Article
Surgery
Kate Minoux, Guillaume Lassailly, Massih Ningarhari, Henri Lubret, Medhi El Amrani, Valerie Canva, Stephanie Truant, Philippe Mathurin, Alexandre Louvet, Gilles Lebuffe, Odile Goria, Eric Nguyen-Khac, Emmanuel Boleslawski, Sebastien Dharancy
Summary: This study investigated the trajectory of HCC patients awaiting liver transplantation who were treated with sorafenib. The results suggest that patients treated for HCC progression have high dropout rates and low survival rates, while patients treated for impossibility of loco-regional therapy have acceptable survival rates.
TRANSPLANT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Paul J. Thuluvath, Chau To, Waseem Amjad
Summary: Hepatocellular cancer is a common and deadly cancer worldwide. Liver transplantation is the preferred treatment for unresectable HCC, but due to long waiting periods, locoregional therapies may be needed for some patients.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Zhongyi Jiang, Qianwei Jiang, Xu Fang, Pusen Wang, Weitao Que, Hao Li, Yang Yu, Xueni Liu, Chunguang Wang, Lin Zhong
Summary: The recipient C7 rs9292795 gene polymorphism is associated with HCC recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation, serving as a potential prognostic marker for HCC patients undergoing OLT.
Review
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Giuseppe Mamone, Settimo Caruso, Mariapina Milazzo, Giorgia Porrello, Ambra Di Piazza, Giovanni Gentile, Vincenzo Carollo, Francesca Crino, Gianluca Marrone, Gianvincenzo Sparacia, Luigi Maruzzelli, Roberto Miraglia, Salvatore Gruttadauria
Summary: Liver transplantation provides the best survival benefit for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who cannot undergo resection. The Milan criteria have been developed to select suitable candidates for transplantation, aiming to improve survival and reduce the risk of HCC recurrence. However, up to 20% of cases experience HCC recurrence after transplantation, posing a significant challenge due to poor prognosis. Various extended criteria have been proposed to accommodate the increasing demand for organs and the associated higher risk of recurrence. Radiologists need to be aware of the possibility of HCC recurrence involving multiple organs after transplantation. Understanding the location and radiologic appearance of recurrent HCC is crucial for choosing the most appropriate therapy.
INSIGHTS INTO IMAGING
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Marcello Di Martino, Alessandro Vitale, Daniele Ferraro, Marilisa Maniscalco, Donatella Pisaniello, Giuseppe Arenga, Federica Falaschi, Alfonso Terrone, Alessandro Iacomino, Alfonso Galeota Lanza, Ciro Esposito, Umberto Cillo, Giovanni Vennarecci
Summary: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of downstaging therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients beyond the listing criteria. The results suggest that patients who are successfully downstaged and transplanted have a longer overall survival compared to those who are not transplanted. However, there are no significant differences in the survival rates between these two groups based on an intention-to-treat analysis.
Article
Oncology
Ao Huang, De-Zhen Guo, Yu-Peng Wang, Guo-Huan Yang, Qi-Man Sun, Xin Zhang, Yi-Feng He, Kang Song, Xiao-Wu Huang, Xin-Rong Yang, Jia Fan, Jian Zhou, Jie Hu
Summary: The study demonstrated the significance of plasma microRNA panel for predicting and monitoring early tumor recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma patients following liver transplantation. The positive status of microRNA panel was associated with a higher recurrence rate, and it changed from negative to positive earlier than AFP and DCP upon recurrence.
Article
Oncology
Bleuenn Brusset, Jerome Dumortier, Daniel Cherqui, Georges-Philippe Pageaux, Emmanuel Boleslawski, Ludivine Chapron, Jean-Louis Quesada, Sylvie Radenne, Didier Samuel, Francis Navarro, Sebastien Dharancy, Thomas Decaens
Summary: The study compared the agreement for the criteria and outcomes of liver transplantation before and after the adoption of the AFP model, finding a longer waiting time and higher rate of bridging therapies after the AFP model was implemented, leading to poorer patient outcomes.
