Liver stiffness in hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic hepatitis patients:Hepatitis B virus infection and transaminases should be considered

BACKGROUND Liver condition is a crucial prognostic factor for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),but a convenient and comprehensive method to assess liver condition is lacking.Liver stiffness(LS)measured by two-dimensional shear wave elastography may help in assessing liver fibrosis and liver condition.Chronic hepatitis B(CHB)is an important risk factor for HCC progression,but LS was found to be less reliable in assessing liver fibrosis following hepatitis viral eradication.We hypothesize that the status of hepatitis virus infection would affect the accuracy of LS in assessing the liver condition.AIM To test the feasibility and impact factors of using LS to assess liver condition in patients with HCC and CHB.METHODS A total of 284 patients were retrospectively recruited and classified into two groups on the basis of serum CHB virus hepatitis B virus(HBV)-DNA levels[HBV-DNA≥100.00 IU/mL as Pos group(n=200)and<100.00 IU/mL as Neg group(n=84)].Correlation analyses and receiver operating characteristic analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between LS and liver condition.RESULTS A significant correlation was found between LS and most of the parameters considered to have the ability to evaluate liver condition(P<0.05).When alanine aminotransferase(ALT)concentrations were normal(≤40 U/L),LS was correlated with liver condition indices(P<0.05),but the optimal cutoff of LS to identify a Child-Pugh score of 5 was higher in the Neg group(9.30 kPa)than the Pos group(7.40 kPa).When ALT levels were elevated(>40 U/L),the correlations between LS and liver condition indices were not significant(P>0.05).CONCLUSION LS was significantly correlated with most liver condition indices in patients with CHB and HCC.However,these correlations varied according to differences in HBV-DNA and transaminase concentrations.

Prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis and steatosis in type-2 diabetics with normal transaminases:A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and type-2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)have an intricate bidirectional relationship.Individuals with T2DM,not only have a higher prevalence of non-alcoholic steatosis,but also carry a higher risk of progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.Experts still differ in their recommendations of screening for NAFLD among patients with T2DM.AIM To study the prevalence of NAFLD and advanced fibrosis among our patient population with T2DM.METHODS During the study period(November 2018 to January 2020),59 adult patients with T2DM and 26 non-diabetic control group individuals were recruited prospectively.Patients with known significant liver disease and alcohol use were excluded.Demographic data and lab parameters were recorded.Liver elastography was performed in all patients.RESULTS In the study group comprised of patients with T2DM and normal alanine aminotransferase levels(mean 17.8±7 U/L),81%had hepatic steatosis as diagnosed by elastography.Advanced hepatic fibrosis(stage F3 or F4)was present in 12%of patients with T2DM as compared to none in the control group.Patients with T2DM also had higher number of individuals with grade 3 steatosis[45.8%vs 11.5%,(P<0.00001)and metabolic syndrome(84.7%vs 11.5%,P<0.00001)].CONCLUSION A significant number of patients with T2DM,despite having normal transaminase levels,have NAFLD,grade 3 steatosis and advanced hepatic fibrosis as measured by liver elastography.

Liver stiffness in the hepatitis B virus carrier:A non-invasive marker of liver disease influenced by the pattern of transaminases

