Downstaging Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Research Articles

Multidisciplinary approaches to downstaging hepatocellular carcinoma: present and future.

Downstaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is typically defined as the reduction in size or number of viable tumors through locoregional therapy (LRT), aiming to meet the established criteria for liver transplantation (LT). According to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, a subgroup of patients with BCLC-B may benefit most from downstaging therapies. The United Network Organ Sharing downstaging protocol identifies potential candidates for downstaging by setting out 'inclusion criteria' and defining 'successful downstaging.' Additionally, the protocol considers factors related to tumor biology, such as an alphafetoprotein level <500 ng/mL after LRT. Reports indicate that successful downstaging rates following LRT are about 50%, with post- LT recurrence rates comparable to those of patients within the Milan criteria. A comprehensive multicenter US study on 10-year outcomes post-LT after downstaging showed 10-year post-LT survival and recurrence rates of 52.1% and 20.6%, respectively, for patients whose disease was downstaged; this compares to 61.5% and 13.3% for those consistently within the Milan criteria. Recently, the development of effective systemic treatments for HCC, such as immuno-oncologic agents, has provided additional opportunities for downstaging. Numerous clinical trials are exploring a multidisciplinary approach (MDA) combining LRT and systemic therapy. Although concrete evidence of the superiority of MDA for HCC downstaging is lacking, some retrospective studies and phase I and II trials have shown promising results regarding the efficacy and safety of MDA for this purpose. In this review, we will also discuss the future of MDA protocols in downstaging for improved clinical outcomes.

Downstaging of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma followed by liver transplantation using immune checkpoint inhibitors: Where do we stand?

Liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and chronic liver disease (CLD) is limited by factors such as tumor size, number, portal venous or hepatic venous invasion and extrahepatic disease. Although previously established criteria, such as Milan or UCSF, have been relaxed globally to accommodate more potential recipients with comparable 5-year outcomes, there is still a subset of the population that has advanced HCC with or without portal vein tumor thrombosis without detectable extrahepatic spread who do not qualify or are unable to be downstaged by conventional methods and do not qualify for liver transplantation. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) such as atezolizumab, pembrolizumab, or nivolumab have given hope to this group of patients. We completed a comprehensive literature review using PubMed, Google Scholar, reference citation analysis, and CrossRef. The search utilized keywords such as 'liver transplant', 'HCC', 'hepatocellular carcinoma', 'immune checkpoint inhibitors', 'ICI', 'atezolizumab', and 'nivolumab'. Several case reports have documented successful downstaging of HCC using the atezolizumab/bevacizumab combination prior to LT, with acceptable early outcomes comparable to other criteria. Adverse effects of ICI have also been reported during the perioperative period. In such cases, a 1.5-month interval between ICI therapy and LT has been suggested. Overall, the results of downstaging using combination immunotherapy were encouraging and promising. Early reports suggested a potential ray of hope for patients with CLD and advanced HCC, especially those with multifocal HCC or branch portal venous tumor thrombosis. However, prospective studies and further experience will reveal the optimal dosage, duration, and timing prior to LT and evaluate both short- and long-term outcomes in terms of rejection, infection, recurrence rates, and survival.

Downstaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Before Liver Transplantation: Current Advances in Selection Criteria and Therapeutic Options

Liver transplantation (LT) is an ideal therapeutic option for selected hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients. The selection criteria of HCC for LT have evolved in recent decades. Downstaging therapy is a promising strategy for patients with tumor burden beyond transplant criteria to increase the chance of receiving LT and improve posttransplant survival. Downstaging therapy is also a selection tool that refines the conventional selection criteria based on tumor morphology. Recently, the success of systemic treatment including immune checkpoint inhibitors, antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and VEGF inhibitors in advanced HCC has prompted the discussion regarding the role of systemic therapies for HCC downstaging before transplantation. In this review, we aimed to summarize the current advances in selection criteria and therapeutic options of downstaging therapy for HCC before LT.