Article
Oncology
Victor Amado, Sandra Gonzalez-Rubio, Javier Zamora, Rafael Alejandre, Maria Lola Espejo-Cruz, Clara Linares, Marina Sanchez-Frias, Gema Garcia-Jurado, Jose Luis Montero, Ruben Ciria, Manuel Rodriguez-Peralvarez, Gustavo Ferrin, Manuel De la Mata
Summary: Liver transplantation and surgical resection are potential curative options for patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, but tumor recurrence remains a frequent issue. This study aimed to assess the role of circulating tumor cells in HCC patients undergoing surgery and their association with other markers of poor prognosis. Results suggest that incomplete clearance of circulating tumor cells post-surgery may serve as a surrogate marker of HCC aggressiveness.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Takuya Genda, Takafumi Ichida, Eiji Tanaka, Satoshi Mochida, Yoshiyuki Ueno, Shuji Terai, Ayano Inui, Yoshihide Ueda, Hideki Ohdan, Hiroto Egawa, Koji Umeshita, Hiroyuki Furukawa, Yukihiro Inomata
Summary: This study aimed to clarify the characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with allograft liver failure awaiting deceased donor liver transplantation in Japan. It was found that recurrent HCV and PSC were major causes of allograft liver failure, and additional factors such as age, CTP score, MELD score, ALT levels, and causes of allograft failure were identified as independent risk factors associated with waitlist mortality.
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Filippo Pelizzaro, Martina Gambato, Enrico Gringeri, Alessandro Vitale, Umberto Cillo, Fabio Farinati, Patrizia Burra, Francesco Paolo Russo
Summary: Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation is a major concern, with poor prognosis and uncertainty in management. There is currently lack of specific surveillance strategy and sufficient data to support immunosuppressive drugs and adjuvant therapy.
Article
Surgery
Lauren Matevish, Madhukar S. Patel, Parsia A. Vagefi
Summary: Downstaging has been shown to be feasible within UNOS-DS criteria, with successful long-term outcomes. Interventional liver-directed therapies have been the standard, but systemic therapies are becoming more effective. Immunotherapy holds promise in downstaging, but further trials are needed to assess feasibility and safety. Individual expertise will continue to guide treatment until more data is available.
SURGICAL CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA
(2024)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Indah Jamtani, Kwang-Woong Lee, Yunhee Choi, YoungRok Choi, Jeong-Moo Lee, Eui-Soo Han, Kwangpyo Hong, Gyu-Seong Choi, Jong Man Kim, Nam-Joon Yi, Suk Kyun Hong, Jeik Byun, Su Young Hong, Sanggyeun Suh, Jae-Won Joh, Kyung-Suk Suh
Summary: This study aimed to develop a tailored prediction model of HCC-specific survival after transplantation, validated internally and externally. By combining multiple risk factors, the model showed good accuracy in predicting HCC-specific survival tailored for patients undergoing transplantation. The calculated SALT predictor provided accurate information on expected survival rates based on risk scores and specific characteristics.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Mun Chae Choi, Eun-Ki Min, Jae Geun Lee, Dong Jin Joo, Myoung Soo Kim, Deok-Gie Kim
Summary: This study investigated the use of antiplatelet drugs in preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT). The findings suggest that antiplatelet therapy does not impact HCC recurrence or HCC-specific mortality when used after LT.
Review
Surgery
Wesley D. D. Jetten, Rianne N. M. Hogenbirk, Nico L. U. Van Meeteren, Frans J. C. Cuperus, Joost M. M. Klaase, Renate De Jong
Summary: Prehabilitation in patients awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) appears to improve aerobic capacity, and seems feasible and safe. However, larger clinical trials are required to accurately examine the preoperative and postoperative effects of prehabilitation in this specific patient population.
TRANSPLANT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Marcello Di Martino, Daniele Ferraro, Donatella Pisaniello, Giuseppe Arenga, Federica Falaschi, Alfonso Terrone, Marilisa Maniscalco, Alfonso Galeota Lanza, Ciro Esposito, Giovanni Vennarecci
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of bridging therapies in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) considered for liver transplantation (LT). The results showed that patients who received bridging therapies had higher post-LT survival rates despite a longer waiting time.