AIM： To investigate the usefulness of transient elastography by Fibroscan （FS）, a rapid non-invasive technique to evaluate liver fibrosis, in the management of chronic hepatitis B virus （HBV） carriers. METHODS： In 297 consecutive HBV carriers, we studied the correlation between liver stiffness （LS）, stage of liver disease and other factors potentially influencing FS measurements. In 87 chronic hepatitis B （CriB） patients, we monitored the FS variations according to the spontaneous or treatment-induced variations of biochemical activity during follow-up. RESULTS： FS values were 12.3 ± 3.3 kPa in acute hepatitis, 10.3 ± 8.8 kPa in chronic hepatitis, 4.3 ± 1.0 kPa in inactive carriers and 4.6 ± 1.2 kPa in blood donors. We identified the cut-offs of 7.5 and 11.8 kPa for the diagnosis of fibrosis ≥S3 and cirrhosis respectively, showing 93.9% and 86.5% sensitivity, 88.5% and 96.3% specificity, 76.7% and 86.7% positive predictive value （PPV）, 97.3% and 96.3% negative predictive value （NPV） and 90.1% and 94.2% diagnostic accuracy. At multivariate analysis in 171 untreated carriers, fibrosis stage （t = 13.187,P 〈 0.001）, active vs inactive HBV infection （t = 6.437, P 〈 0.001）, alanine aminotransferase （ALT） （t = 4.740, P 〈 0.001） and HBV-DNA levels （t = -2.046, P = 0.042） were independently associated with FS. Necroinflammation score （t = 2.158, 〉 10/18 vs ≤ 10/18, P = 0.035） and ALT levels （t = 3.566, P =0.001） were independently associated with LS in 83 untreated patients without cirrhosis and long-term biochemical remission （t = 4.662, P 〈 0.001） in 80 treated patients. During FS monitoring （mean followup 19.9 ± 7.1 mo） FS values paralleled those of ALT in patients with hepatitis exacerbation （with 1.2 to 4.4-fold increases in Crib patients） and showed a progressive decrease during antiviral therapy. CONCLUSION： FS is a non-invasive tool to monitor liver disease in chronic HBV carriers, provided that the pattern of biochemical activity is taken into account. In the inactive carrier, it identifies non-HBV-related causes of liver damage and transient reactivations. In CHB patients, it may warrant a more appropriate timing of control liver biopsies.

Prognostic performance of an index based on lactic dehydrogenase and transaminases for patients with liver steatosis and COVID-19

BACKGROUND Metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)is associated with complications and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).However,there are no prognostic scores aimed to evaluate the risk of severe disease specifically in patients with MAFLD,despite its high prevalence.Lactate dehydrogenase,aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase have been used as markers of liver damage.Therefore,we propose an index based on lactate dehydrogenase,aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase for the prediction of complications and mortality in patients with MAFLD and COVID-19.AIM To evaluate the prognostic performance of an index based on lactate dehydrogenase and transaminases(aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase)in patients with COVID-19 and MAFLD[liver fibrosis and nutrition(LNF)-COVID-19 index].METHODS In this retrospective cohort study,two cohorts from two different tertiary centers were included.The first was the derivation cohort to obtain the score cutoffs,and the second was the validation cohort.We included hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 and MAFLD.Liver steatosis was evaluated by computed tomography scan.Area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis and survival analysis were used.RESULTS In the derivation cohort,44.6%had MAFLD;ROC curve analysis yielded a LFN-COVID-19 index>1.67 as the best cutoff,with a sensitivity of 78%,specificity of 63%,negative predictive value of 91%and an area under the ROC curve of 0.77.In the multivariate analysis,the LFN-COVID-19 index>1.67 was independently associated with the development of acute kidney injury(odds ratio:1.8,95%confidence interval:1.3-2.5,P<0.001),orotracheal intubation(odds ratio:1.9,95%confidence interval:1.4-2.4,P<0.001),and death(odds ratio:2.86,95%confidence interval:1.6-4.5,P<0.001)in both cohorts.CONCLUSION LFN-COVID-19 index has a good performance to predict prognosis in patients with MAFLD and COVID-19,which could be useful for the MAFLD population.

Large-for-size syndrome prophylaxis in infant liver recipients with low body mass

Transplantation of the left lateral section(LLS)of the liver is now an established practice for treating advanced diffuse and unresectable focal liver diseases in children,with variants of the LLS primarily used in infants.However,the surgical challenge of matching the size of an adult donor's graft to the volume of a child's abdomen remains significant.This review explores historical developments,various approaches to measuring the required functional liver mass,and techniques to prevent complications associated with large-for-size grafts in infants.

Glutathione Reductase, Liver Transaminases and Atypical Lymphocytes Count as Early Predictive Biomarkers in Diagnosis of Thrombocytopenia in Dengue Viral Infection

Objective: The aim of the study is to identify whether Atypical Lymphocyte (AL), liver transaminases, and Glutathione Reductase (GR) can be used as potential biomarkers in the assessment of severity and thrombocytopenia in dengue. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out on diagnosed dengue patients admitted to Nawaloka Hospital, Sri Lanka. Blood samples were taken from patients (n = 50) on the day of admission, 3rd and 5th day from admission for analysis of GR, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, platelets, white blood cells, and Atypical Lymphocytes (AL). Results: GR level of all three measured stages had a higher area under the curve (>88%), high sensitivity and specificity compared to liver transaminases. A significant regression model represents on admission GR and AL levels as predictive variables to platelet levels in day 03 from admission (Day 3 Platelet level = 127155.3 - 383 * GR - 0.431 * AL). Conclusion: Liver transaminases, GR, and AL% can be considered as a profile of predictive biomarkers in early diagnosis of severity of dengue infection. The degree of thrombocytopenia can be predicted using on admission GR and AL% level in acute dengue viral infection.