Predicting the outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma downstaging with the use of clinical and radiomics features

BackgroundDownstaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) makes it possible for patients beyond the criteria to have the chance of liver transplantation (LT) and improved outcomes. Thus, a procedure to predict the prognosis of the treatment is an urgent requisite. The present study aimed to construct a comprehensive framework with clinical information and radiomics features to accurately predict the prognosis of downstaging treatment.MethodsSpecifically, three-dimensional (3D) tumor segmentation from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is employed to extract spatial information of the lesions. Then, the radiomics features within the segmented region are calculated. Combining radiomics features and clinical data prompts the development of feature selection to enhance the robustness and generalizability of the model. Finally, we adopt the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm to establish a classification model for predicting HCC downstaging outcomes.ResultsHerein, a comparative study was conducted on three different models: a radiomics features-based model (R model), a clinical features-based model (C model), and a joint radiomics clinical features-based model (R-C model). The average accuracy of the three models was 0.712, 0.792, and 0.844, and the average area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) of the three models was 0.775, 0.804, and 0.877, respectively.ConclusionsThe novel and practical R-C model accurately predicted the downstaging outcomes, which could be utilized to guide the HCC downstaging toward LT treatment.

Overexpression of miR-4669 Enhances Tumor Aggressiveness and Generates an Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Its Clinical Value as a Predictive Biomarker

Accumulating evidence suggests the involvement of tumor-derived exosomes in the development and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We previously identified miR-4669 as a highly expressed microRNA in circulating exosomes obtained from patients with post-transplant HCC recurrence. This study aimed to explore how overexpression of miR-4669 affects HCC development and recurrence. The impact of miR-4669 overexpression in Hep3B cells on tumor cell behavior and the tumor microenvironment was evaluated in vitro. In addition, the clinical value of exosomal miR-4669 for the prediction of treatment response to HCC downstaging therapies and following post-transplant HCC recurrence was explored. Overexpression of miR-4669 enhanced migration ability and led to acquired sorafenib resistance with an elevation of sirtuin 1 and long noncoding RNA associated with microvascular invasion. Active release of tumor-derived exosomes and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) contributed to generating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment through the induction of M2 macrophage polarization. The retrospective analysis demonstrated the clinical value of exosomal miR-4669 for predicting treatment response to HCC downstaging therapies and for risk assessment of post-transplant HCC recurrence. In summary, the present data demonstrate the impact of exosomal miR-4669 on HCC recurrence through the enhancement of tumor aggressiveness and generation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

The efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization in downstaging unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma to curative therapy: a predicted regression model.

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) outside Milan criteria (MC) may be candidates for curative therapy after successful downstaging. We aimed to identify the predictors of successful downstaging of unresectable HCC in patient by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) outside MC. We performed a retrospective study on patients with unresectable HCC outside MC who received downstaging with TACE. Clinical and laboratory variables were recorded. We identified 101 patients with unresectable HCC who underwent initial TACE, who formed the derivation set of this study. Thirty patients who treated by TACE with the same selection criteria served as an external validation set. We performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify variables associated with successful downstaging. Then we did the predictive model to predict the efficiency of TACE. Of the 101 patients in the study, 26 patients (25.7%) were successfully downstaging and 75 patients (74.3%) failed downstaging. Multivariate analysis of factors to predict successful downstaging of HCC outside MC the number of tumor (P = 0.01), portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT)(p &lt; 0.01), the size of tumor (P = 0.02), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (P = 0.01), α-fetoprotein (AFP) (P = 0.02) as significant predictors of successful downstaging. Then we constructed the predictive model. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of the predictive equation was 0.90 (95% confidence interval, 0.83-0.95). We found in our study that the number and size of tumors, PVTT, HBsAg, and AFP are good predictors of successful downstaging of unresectable HCC in patients by TACE outside the MC.

Prospect of lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in the new era of systemic chemotherapy.

