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Background The aim of this ancillary study of the SARAH trial is to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with locally advanced or inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial radioembolisation (TARE) or sorafenib. Methods This study included randomised patients who received either TARE or at least one dose of sorafenib with no major deviation in the protocol and who had at least one QoL follow-up assessment in addition to the baseline evaluation. QoL was assessed from the date of randomisation using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 questionnaire, until disease progression or other reasons for stopping study participation. Data were analysed using linear mixed and time-dependent models. Results A total of 285 patients were included (122 and 163, in the TARE and sorafenib groups, respectively). Questionnaire completion rates were similar (77.5% versus 80.4%, in the TARE and sorafenib groups, respectively, p = 0.25). Longitudinal HRQoL analysis showed a significant treatment and time effects for fatigue and global health status, and significant treatment, time and treatment by time interaction effects for appetite loss, diarrhoea and social functioning. The median time to deterioration for the global health status was 3.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.7–4.3) versus 2.6 months (95% CI 2.0–3.0) in the TARE and sorafenib groups, respectively. Conclusions HRQoL was preserved longer with TARE than with sorafenib in locally advanced HCC. These data could be used to optimise management of patients with advanced or inoperable HCC.

International audience; Purpose: The SARAH (Sorafenib Versus Radioembolization in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01482442) did not show a significant survival benefit for patients treated with transarterial radioembolization (TARE) compared with continuous oral sorafenib. The improved toxicity profile of patients treated with TARE in the trial, however, could result in a quality of life benefit in economic evaluations. Our objective was to perform a cost-utility analysis of TARE versus sorafenib for locally advanced and inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods: This study used patient-level data of the SARAH trial regarding resource use, progression-free and overall survival, and quality of life for the within-trial period for the patients who received at least 1 dose of sorafenib or 1 treatment with TARE according to their randomization arm. Data were extrapolated by using a partitioned survival model that incorporated costs and health outcomes, measured in life-years and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs).Findings: The use of TARE resulted in an average loss of 0.036 life-year and a gain of 0.006 QALY compared with sorafenib. The aerage cost for the TARE arm was €17,179 (95% CI, 9,926-24,280) higher than the sorafenib arm, for an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €3,153,086/QALY. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed a 50% risk that the TARE strategy was dominated. TARE was consistently dominated by sorafenib or had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio more than €450,000/QALY in all sensitivity analyses.Implications: This economic evaluation of SARAH found that using radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma was not a cost-effective option at the usually accepted willingness-to-pay thresholds.

Background This study assessed the prognostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in the prediction of MVI and early recurrence following resection. Method This prospective study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02145013) included 78 consecutive HCC patients who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT before curative-intent resection from 2014 to 2017. Prognostic factors available before surgery for predicting MVI and early recurrence (≤2 years) were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results The 18F-FDG PET/CT result was positive in 30 (38%) patients. MVI was present in 33% (26/78) of specimens. Early recurrence occurred in 19% (14/74) of surviving patients. PET/CT positivity was the sole independent predictor of MVI (odds ratio [OR] = 3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1–11.2; p = 0.03), with a specificity and sensitivity for predicting MVI of 73% and 62%, respectively. Analysis of variables available before surgery showed that PET/CT positivity (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.8, 95% CI = 1.6–20.4; p = 0.006) and the male sex (HR = 6.6; 95% CI = 1.8–24.2; p = 0.005) were independent predictors of early recurrence. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT predicts MVI and early recurrence after surgery for HCC and could be used to select patients for neoadjuvant treatment.

Background & Aims Good outcomes after liver transplantation (LT) have been reported after successfully downstaging to Milan criteria in more advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to compare post-LT outcomes in patients receiving locoregional therapies (LRT) before LT according to Milan criteria and University of California San Francisco downstaging (UCSF-DS) protocol and ‘all-comers’. Methods This multicentre cohort study included patients who received any LRT before LT from Europe and Latin America (2000–2018). We excluded patients with alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) above 1,000 ng/ml. Competing risk regression analysis for HCC recurrence was conducted, estimating subdistribution hazard ratios (SHRs) and corresponding 95% CIs. Results From 2,441 LT patients, 70.1% received LRT before LT (n = 1,711). Of these, 80.6% were within Milan, 12.0% within UCSF-DS, and 7.4% all-comers. Successful downstaging was achieved in 45.2% (CI 34.8–55.8) and 38.2% (CI 25.4–52.3) of the UCSF-DS group and all-comers, respectively. The risk of recurrence was higher for all-comers (SHR 6.01 [p, Graphical abstract, Highlights • Successful downstaging from UCSF criteria resulted in a similar outcome compared with the group initially within Milan criteria. • Patients within UCSF-DS criteria and with AFP values below or equal to 20 ng/ml at listing have excellent survival and recurrence rates. • All-comers have a higher recurrence after downstaging to Milan criteria, with frequent microvascular invasion in the explant.