Lesson learnt from 60 years of liver transplantation:Advancements,challenges,and future directions

Over the past six decades,liver transplantation(LT)has evolved from an experimental procedure into a standardized and life-saving intervention,reshaping the landscape of organ transplantation.Driven by pioneering breakthroughs,technological advancements,and a deepened understanding of immunology,LT has seen remarkable progress.Some of the most notable breakthroughs in the field include advances in immunosuppression,a revised model for end-stage liver disease,and artificial intelligence(AI)-integrated imaging modalities serving diagnostic and therapeutic roles in LT,paired with ever-evolving technological advances.Additionally,the refinement of transplantation procedures,resulting in the introduction of alternative transplantation methods,such as living donor LT,split LT,and the use of marginal grafts,has addressed the challenge of organ shortage.Moreover,precision medicine,guiding personalized immunosuppressive strategies,has significantly improved patient and graft survival rates while addressing emergent issues,such as short-term complications and early allograft dysfunction,leading to a more refined strategy and enhanced postoperative recovery.Looking ahead,ongoing research explores regenerative medicine,diagnostic tools,and AI to optimize organ allocation and posttransplantation car.In summary,the past six decades have marked a transformative journey in LT with a commitment to advancing science,medicine,and patient-centered care,offering hope and extending life to individuals worldwide.

Changes of liver fat content and transaminases in obese children after 12-mo nutritional intervention

AIM:To assess a relationship between longitudinal changes in liver fat content and biochemical parameters in obese children after 1-year nutritional intervention.METHODS:Forty-six obese children, 21 males and 25females, aged 6-14 years, underwent metabolic measurements, liver ultrasonography(US) and chemicalshift magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) examinations at baseline and after 1-year nutritional intervention. A child was defined obese if her/his body mass index(BMI)was above the age- and sex-adjusted BMI Cole's curve passing through the cut-off of 30 kg/m2 at 18 years.BMI Z scores were calculated and adjusted for age and gender by using the Cole's LMS-method and Italian reference data. Biochemistry included serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST). Abdominal US and chemical-shift MRI were performed according to a randomized sequence.The same radiologist performed US by a GE Logiq 9(General Electric Healthcare Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI, United States) using a 3.5-MHz convex array transducer. Liver echogenicity was evaluated independently on videotape by 3 radiologists unaware of the child and MRI outcomes, and a consensus was established. Another experienced radiologist, unaware of the child and US data, performed the abdominal chemicalshift MRI with a 1-t system NT-Intera(Philips Medical Systems, Best, The Netherlands) and a phased-array coil. Liver fat fraction(FF) on MRI was judged elevated when greater than 9%. A FF>18% was considered expressing more severe cases of fatty liver according to Fishbein. A nutritional-behavioral intervention was recommended to promote a normocaloric balanced diet and active lifestyle based on the Italian guidelines for treatment of childhood obesity.RESULTS:Compared to baseline, at the end of intervention children showed lower intakes of energy(mean± SD:2549±1238 Kcal vs 1770±622 Kcal, P<0.0001), total fat(90±47 g vs 52± 23g, P<0.0001),carbohydrates(356±174g vs 241±111 g, P=0.001),and protein(99±48g vs 75±23g, P=0.006) intakes. Prevalence of FF≥9% declined from 34.8%to 8.7%(P<0.01), with a mean reduction of 7.8%(95%CI:5.0-10.6). At baseline, FF was associated with liver biochemical parameters(maximum P<0.001). At the end of the intervention association was found with AST(P=0.017). Change of FF was associated with change in AST(P =0.027) and ALT(P=0.024). Rate of increased liver echogenicity declined from 45.6% to21.7%(P<0.0001). Liver echogenicity was associated with ALT at baseline only(P<0.001). An age-and sexadjusted multiple regression analysis showed that FF change was independently associated with change in serum AST(adjusted regression coefficient 0.348, P=0.048).CONCLUSION:The results suggest that in obese children longitudinal changes in liver fat content based on MRI may be associated with change in serum transaminases suggesting novelty in monitoring nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Predicting colorectal adenomatous polyps in patients with chronic liver disease: A novel nomogram