The phase III clinical trial of the novel molecular targeted agent (MTA) lenvatinib for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (REFLECT trial) found that lenvatinib was non-inferior to sorafenib in overall survival. Recently, the efficacy of multiple MTAs, including lenvatinib, in practice has been reported, and therapeutic strategies for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) intermediate stage HCC are undergoing major changes. Based on these results, lenvatinib could be recommended for patients with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE)-refractory, ALBI grade 1, within the up-to-seven criteria in the BCLC intermediate stage. Lenvatinib provides a more favorable outcome than TACE, even in cases with large or multinodular HCC beyond the up-to-seven criteria with Child-Pugh grade A. When patients meet the definitions of TACE-refractory or TACE-unsuitable, switching to systemic chemotherapy, including lenvatinib, is for favorable for preserving liver function. If initial treatment, including MTA, has a significant therapeutic effect and downstaging of HCC is obtained, additional TACE or surgical resection should be considered. Lenvatinib also has a therapeutic effect for poorly differentiated type and non-simple nodular type HCC thanks to the survival-prolonging effect of this drug. Furthermore, a significant therapeutic effect is expected in tumors with more than 50% liver involvement or main portal vein invasion, which have traditionally been considered to have a poor prognosis in patients. This suggests that at the start of lenvatinib treatment, HCC patients with ALBI grade 1 may be able to maintain liver functional reserve.

Combination of Sorafenib, Camrelizumab, Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization, and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy as a Novel Downstaging Strategy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus: A Case Series Study.

Background and AimAlthough the treatment effect and availability of therapeutic options for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are limited, the downstaging strategy may improve patient prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the potential of combination therapy as a downstaging strategy for treating advanced HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT).MethodsThis retrospective case series included patients having advanced HCC with PVTT, who received the combination therapy of sorafenib, camrelizumab, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) from January 2019 to December 2019 in Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. The downstaging rate, treatment responses, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), disease control rate, and toxicities were evaluated.ResultsOf the 13 patients, HCC downstaging was achieved in 4 (33.3%) patients who later received hepatectomy. The overall response rate was 41.7%, and the disease control rate was 50.0%. The median PFS time was 15.7 months, with a 1-year PFS rate of 58.3%, whereas the median OS was not reached after 1 year (1-year OS, 83.3%). No severe adverse events or grade 3–4 adverse effect was observed in 12 of the 13 enrolled patients; therapy had to be discontinued in only one patient due to adverse events, who was excluded from the study. The most common adverse effect was fever (n = 4, 33.3%), followed by skin reaction (n = 3, 25%).ConclusionA combination therapy comprising sorafenib, camrelizumab, TACE, and SBRT is an effective downstaging strategy for advanced HCC with PVTT and is associated with few adverse events.

Is liver resection still required for patients who have predictive factors for complete pathologic necrosis after downstaging for locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma?

Liver resection is usually recommended in patients after downstaging for locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to induce complete remission. However, the liver resection requirement in patients expected to have complete pathological necrosis (CPN) after HCC downstaging is questionable. From 2002 to 2019, 919 patients with locally advanced HCC underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy or transarterial radioembolization. Among these patients, excluding liver transplantation, 94 patients who underwent hepatic resection (OP group) and 789 patients who did not undergo surgical treatment (non-OP group) were included in this study. Predictive factors of CPN in the resected specimen after tumor downstaging in the OP group analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Of the 94 patients in the OP group, thirty-eight patients (40.4%) were found to have CPN. In multivariable analysis, the predictive factors of CPN were complete radiologic response and tumor marker responder (hazard ratio [HR] 1.00, p < 0.006; HR 3.698, 95% confidence interval 1.029 - 13.321, p = 0.045). Among the non-OP group, 11% of patients belonged to the CPN-predictive factor (PF) group. Of these patients, only two patients (18.2%) have occurred intrahepatic recurrence. There was no difference in disease-free survival between the CPN-PF group and the CPN group (119.0 ± 77.42 vs. 60.00 ± 14.04, p = 0.075). In addition, the overall survival (OS) of the CPN-PF group was significantly higher than the OS of the CPN group (171.00 ± 0.00 vs. 97.00 ± 17.46, p = 0.044). This study showed that surgical resection might not provide further advantages for long-term outcomes in patients with CPN-PFs after HCC downstaging.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Downstaging to Liver Transplantation as Curative Therapy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks among the leading cancer-related causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Downstaging of HCC has prevailed as a key method to curative therapy for patients who present with unresectable HCC outside of the listing criteria for liver transplantation (LT). Even though LT paves the way to lifesaving curative therapy for HCC, perpetually severe organ shortage limits its broader application. Debate over the optimal protocol and assessment of response to downstaging treatment has fueled immense research activity and is pushing the boundaries of LT candidate selection criteria. The implicit obligation of refining downstaging protocol is to ensure the maximization of the transplant survival benefit by taking into account the waitlist life expectancy. In the following review, we critically discuss strategies to best optimize downstaging HCC to LT on the basis of existing literature.

