95% CI: 33%, 73%). Conclusion Collagen-targeted molecular MRI most accurately detected early onset of fibrosis, whereas the fibrogenesis probe Gd-Hyd proved most accurate for detecting treatment response. © RSNA, 2020 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Epigallocatechin Gallate Induces Hepatic Stellate Cell Senescence and Attenuates Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly morbid condition with lack of effective treatment options. HCC arises from chronically inflamed and damaged liver tissue; therefore, chemoprevention may be a useful strategy to reduce HCC incidence. Several reports suggest that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), extracted from green tea, can suppress liver inflammation and fibrosis in animal models, but its role in HCC chemoprevention is not well established. In this study, male Wistar rats were injected with diethylnitrosamine at 50 mg/kg for 18 weeks to induce cirrhosis and HCC, and EGCG was given in drinking water at a concentration of 0.02%. Clinically achievable dosing of EGCG was well-tolerated in diethylnitrosamine-injured rats and was associated with improved serum liver markers including alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and total bilirubin, and reduced HCC tumor formation. Transcriptomic analysis of diethylnitrosamine-injured hepatic tissue was notable for increased expression of genes associated with the Hoshida high risk HCC gene signature, which was prevented with EGCG treatment. EGCG treatment also inhibited fibrosis progression, which was associated with inactivation of hepatic stellate cells and induction of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. In conclusion, EGCG administered at clinically safe doses exhibited both chemopreventive and antifibrotic effects in a rat diethylnitrosamine liver injury model.

Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Unresectable/Locally Recurrent Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) treated with hypofractionated proton or photon radiation therapy (HF-RT).

METHODS

We retrospectively identified 66 patients with ICC who were treated with HF-RT from 2008 to 2018. Median age at RT was 76 years (range 30-92), including 27 patients (41%) aged ≥ 80 years. Median RT dose was 58.05 Gy (range 37.5-67.5), all delivered in 15 daily fractions. Thirty-two patients received proton RT and 34 patients received photon RT.

RESULTS

Median follow-up times from diagnosis and RT start were 21 months and 14 months, respectively. In total, five patients (7.6%) developed local failure. The 2-year outcomes were 84% local control (LC) and 58% OS. Among the 51 patients treated with definitive intent, the 2-year LC rate was 93% and the OS rate was 62%. On multivariate analysis for LC, older age was associated with a lower risk of local failure [hazard ratio (HR) 0.91; p = 0.02], while prior surgery (HR 16.5; p = 0.04) and macrovascular invasion (HR 123.93; p = 0.02) were independently associated with an increased risk of local failure. On multivariate analysis for OS, female sex (HR 0.33; p = 0.001) and prior chemotherapy (HR 0.38; p = 0.003) remained significantly associated with OS. On multivariate analysis for OS, compared with photon RT, there was a trend towards improved survival with proton RT (HR 0.50; p = 0.05). The rate of overall grade 3 + toxicity was 11%. One patient developed radiation-induced liver disease and was treated with corticosteroids.

CONCLUSIONS

HF-RT yields high rates of local control and is an effective modality to optimize biliary control for unresectable/locally recurrent ICC.

Management implications of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance in untreated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is associated with a poor prognosis with surgical resection offering the best chance for long-term survival and potential cure. However, in up to 36% of patients who undergo surgery, more extensive disease is found at time of operation requiring cancellation of surgery. PET/MR is a novel hybrid technology that might improve local and whole-body staging in ICC patients, potentially influencing clinical management. This study was aimed to investigate the possible management implications of PET/MR, relative to conventional imaging, in patients affected by untreated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODS

Retrospective review of the clinicopathologic features of 37 patients with iCCC, who underwent PET/MR between September 2015 and August 2018, was performed to investigate the management implications that PET/MR had exerted on the affected patients, relative to conventional imaging.