BACKGROUND Colorectal polyps are commonly observed in patients with chronic liver disease(CLD)and pose a significant clinical concern because of their potential for malignancy.AIM To explore the clinical characteristics of colorectal polyps in patients with CLD,a nomogram was established to predict the presence of adenomatous polyps(AP).METHODS Patients with CLD who underwent colonoscopy at Tianjin Second People’s Hospital from January 2020 to May 2023 were evaluated.Clinical data including laboratory results,colonoscopy findings,and pathology reports were collected.Key variables for the nomogram were identified through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression,followed by multivariate logistic regression.The performance of the model was evaluated using the area under the receiver area under curve,as well as calibration curves and decision curve analysis.RESULTS The study enrolled 870 participants who underwent colonoscopy,and the detection rate of AP in patients with CLD was 28.6%.Compared to individuals without polyps,six risk factors were identified as predictors for AP occurrence:Age,male sex,body mass index,alcohol consumption,overlapping metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease,and serum ferritin levels.The novel nomogram(AP model)demonstrated an area under curve of 0.801(95%confidence interval:0.756-0.845)and 0.785(95%confidence interval:0.712-0.858)in the training and validation groups.Calibration curves indicated good agreement among predicted and actual probabilities(training:χ^(2)=11.860,P=0.157;validation:χ^(2)=7.055,P=0.530).The decision curve analysis underscored the clinical utility of the nomogram for predicting the risk of AP.CONCLUSION The AP model showed reasonable accuracy and provided a clinical foundation for predicting the occurrence of AP in patients with CLD,which has a certain predictive value.

Advancements in Liver Tumor Detection:A Comprehensive Review of Various Deep Learning Models

Liver cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide,and precise diagnostic tools are essential for effective treatment planning.Liver Tumors(LTs)vary significantly in size,shape,and location,and can present with tissues of similar intensities,making automatically segmenting and classifying LTs from abdominal tomography images crucial and challenging.This review examines recent advancements in Liver Segmentation(LS)and Tumor Segmentation(TS)algorithms,highlighting their strengths and limitations regarding precision,automation,and resilience.Performance metrics are utilized to assess key detection algorithms and analytical methods,emphasizing their effectiveness and relevance in clinical contexts.The review also addresses ongoing challenges in liver tumor segmentation and identification,such as managing high variability in patient data and ensuring robustness across different imaging conditions.It suggests directions for future research,with insights into technological advancements that can enhance surgical planning and diagnostic accuracy by comparing popular methods.This paper contributes to a comprehensive understanding of current liver tumor detection techniques,provides a roadmap for future innovations,and improves diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes for liver cancer by integrating recent progress with remaining challenges.

Imaging characteristics of hypervascular focal nodular hyperplasialike lesions in patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease

BACKGROUND Focal nodular hyperplasia(FNH)-like lesions are hyperplastic formations in patients with micronodular cirrhosis and a history of alcohol abuse.Although pathologically similar to hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)lesions,they are benign.As such,it is important to develop methods to distinguish between FNH-like lesions and HCC.AIM To evaluate diagnostically differential radiological findings between FNH-like lesions and HCC.METHODS We studied pathologically confirmed FNH-like lesions in 13 patients with alco-holic cirrhosis[10 men and 3 women;mean age:54.5±12.5(33-72)years]who were negative for hepatitis-B surface antigen and hepatitis-C virus antibody and underwent dynamic computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),including superparamagnetic iron oxide(SPIO)and/or gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI.Seven patients also underwent angiography-assisted CT.RESULTS The evaluated lesion features included arterial enhancement pattern,washout appearance(low density compared with that of surrounding liver parenchyma),signal intensity on T1-weighted image(T1WI)and T2-weighted image(T2WI),central scar presence,chemical shift on in-and out-of-phase images,and uptake pattern on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI hepatobiliary phase and SPIO-enhanced MRI.Eleven patients had multiple small lesions(<1.5 cm).Radiological features of FNH-like lesions included hypervascularity despite small lesions,lack of“corona-like”enhancement in the late phase on CT during hepatic angiography(CTHA),high-intensity on T1WI,slightly high-or iso-intensity on T2WI,no signal decrease in out-of-phase images,and complete SPIO uptake or incomplete/partial uptake of gadoxetic acid.Pathologically,similar to HCC,FNH-like lesions showed many unpaired arteries and sinusoidal capillarization.CONCLUSION Overall,the present study showed that FNH-like lesions have unique radiological findings useful for differential diagnosis.Specifically,SPIO-and/or gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and CTHA features might facilitate differential diagnosis of FNH-like lesions and HCC.