Outcome of early and intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): A single institution experience at MGUH.

328 Background: Liver transplant (LT) remains the best curative standard for HCC within Milan criteria (Milan). Nonsurgical locoregional treatments, including TACE and ablation, offer a bridge to surgical management and attempt to downstage or maintain patients (pts) within Milan pending liver transplant and donor organ availability. We investigated clinical factors that predict successful downstaging of HCC and liver transplant. Methods: In this single-institutional retrospective analysis, pts with early-intermediate stage HCC within Milan (control) vs beyond Milan were evaluated for clinical outcome. Clinical factors including treatment and response, demographics, TACE distribution (number of treatments, timing, and response), and status of liver transplantation (timing and if received) were correlated to overall survival (OS). OS was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: HCC pts (n = 343) considered for LT or downstage to LT were included in the study: 75% male, 13% African American, 55% Caucasian, and 14% Asian. 12% of pts had HBV, 53% had HCV, 2% had both HBV and HCV. 221 pts were diagnosed within Milan vs 122 beyond Milan, in which 36% (n = 44) were still within UCSF criteria (UCSF). 43% of those diagnosed within Milan ultimately received LT vs 16% of those diagnosed beyond Milan. 49% of pts (n = 60) initially beyond Milan were downstaged to within Milan, via TACE, wherein 27% received LT; this group accounted for 13% all LT. However, in the subset of pts beyond Milan but within UCSF, 68% were downstaged to within Milan, wherein 40% received LT. In pts initially within Milan, 21% (n = 47) progressed beyond Milan, but 40% of this subset was downstaged back to within Milan. Pts both within and beyond Milan had a median of 2 TACE procedures. Differences in the rates of LT relative to the number of TACE were significant (p = 0.022) for pts initially within Milan; for &lt; / = 2 TACE, 54% had LT; for &gt; 2 TACE, 26% had LT. Similar comparison was nonsignificant for pts initially beyond Milan (p = 0.95); rates of LT for &lt; / = 2 TACE and &gt; 2 TACE were 17% and 16% respectively. Median OS for non-LT recipients was 5 years vs not reached for LT recipients ( &gt; 70% alive at 8 years, p &lt; 0.001). Pts initially beyond Milan but within UCSF criteria had similar OS vs those initially within Milan (both 75% at 4 years), but OS was worse (50% at 4 years) for those beyond UCSF (p = 0.024). Conclusions: Liver transplantation significantly increased OS in early-intermediate stage HCC. Increased number of TACE procedures was associated with decreased likelihood of ultimate LT in pts initially diagnosed within Milan, particularly when they had &gt; 2 TACE. Pts initially beyond Milan but within UCSF criteria had similar OS vs those initially within Milan; this former subset had a good chance of being downstaged to Milan and ultimately receive LT. Additional clinical factors that predict successful downstaging of HCC and LT are being investigated.

Salvage Surgery for Initially Unresectable Locally Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Downstaged by Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy

Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of salvage surgery following downstaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim was to assess the outcomes of salvage surgery after successful downstaging using hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC). Patients whose diagnosis was unresectable locally advanced HCC and who were resected after conversion to a resectable status by HAIC were included. The overall survival (OS) rate, and disease-free survival (DFS) rate were analyzed by stratifying patients into those with Vp3/4, Vv2/3, and those without major vascular invasion (MVI). Eighteen patients were censored. Among them, six patients had Vp3/4, four patients had Vv2/3, and eight patients had no MVI. The 5-year OS rates of patients with Vp3/4 and those without MVI were 83% and 73%, respectively, whereas those with Vv2/3 had 0% (p<0.001). Salvage surgery has the potential to provide excellent outcomes in resectable HCC patients, except for those with Vv2/3.