RESULTS

Of the 37 patients enrolled, median age 63.5 years, 20 (54%) were female. The same day PET/CT was performed in 26 patients. All patients were iCCC-treatment-naïve. Conventional imaging obtained as part of routine clinical care demonstrated early-stage resectable disease for 15 patients and advanced stage disease beyond the scope of surgical resection for 22. PET/MR modified the clinical management of 11/37 (29.7%) patients: for 5 patients (13.5%), the operation was cancelled due to identification of additional disease, while 4 "inoperable" patients (10.8%) underwent an operation. An additional 2 patients (5.4%) had a significant change in their operative plan based on PET/MR.

CONCLUSIONS

When compared with standard imaging, PET/MR significantly influenced the treatment plan in 29.7% of patients with iCCC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

2018P001334.

Facility Type is Associated with Margin Status and Overall Survival of Patients with Resected Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Many studies have demonstrated associations between surgical resections at academic centers and improved outcomes, particularly for complex operations. However, few studies have examined this relationship in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The hypothesis of this study was that facility type is associated with improved postoperative outcomes and survival for patients with ICC who undergo resection.

METHODS

Patients with stages 1 to 3 ICC who underwent hepatectomy were identified using the National Cancer Database (NCDB) (2004-2014). Facilities were categorized as academic or community centers per Commission on Cancer designations. High-volume hospitals were those that performed 11 or more hepatectomies per year. Multilevel logistic mixed-effects models to identify predictors of outcomes and parametric survival-time models were used to determine overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The study identified 2256 patients. Of these patients, 423 (18.8%) were treated at community centers, and 1833 (81.3%) were treated at academic centers. Nearly all high-volume centers were academic facilities (98.5% academic vs. 1.5% community centers), whereas low-volume centers were mixed (65.5% academic vs. 34.5% community centers) (p < 0.001). Surgery performed at an academic center was an independent predictor of decreased positive margins (odds ratio [OR], 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-0.98; p = 0.04), a lower 90-day mortality rate (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.39-0.97; p = 0.03), and improved OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.63-0.96; p = 0.02). Facility hepatectomy volume was not independently associated with any short- or long-term outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment at an academic center is associated with fewer positive resection margins, a decreased 90-day mortality rate, and improved OS for patients who undergo ICC resection. Facility surgical volume was not shown to be significantly associated with any postoperative outcomes after adjustment for patient and disease characteristics.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Transplantable Child-Pugh A Cirrhotics: Should Cost Affect Resection vs Transplantation?

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus regarding the optimal surgical treatment for transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with well-compensated cirrhosis. Our aim was to compare outcomes between Child-Pugh A (CPA) cirrhotics who underwent liver resection or transplantation for HCC.

METHODS

Clinicopathologic data were retrospectively collected for all surgically treated HCC patients between 7/1992 and 12/2015. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from the time of operation or diagnosis (intention-to-treat analysis including patients removed from the transplant list). The average overall cost including pre-operative and post-operative procedures was calculated for each group.

RESULTS

Of the 513 surgically treated HCC patients, 184 had CPA cirrhosis and fulfilled the Milan criteria (MC). Of those, 95 (52%) were resected and 89 (48%) were transplanted. Twenty-two patients were removed from the transplant list. Transplanted patients were younger (p < 0.001), had a higher MELD score (p < 0.001) and a higher frequency of hepatitis C (p < 0.001). Length of stay and postoperative complication rates were similar between groups. DFS was longer for transplanted patients (3-, 5-, and 10-year DFS rates 48, 44, 31% vs 96, 94, 94%, respectively, p < 0.001). OS was similar between groups (3-, 5-, and 10-year OS rates 76, 62, 41% vs 82, 77, 53%, respectively, p = 0.07). Only size of greatest lesion and T stage were independent predictors of OS. The cost was much higher for the transplant group, even when accounting for the treatment of recurrences ($37,391 vs $137,996).

CONCLUSIONS

Since OS is similar between CPA cirrhotics within the MC undergoing resection or transplantation for HCC, but cost is significantly higher for transplantation. Resection should be considered for first-line treatment.