Multiple liver metastases of unknown origin:A case report

BACKGROUND The liver is the most common site of digestive system tumor metastasis,but not all liver metastases can be traced back to the primary lesions.Although it is unusual,syphilis can impact the liver,manifesting as syphilitic hepatitis with inflammatory nodules,which might be misdiagnosed as metastasis.CASE SUMMARY This case report involves a 46-year-old female who developed right upper abdominal pain and intermittent low fever that persisted for more than three months.No definitive diagnosis of a tumor had been made in the past decades,but signs of multiple liver metastases were recognized after a computed tomo-graphy scan without evidence of primary lesions.With positive serological tests for syphilis and a biopsy of the liver nodules,a diagnosis of hepatic syphilis was made and confirmed with follow-up nodule reduction after anti-syphilis therapy.CONCLUSION Clinicians must be aware of the possibility that syphilis can cause hepatic inflam-matory masses,especially when liver metastasis is suspected without evidence of primary lesions.A definitive diagnosis should be established in conjunction with a review of the patient’s medical history for accurate therapeutic intervention.

Elafibranor:A promising therapeutic approach for liver fibrosis and gut barrier dysfunction in alcohol-associated liver disease

This article discusses the recent study written by Koizumi et al.Alcohol-associated liver disease(ALD)is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality,which is driven by complex mechanisms,including lipid accumulation,apoptosis,and inflammatory responses exacerbated by gut barrier dysfunction.The study explored the therapeutic potential of elafibranor,a dual peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor alpha/delta agonist.In clinical trials,elafibranor has shown promise for the treatment of other liver conditions;however,its effects on ALD remain unclear.The authors’findings indicate that elafibranor significantly reduced liver fibrosis and enhanced gut barrier integrity in patients with ALD.These positive effects of elafibranor are mediated through multiple pathways.Elafibranor promotes lipid metabolism,reduces oxidative stress,and inhibits inflammatory responses by restoring gut barrier function.Specifically,it improves hepatocyte function by enhancing autophagic and antioxidant capacity,and it mitigates inflammation by suppressing the lipopolysaccharide/toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway.These findings indicate that elafibranor has promising clinical applications.In addition,the study highlights elafibranor’s potential as a therapeutic agent for liver diseases,particularly ALD.This article underscores the importance of understanding the mechanistic pathways underlying ALD and suggests directions for future research aimed at elucidating the benefits and limitations of elafibranor.

Laparoscopic liver resection utilizing the ventral avascular area of the inferior vena cava:A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic liver resection(LLR)can be challenging due to the difficulty of establishing a retrohepatic tunnel under laparoscopy.Dissecting the third hepatic hilum before parenchymal transection often leads to significant liver mobilization,tumor compression,and bleeding from the short hepatic veins(SHVs).This study introduces a novel technique utilizing the ventral avascular area of the inferior vena cava(IVC),allowing SHVs to be addressed after parenchymal transection,thereby reducing surgical complexity and improving outcomes in in situ LLR.AIM To introduce and evaluate a novel LLR technique using the ventral avascular area of the IVC and compare its short-term outcomes with conventional methods.METHODS The clinical cohort data of patients with pathologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who underwent conventional LLR and novel LLR between July 2021 and July 2023 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed.In novel LLR,we initially separated the caudate lobe from the IVC using dissecting forceps along the ventral avascular area of the IVC.Then,we transected the parenchyma of the left and right caudate lobes from the caudal side to the cephalic side using the avascular area as a marker.Subsequently,we addressed the SHVs and finally dissected the root of the right hepatic vein or left hepatic vein.The short-term postoperative outcomes and oncological results of the two approaches were evaluated and compared.RESULTS A total of 256 patients were included,with 150(58.59%)undergoing conventional LLR and 106(41.41%)undergoing novel LLR.The novel technique resulted in significantly larger tumor resections(6.47±2.96 cm vs 4.01±2.33 cm,P<0.001),shorter operative times(199.57±60.37 minutes vs 262.33±83.90 minutes,P<0.001),less intraoperative blood loss(206.92±37.09 mL vs 363.34±131.27 mL,P<0.001),and greater resection volume(345.11±31.40 mL vs 264.38±31.98 mL,P<0.001)compared to conventional LLR.CONCLUSION This novel technique enhances liver resection outcomes by reducing intraoperative complications such as bleeding and tumor compression.It facilitates a safer,in situ removal of complex liver tumors,even in challenging anatomical locations.Compared to conventional methods,this technique offers significant advantages,including reduced operative time,blood loss,and improved overall surgical efficiency.