Hangzhou criteria as downstaging criteria in hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation: A multicenter study from China

The downstaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been confirmed to benefit liver transplantation (LT) patients whose tumors are beyond the transplantation criteria. Milan criteria (MC), a tumor size and number-based assessment, is currently used as the endpoint in these patients. However, many studies believe that tumor biological behavior should be added to the evaluation criteria for downstaging efficacy. Hence, this study aimed to explore the feasibility of Hangzhou criteria (HC), which introduced tumor grading and alpha-fetoprotein in addition to tumor size and number, as an endpoint of downstaging. We performed a multicenter and retrospective study of 206 patients accepted locoregional therapy (LRT) as downstaging/bridge treatment prior to LT in three centers of China. Recipients were divided into four groups: failed downstaging to the HC (group A, n=46), successful downstaging to the HC (group B, n=30), remained within the HC all the time (group C, n=113), and tumor progressed (group D, n=17). The 3-year HCC recurrence probabilities of groups B and C were not significantly different (10.3% vs. 11.6%, P=0.87). The HCC recurrent rate was significantly higher in group A (52.3%) compared with that in group B/C (P < 0.05). Seven patients (7/76, 9.2%) whose tumor exceeded the the HC were successfully downstaged to the MC, and 39.5% (30/76) to the the HC. In group B, 23 patients remained beyond the MC and their survivals were as well as those of patients within the MC. Compared to the MC, HC downstaging criteria can give more HCC patients access to LT and furthermore, the outcome of these patients is the same as those matching MC downstaging criteria. Hangzhou downstaging criteria therefore is applicable in clinical practice.

Microwave ablation after downstaging of hepatocellular carcinoma: outcome was similar to tumor within Milan criteria.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients receiving microwave ablation (MWA), either after downstaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), or without downstaging when meeting initially the Milan criteria. From January 2012 to January 2018, 66 patients with HCC beyond the Milan criteria who were downstaged by TACE previous to MWA comprised the study group. The control group comprised 190 patients who underwent MWA as first-line treatment as they met initially the Milan criteria. Cumulative overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were compared. The propensity score analysis was performed to reduce potential bias. Baseline characteristics were balanced between the two groups after 1:1 propensity score matching. The OS rates were 100%, 79%, and 73% at 1, 3, and 5years in the downstaging group and 95%, 83%, and 72%, respectively, in the Milan group. The corresponding RFS rate were 77%, 40%, and 31% in the downstaging group and 76%, 45%, and 34% in the Milan group. There were no significant differences in the OS and RFS rates between the two groups (p = 0.981 and p = 0.586). The long-term therapeutic outcomes of MWA for downstaged HCC with TACE were similar to HCC that initially met the Milan criteria. • Patients treated with MWA of HCC after downstaging with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) were similar to those with HCC that initially met Milan criteria. • Microwave ablation (MWA) can be an effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that is downstaged to the Milan criteria.

Radiofrequency Ablation Following Downstaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Using Transarterial Chemoembolization: Long-term Outcomes.

Background Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective downstaging procedure for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, knowledge of the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) after downstaging of HCC is currently lacking. Purpose To evaluate the clinical outcomes of RFA after downstaging of HCC by using TACE. Materials and Methods This retrospective study investigated a cohort of patients who underwent RFA with curative intent after downstaging with TACE to meet Milan criteria (one lesion up to 5 cm or no more than three lesions ≤3 cm without vascular invasion or extrahepatic metastasis) from January 2012 to July 2017. A control group of patients initially meeting the Milan criteria also underwent RFA as first-line treatment in the same period. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and major complication rates were compared by using the log-rank test. To reduce potential bias, a propensity score analysis was also performed. Results There were 72 patients (median age, 56.5 years; range, 30-78 years; 67 men) in the downstaging group and 357 patients meeting the Milan criteria (median age, 58.0 years; range, 25-87 years; 313 men) included in this study. After propensity score matching, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 99%, 80%, and 66%, respectively, for the patients in the downstaging group and 94%, 84%, and 69%, respectively, for the patients in the Milan criteria group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS rate were 73%, 34%, and 24% for the downstaging group and 74%, 43%, and 37% for the Milan criteria group. There were no differences in the OS, DFS, or major complication rates between the two groups (P = .74, P = .39, P = .73, respectively). Conclusion The long-term patient survival and major complication rates of radiofrequency ablation following transarterial chemoembolization downstaging for hepatocellular carcinoma were similar to that of patients initially meeting the Milan criteria. © RSNA, 2019 See also the editorial by vanSonnenberg and Mueller in this issue.