JOURNAL OF HEPATO-BILIARY-PANCREATIC SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alberto Baroja-Mazo, Alejandro Penin-Franch, Fernando Lucas-Ruiz, Carlos De Torre-Minguela, Cristina Alarcon-Vila, Trinidad Hernandez-Caselles, Pablo Pelegrin
Summary: This study found that activation of the purinergic receptor P2X7 by extracellular ATP impairs the antitumor activity of NK cells, leading to an anergic state and reduced IFN-gamma secretion. This effect can be reversed by specific P2X7 antagonists and pretreatment with IL-2 or IL-15. Knockdown of the P2rx7 gene improved the control of tumor size by NK cells. These findings suggest that P2X7 activation plays a role in NK cell-mediated antitumor effectiveness, and modifying NK cells to lack P2X7 may enhance their antitumor capacity.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isabel Legaz, Jose Miguel Bolarin, Jose Antonio Campillo, Maria R. Moya-Quiles, Manuel Miras, Manuel Muro, Alfredo Minguela, Maria R. Alvarez-Lopez
Summary: This study reveals that the combination of activating killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes and European human leukocyte antigen 2 (HLA-C2) genotypes in recipients is associated with chronic liver rejection (CR). The presence of inhibitory KIR genes significantly increases the incidence of chronic rejection. In addition, KIR2DL3 and the absence of donor HLA-C2 ligand also have an impact on chronic rejection. These findings have important clinical implications for understanding the mechanism of chronic liver rejection and improving treatment options.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Surgery
Victor Lopez-Lopez, Alberto Hiciano-Guillermo, Laura Martinez-Alarcon, Ana Delegido, Felipe Alconchel, Jose Antonio Pons, Juan Angel Fernandez, Antonio Rios, Manuel Rodriguez, Kohei Miura, Francisco Sanchez-Bueno, Ricardo Robles-Campos, Pablo Ramirez
Summary: Prophylactic use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy did not significantly reduce surgical site infection and surgical site event rates after liver transplantation compared with standard surgical dressings.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Fernando Lucas-Ruiz, Sandra Mateo, Marta Jover-Aguilar, Felipe Alconchel, Laura Martinez-Alarcon, Carlos De Torre-Minguela, Daniel Vidal-Correoso, Francisco Villalba-Lopez, Victor Lopez-Lopez, Antonio Rios-Zambudio, Jose A. Pons, Pablo Ramirez, Pablo Pelegrin, Alberto Baroja-Mazo
Summary: This study examined the impact of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) released during cold ischemia storage on inflammatory responses after liver transplantation. The results showed that DAMPs can induce priming and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in liver macrophages, leading to graft dysfunction. Inhibiting DAMPs or the NLRP3 inflammasome during cold storage may increase the success rate of liver transplantation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Victor Jimenez-Coll, Santiago Llorente, Francisco Boix, Rafael Alfaro, Jose Antonio Galian, Helios Martinez-Banaclocha, Carmen Botella, Maria R. Moya-Quiles, Manuel Muro-Perez, Alfredo Minguela, Isabel Legaz, Manuel Muro
Summary: The process and evolution of organ transplant procedures have advanced in terms of preventing immunological rejection by improving the determination of immune response genes. These techniques include considering important genes, detecting more genetic variations, refining response patterns, analyzing epitopes and eplets, complement fixation capacity, using the PIRCHE algorithm, and monitoring post-transplant biomarkers. New biomarkers, such as serological, urine, cellular, genomic, and transcriptomic biomarkers, as well as computational predictions, have shown promise in surpassing classic markers like creatinine for renal function assessment. Particularly, the analysis of circulating DNA from donors proves to be an optimal marker for kidney damage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rafael Alfaro, Luis Rodriguez-Aguilar, Santiago Llorente, Victor Jimenez-Coll, Helios Martinez-Banaclocha, Jose Antonio Galian, Carmen Botella, Maria Rosa Moya-Quiles, Manuel Muro-Perez, Alfredo Minguela, Isabel Legaz, Manuel Muro
Summary: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common in kidney transplant recipients and is associated with rejection rates and graft dysfunction. CMV induces the expression of BAFF receptors, which may serve as biomarkers for alloantibodies and graft dysfunction. In this study, the expression levels of BAFF receptors were assessed in CMV-positive kidney transplant recipients. The BAFF-R and TACI transcript levels showed no significant differences, while BCMA transcript levels correlated strongly with peak viremia. High BCMA expression was associated with increased plasmablast and B cell class-switched levels, as well as viral load. These findings suggest that BCMA transcript levels may be a useful predictor for CMV reactivation in kidney transplant recipients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francisco Villalba-Lopez, Luis Francisco Saenz-Mateos, Maria Isabel Sanchez-Lorencio, Virginia De La Orden-Garcia, Felipe Alconchel-Gago, Pedro Antonio Cascales-Campos, Carmen Garcia-Bernardo, Jose Antonio Noguera-Velasco, Alberto Baroja-Mazo, Pablo Ramirez-Romero