Can Emax and platelet count truly differentiate between benign and malignant liver lesions?

This letter critically evaluates Jiang et al's article on the differentiation of benign and malignant liver lesions using Emax and platelet count.Despite notable findings,significant methodological and interpretative limitations are identified.The study lacks detailed assay conditions for Emax measurement,employs inadequate statistical methods without robust multivariate analysis,and does not provide clinically relevant threshold values.The nomogram's reliance on Emax as a major diagnostic contributor is questionable due to attenuation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with cirrhosis.Moreover,the study's limitations,such as selection bias and confounding factors,are not adequately addressed.Future research should adopt more rigorous methodologies,including prospective studies with larger cohorts and standardized protocols for biomarker measurement,to enhance validity and clinical applicability.

Liver as a new target organ in Alzheimer's disease:insight from cholesterol metabolism and its role in amyloid-beta clearance

Alzheimer's disease,the primary cause of dementia,is characterized by neuropathologies,such as amyloid plaques,synaptic and neuronal degeneration,and neurofibrillary tangles.Although amyloid plaques are the primary characteristic of Alzheimer's disease in the central nervous system and peripheral organs,targeting amyloid-beta clearance in the central nervous system has shown limited clinical efficacy in Alzheimer's disease treatment.Metabolic abnormalities are commonly observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease.The liver is the primary peripheral organ involved in amyloid-beta metabolism,playing a crucial role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease.Notably,impaired cholesterol metabolism in the liver may exacerbate the development of Alzheimer's disease.In this review,we explore the underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease and elucidate the role of the liver in amyloid-beta clearance and cholesterol metabolism.Furthermore,we propose that restoring normal cholesterol metabolism in the liver could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for addressing Alzheimer's disease.

Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplant:An Australian single-centre study

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.Liver transplantation(LT)offers the most effective treatment.HCC recurrence is the strongest risk factor that decreases post-LT survival in patients transplanted for HCC.The rate of HCC recurrence is generally reported as 8%-20%in the literature.Many predictors of HCC have already been researched,however,to our knowledge there are no published studies on this topic using Australian data.AIM To determine the rate and identify predictors of HCC recurrence in a contemporary Western Australian LT cohort.METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of all liver transplants in patients with HCC at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital between 2006 and 2021.Data was collected from various health record databases and included recipient demographics,serum biochemistry,radiology,operation notes,explant histopathology and details of recurrence.Overall survival of HCC patients post-LT,stratified for recurrence,was calculated by Kaplan Meier analysis.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was used to determine predictors of HCC recurrence post-LT.RESULTS Between 1/1/2006 and 12/31/2021,119 patients were transplanted with HCC.8.4%of subjects developed recurrent HCC after LT with median follow-up time of 5.4 years.The median time to recurrence was 2.9 years±0.75 years.When comparing baseline characteristics,a greater proportion of subjects with recurrence had common characteristics on explant histopathology,including>3 viable nodules(P=0.001),vascular invasion(P=0.003)and poorly differentiated HCC(P=0.03).Unadjusted survival curves showed lower 1-year,3-year,5-year and 10-year survival rates in subjects with HCC recurrence compared to those without HCC recurrence(90%vs 92%,70%vs 88%,42%vs 80%,14%vs 76%,respectively;log rank P<0.001).CONCLUSION HCC recurrence was low at 8.4%in this contemporary Australian cohort,however it significantly impacted post-LT survival.Further studies are required to confirm predictors of recurrence and improve recipient outcomes.