Combination of Chemoembolization plus Radiofrequency Ablation May Provide Better Survival Outcomes than Monotherapy for HCC

Combination of Chemoembolization plus Radiofrequency Ablation May Provide Better Survival Outcomes than Monotherapy for HCC

Role of Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) in Down Staging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) before Liver Transplantation

Background: liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as the optimal treatment for cirrhotic patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) because it cures both tumor and underlying cirrhosis. HCC could be downstaged or controlled by various anticancer therapies, which might bring them chance of undergoing a curative treatment such as LT. Aim of the Work: it was to evaluate the outcomes of HCC downstaged patients using transarterial hepatic chemoembolization (TACE) therapy to allow eligibility for liver transplantation. Patients and Methods: the study included all the cirrhotic patients who underwent TACE for downstaging of HCC to become eligible for liver transplantation at the period from 2008 to 2017 in Ain Shams Specialized Hospital. Al the patients underwent TACE to meet the Milan criteria for liver transplantation. Results: the etiology of cirrhosis and HCC in our patients was primarily Hepatitis C virus which is endemic in our country. All the cases were not eligible for liver transplantation because they were out of Milan criteria, therefore all the cases underwent TACE for downstaging of the tumor to be within the Milan criteria to become fit for liver transplantation. After undergoing TACE for downstaging, Patients underwent living donor liver transplantation, then they were followed up for detection of recurrence on the transplanted liver. Four of the twenty seven patients had recurrent HCC (14.8 %). Conclusion: successful down-staging of HCC by TACE can be achieved in the majority of carefully selected patients and is associated with excellent posttransplantation outcome.

Role of Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) in Down Staging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) before Liver Transplantation

Background: liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as the optimal treatment for cirrhotic patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) because it cures both tumor and underlying cirrhosis. HCC could be downstaged or controlled by various anticancer therapies, which might bring them chance of undergoing a curative treatment such as LT. Aim of the Work: it was to evaluate the outcomes of HCC downstaged patients using transarterial hepatic chemoembolization (TACE) therapy to allow eligibility for liver transplantation. Patients and Methods: the study included all the cirrhotic patients who underwent TACE for downstaging of HCC to become eligible for liver transplantation at the period from 2008 to 2017 in Ain Shams Specialized Hospital. Al the patients underwent TACE to meet the Milan criteria for liver transplantation. Results: the etiology of cirrhosis and HCC in our patients was primarily Hepatitis C virus which is endemic in our country. All the cases were not eligible for liver transplantation because they were out of Milan criteria, therefore all the cases underwent TACE for downstaging of the tumor to be within the Milan criteria to become fit for liver transplantation. After undergoing TACE for downstaging, Patients underwent living donor liver transplantation, then they were followed up for detection of recurrence on the transplanted liver. Four of the twenty seven patients had recurrent HCC (14.8 %). Conclusion: successful down-staging of HCC by TACE can be achieved in the majority of carefully selected patients and is associated with excellent posttransplantation outcome.

Excellent Liver Transplantation Outcomes After Downstaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The Milan criteria (having a single tumor ≤5 cm or 2–3 tumors ≤3 cm) are used to determine which patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can

Downstaging for hepatocellular cancer: harm or benefit?

Pooled analyses have suggested success in down staging in about half of patients treated, but with higher recurrence rates than patients initially within transplantation criteria. Studies with strict inclusion criteria and mandatory waiting time before transplantation reported survival equivalent to patients who did not require downstaging. In carefully selected patients, there is a role for down staging to provide the chance of transplantation and cure, with acceptable outcomes. Further multi center, well-designed studies are required to clarify who will mostly benefit. Until such data is available, downstaging criteria should be stated within transplantation programs and relevant decisions should be discussed by multidisciplinary teams.