scholarly journals Tumor Marker-Based Definition of the Transarterial Chemoembolization-Refractoriness in Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multi-Cohort Study

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Sik Yoon ◽  
Dong Hyun Sinn ◽  
Jeong-Hoon Lee ◽  
Hwi Young Kim ◽  
Cheol-Hyung Lee ◽  
...  

Background: For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the definition of refractoriness to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), which might make them a candidate for systemic therapy, is still controversial. We aimed to derive and validate a tumor marker-based algorithm to define the refractoriness to TACE in patients with intermediate-stage HCC. Methods: This multi-cohort study was comprised of patients who underwent TACE for treatment-naïve intermediate-stage HCC. We derived a prediction model for overall survival (OS) using the pre- and post-TACE model to predict tumor recurrence after living donor liver transplantation (MoRAL) (i.e., MoRAL score = 11×√protein induced by vitamin K absence-II + 2×√alpha-fetoprotein), which was proven to reflect both tumor burden and biologic aggressiveness of HCC in the explant liver, from a training cohort (n = 193). These results were externally validated in both an independent hospital cohort (from two large-volume centers, n = 140) and a Korean National Cancer Registry sample cohort (n = 149). Results: The changes in MoRAL score (ΔMoRAL) after initial TACE was an independent predictor of OS (MoRAL-increase vs. MoRAL-non-increase: adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.37–3.46, p = 0.001; median OS = 18.8 vs. 37.8 months). In a subgroup of patients with a high baseline MoRAL score (≥89.5, 25th percentile and higher), the prognostic impact of ΔMoRAL was more pronounced (MoRAL-increase vs. MoRAL-non-increase: HR = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.54–8.76, p < 0.001; median OS = 9.9 vs. 37.4 months). These results were reproduced in the external validation cohorts. Conclusion: The ΔMoRAL after the first TACE, a simple and objective index, provides refined prognostication for patients with intermediate-stage HCC. Proceeding to a second TACE may not provide additional survival benefits in cases of a MoRAL-increase after the first TACE in patients with a high baseline MoRAL score (≥89.5), who might be candidates for systemic therapy.

Liver Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Mingyu Chen ◽  
Jiasheng Cao ◽  
Jiahao Hu ◽  
Win Topatana ◽  
Shijie Li ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The preoperative selection of patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are likely to have an objective response to first transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) remains challenging. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To develop and validate a clinical-radiomic model (CR model) for preoperatively predicting treatment response to first TACE in patients with intermediate-stage HCC. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 595 patients with intermediate-stage HCC were included in this retrospective study. A tumoral and peritumoral (10 mm) radiomic signature (TPR-signature) was constructed based on 3,404 radiomic features from 4 regions of interest. A predictive CR model based on TPR-signature and clinical factors was developed using multivariate logistic regression. Calibration curves and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were used to evaluate the model’s performance. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The final CR model consisted of 5 independent predictors, including TPR-signature (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), AFP (<i>p</i> = 0.004), Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer System Stage B (BCLC B) subclassification (<i>p</i> = 0.01), tumor location (<i>p</i> = 0.039), and arterial hyperenhancement (<i>p</i> = 0.050). The internal and external validation results demonstrated the high-performance level of this model, with internal and external AUCs of 0.94 and 0.90, respectively. In addition, the predicted objective response via the CR model was associated with improved survival in the external validation cohort (hazard ratio: 2.43; 95% confidence interval: 1.60–3.69; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). The predicted treatment response also allowed for significant discrimination between the Kaplan-Meier curves of each BCLC B subclassification. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The CR model had an excellent performance in predicting the first TACE response in patients with intermediate-stage HCC and could provide a robust predictive tool to assist with the selection of patients for TACE.


Radiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 298 (3) ◽  
pp. 680-692
Author(s):  
Shuling Chen ◽  
Zhenwei Peng ◽  
Yaojun Zhang ◽  
Minshan Chen ◽  
Jiaping Li ◽  
...  

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