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the clinical contribution of protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) monitoring after liver transplantation (LT) and compare it with alpha-foetoprotein (AFP). The results showed significant correlations between PIVKA-II expression levels and clinicopathological features such as tumor size and number of pre-transplant transarterial chemoembolizations (TACEs). PIVKA-II levels decreased significantly after LT and increased in patients with tumor recurrence, suggesting its potential as a novel biomarker for predicting disease severity and early recurrence.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Victor Lopez-Lopez, Kohei Miura, Christoph Kuemmerli, Antonio Capel, Dilmurodjon Eshmuminov, David Ferreras, Alberto Baroja-Mazo, Pedro Cascales-Campos, Maria Isabel Jimenez-Mascunan, Jose Antonio Pons, Maria Isabel Castellon, Francisco Sanchez-Bueno, Ricardo Robles-Campos, Pablo Ramirez
Summary: The usefulness of TARE in the treatment of borderline-resectable HCC has been endorsed and recommended, but its role in liver transplant is still under debate and lacks clear guidelines.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Victor Jimenez-Coll, Jaouad El Kaaoui El Band, Santiago Llorente, Rosana Gonzalez-Lopez, Marina Fernandez-Gonzalez, Helios Martinez-Banaclocha, Jose Antonio Galian, Carmen Botella, Maria Rosa Moya-Quiles, Alfredo Minguela, Isabel Legaz, Manuel Muro
Summary: In kidney transplantation, biopsy is the current gold standard for monitoring the transplanted organ, but it is invasive and discomforting for patients. Large-scale studies show that approximately 1% of biopsies result in major complications, with a risk of macroscopic hematuria exceeding 3.5%. In 2011, a method to detect donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) using digital PCR was developed based on analyzing the SNPs differences between donor and recipient.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Maria Alejandra Asensio Ruiz, Angela Alonso Garcia, Maria de la Luz Bravo-Ferrer Moreno, Iria Cebreiros-Lopez, Jose Antonio Noguera-Velasco, Antonio Abel Lozano-Perez, Teresa Martinez Martinez
Summary: Nuclear imaging, using radiolabeled nanomaterials as imaging probes, is a valuable tool for medical diagnosis. This study developed a direct method for radiolabeling FITC-tagged silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFN) and demonstrated its stability and efficiency in biological media. The dual-labeling method showed potential for further investigations of SFN biodistribution in vivo.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Christian Appenzeller-Herzog, Aurelie Rosat, Tim Mathes, Alberto Baroja-Mazo, Andrzej Chruscinski, Sandy Feng, Ignacio Herrero, Maria-Carlota Londono, George Mazariegos, Hidenori Ohe, Jose A. Pons, Alberto Sanchez-Fueyo, Kayo Waki, Julien Vionnet
Summary: Pre-withdrawal time has a significant impact on the success or failure of immunosuppression withdrawal in liver transplant recipients, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maria Sanchez-Campillo, Antonio Gazquez, Ana Serrano-Munera, Marino B. Arnao, Francisco Aviles-Plaza, Azahara M. Garcia-Serna, Jose A. Noguera-Velasco, Ana Martinez-Lopez de Castro, Carmen Martinez-Gracia, Clara Suarez-Martinez, Marina Santaella-Pascual, Jesus Vioque, Carmen Montoya-Hernandez, Carmen Ballesteros-Meseguer, Marisa Sanchez-Ferrer, Virginia Perez-Fernandez, Eva Morales, Luis Garcia-Marcos, Elvira Larque
Summary: Most pregnant women do not meet the recommended intake of vitamins A and E. However, higher levels of these vitamins in maternal serum during mid-pregnancy are associated with a higher antioxidant status in both the mother and the newborn. Gestational diabetes mellitus is negatively associated with maternal serum vitamin A levels, but no association with oxidative stress parameters was found.
ANNALS OF NUTRITION AND METABOLISM
(2023)
Review
Surgery
Oriana Lo Re, Victor Lopez-Lopez, Andres Balaguer-Roman, Maria Antonia Martinez-Sanchez, Dilmurodjon Eshmuminov, Camilo Julio Llamoza-Torres, Kohei Miura, Alberto Baroja-Mazo, Pablo Ramirez, Ricardo Robles-Campos, Bruno Ramos-Molina
Summary: This review found that the altered microbiota composition is associated with the development of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter hepaticus, and Opisthorchis viverrini increase the risk of CCA. The most abundant genera in CCA's biliary microbiota were Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Bacteroides, Klebsiella, and Pyramidobacter. Furthermore, microbiota is related to postoperative outcomes in abdominal surgery.
LANGENBECKS ARCHIVES OF SURGERY
(2023)