Role of surgical resection for non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine liver metastases

It is widely accepted that the indications for hepatectomy in colorectal cancer liver metastases and liver metastases of neuro-endocrine tumors result in relatively better prognoses, whereas, the indications and prognoses of hepatectomy for non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine liver metastases(NCNNLM) remain controversial owing to the limited number of cases and the heterogeneity of the primary diseases. There have been many publications on NCNNLM; however, its background heterogeneity makes it difficult to reach a specific conclusion. This heterogeneous disease group should be discussed in the order from its general to specific aspect. The present review paper describes the general prognosis and risk factors associated with NCNNLM while specifically focusing on the liver metastases of each primary disease. A multidisciplinary approach that takes into consideration appropriate timing for hepatectomy combined with chemotherapy may prolong survival and/or contribute to the improvement of the quality of life while giving respite from systemic chemotherapy.

King's College criteria and the Clichy-Villejuif criteria require adjustments for assessing acute liver failure due to yellow fever

BACKGROUND Acute liver failure(ALF)is a severe condition characterized by rapid deterioration of liver function in individuals without preexisting liver disease.Liver transplantation(LT)is the most impactful treatment.Yellow fever(YF)is an infectious disease that primarily affects the liver and has a high mortality rate.However,LT can be a viable option for treating rare cases with extensive liver involvement.However,the criteria for assessing the severity of ALF and determining the indications for transplantation have not been specifically validated for cases caused by YF.AIM To present necessary adjustments to established scoring systems for ALF secondary to YF.METHODS This was an observational,retrospective,single-center study.Fourteen consecutive patients with confirmed ALF due to YF were monitored in the intensive care unit by a specialized liver transplant team during a three-month epidemic outbreak in Brazil.During hospitalization,general supportive therapeutic measures were implemented,and the patients were regularly assessed using the King's College criteria and the Clichy-Villejuif criteria to determine the severity of liver failure.LT is considered a viable measure for patients with signs of end-stage liver failure.RESULTS Eight of 14(57%)patients developed severe neurological alterations within the first 96 hours after hospital admission.Four patients underwent emergency LT,and despite a moderate viral infection of the graft after transplantation,the 5-year survival rate was 50%.Although the King's College criteria and the Clichy-Villejuif criteria are the main scoring systems for ALF,they are insufficient for predicting the risk of mortality in this context,primarily because of low serum bilirubin levels in the final stage of the disease and significant disparities between coagulation abnormalities and patient severity.CONCLUSION To ensure good applicability in cases of YF-induced ALF,the authors suggest adaptations to the King's College and Clichy-Villejuif criteria.

Physiology and health assessment,risk balance,and model for endstage liver disease scores:Postoperative outcome of liver transplantation

BACKGROUND Liver transplantation aims to increase the survival of patients with end-stage liver diseases and improve their quality of life.The number of organs available for transplantation is lower than the demand.To provide fair organ distribution,predictive mortality scores have been developed.AIM To compare the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation IV(APACHE IV),balance of risk(BAR),and model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)scores as predictors of mortality.METHODS Retrospective cohort study,which included 283 adult patients in the postoperative period of deceased donor liver transplantation from 2014 to 2018.RESULTS The transplant recipients were mainly male,with a mean age of 58.1 years.Donors were mostly male,with a mean age of 41.6 years.The median cold ischemia time was 3.1 hours,and the median intensive care unit stay was 5 days.For APACHE IV,a mean of 59.6 was found,BAR 10.7,and MELD 24.2.The 28-day mortality rate was 9.5%,and at 90 days,it was 3.5%.The 28-day mortality prediction for APACHE IV was very good[area under the curve(AUC):0.85,P<0.001,95%CI:0.76-0.94],P<0.001,BAR(AUC:0.70,P<0.001,95%CI:0.58–0.81),and MELD(AUC:0.66,P<0.006,95%CI:0.55-0.78),P<0.008.At 90 days,the data for APACHE IV were very good(AUC:0.80,P<0.001,95%CI:0.71–0.90)and moderate for BAR and MELD,respectively,(AUC:0.66,P<0.004,95%CI:0.55–0.77),(AUC:0.62,P<0.026,95%CI:0.51–0.72).All showed good discrimination between deaths and survivors.As for the best value for liver transplantation,it was significant only for APACHE IV(P<0.001).CONCLUSION The APACHE IV assessment score was more accurate than BAR and MELD in predicting mortality in deceased donor liver transplant recipients.