BACKGROUND Recent data suggest that alcohol-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is diagnosed at a later stage. The aim of this study was to compare HCC characteristics and outcomes in an alcohol-related group (group A) and a non-alcohol-related group (group NA). METHODS A total of 1207 patients with newly diagnosed HCC were prospectively included between May 2008 and October 2009. Patients with multiple causes (alcohol plus another cause) were excluded. Patients were followed every year for 5 years. Recorded variables, including etiologies were tested as prognostic factors of survival in a multivariate Cox model after adjustments for a lead-time bias. RESULTS In all, 894 patients were analyzed: 582 (65.1%) were in group A, and 312 (34.9%) were in group NA. Alcohol-related HCC was more likely to be diffuse and detected in patients with a worse performance status and worse liver function. After adjustments for a lead-time bias, the median overall survival (OS) was 9.7 and 5.7 months in groups NA and A, respectively (P = .0002), and 5.8 and 5.0 months in alcohol-abstinent and alcohol non-abstinent groups, respectively (P = .09). The prognostic role of alcohol disappeared when survival was assessed at each Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage. Patients with HCC detected during a cirrhosis follow-up program (n = 199 [22.3% of the whole cohort]) had increased lead time-adjusted median OS in comparison with patients with HCC diagnosed incidentally (11.7 vs 5.4 months; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS In comparison with patients with non-alcohol-related HCC, patients with alcohol-related HCC have reduced OS, mainly because of worse liver function and tumor characteristics at diagnosis, as attested by similar survival within each BCLC stage. Cancer 2018;124:1964-72. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Resume Le carcinome hepatocellulaire represente un probleme de sante publique majeur avec une mortalite globale parmi les plus elevees comparee a celle des autres cancers. La mediane de survie observee en France dans une population hospitaliere avec carcinome hepatocellulaire est de 9,4 mois. De nombreuses equipes ont rapporte un impact positif du depistage du carcinome hepatocellulaire sur le diagnostic a un stade precoce, sur l’eligibilite a un traitement curatif et sur la survie globale. Cependant, l’identification des patients a risque de carcinome hepatocellulaire devant entrer dans un programme de depistage, et l’application des recommandations de depistage sont insuffisantes. D’autres travaux suggerent un impact potentiellement negatif sur le pronostic des patients du retard au diagnostic ou a la mise en route du traitement. Enfin, des variations marquees entre les regions et les departements francais ont ete decrites en ce qui concerne l’acces au traitement curatif et la survie globale. Dans cet article de synthese, nous nous proposons de faire un etat des lieux sur le parcours de soins du patient atteint de carcinome hepatocellulaire en France avec pour objectifs d’identifier les potentiels points de rupture pouvant avoir un impact sur le pronostic des patients et d’elaborer des propositions d’amelioration.

Background and aim Sorafenib is the standard of care for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and macrovascular invasion (MVI), with limited survival. Retrospective surgical studies have reported prolonged survival in this situation. This study aimed to compare the overall survival of patients with HCC and MVI treated with surgical resection or sorafenib. Methods 143 patients with HCC and MVI but no extra-hepatic spread, treated with surgical resection (SR-patients; n=75) or sorafenib (SOR-patients; n=68) in four French centres between 1990 and 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. A propensity score analysis was performed to reduce bias. Results SR-patients were significantly younger and had a lower tumour burden than SOR-patients. Median overall survival (OS) rates were 10.1 months [95% CI: 4.1-16.1] in SR-patients and 12.9 months [95% CI: 7.9-17.9] in SOR-patients (p=0.959). The 90-day mortality rate was 16% (n=12) in SR-patients and 7.5% (n=5) in SOR-patients (p=0.196). SR-patients had a median disease-free survival of 4.60 months [95% CI: 3.3-5.9]. Under the propensity analysis, median OS was 12.0 months [95% CI: 5.5-18.5] in SR-patients versus 9.7 months [95% CI: 6.1-13.3] in SOR-patients (p = 0.682). Under multivariate analysis, extensive MVI (HR=1.956, p=0.024) and bilirubin >17 μmol/l (HR=1.738, p=0.011) were the two factors significantly associated with mortality. Conclusion Under a propensity score analysis, the overall survival of patients with HCC and MVI undergoing surgical resection was similar to that achieved with sorafenib. We were not able to identify a patient subgroup experiencing a surgery-related improvement in survival, and quality of life was not evaluable. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This meta-analysis compared the effects of liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR) on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) small transplantable HCC or within Milan criteria. Articles comparing LR with LT for HCC, based on Milan criteria or small size, published up to June 2015 were selected, and a meta-analysis was performed. No randomized controlled trial has been published to date comparing survival outcomes in patients with HCC who underwent LR and LT. Nine studies were identified, including 570 patients who underwent LR and 861 who underwent LT. For HCC within the Milan criteria, the 1-year OS rates following LR and LT were 84.5% (473/560) and 84.4% (710/841), respectively (odds ratio [OR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-1.33; P = 0.8), and the 5-year OS rates were 47.9% (273/570) and 59.3% (509/858), respectively (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.35-1.02; P = 0.06). One-year DFS rates were similar (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.39-2.61; P = 1.00), whereas the 3-year DFS rate was significantly lower in the LR group (54.4%, 210/386) than in the LT group (74.2%, 317/427; OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07-0.80; P = 0.02), and the 5-year DFS rate was significantly lower for LR than LT (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06-0.53; P

Points essentiels La mortalite globale associee au carcinome hepatocellulaire est parmi les plus elevees comparee aux autres cancers. Quatre-vingt-dix pour cent des carcinomes hepatocellulaires se developpent sur une cirrhose. La cirrhose est decouverte en meme temps que le carcinome hepatocellulaire dans 25 % des cas, malgre la presence de facteurs de risque. Le carcinome hepatocellulaire est decouvert dans le cadre d’un programme de depistage dans moins de 25 % des cas. Le depistage par echographie hepatique semestrielle augmente les chances de diagnostic precoce, de traitement a visee curative et ameliore la survie. Un intervalle de plus de 7 mois entre les echographies de depistage diminue significativement la survie globale des patients. Tout patient cirrhotique doit beneficier d’une echographie de depistage avec un delai entre les echographies de 6 mois maximum.

To compare the added values of hepatobiliary phase (HBP) MRI and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in addition to inconclusive extracellular gadolinium-based contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) to characterize benign hepatocellular tumors (BHT). Eighty-three BHT-46 focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and 37 hepatocellular adenomas (HCA)-with inconclusive CE-MRI in 54 patients (43 women and 11 men, mean age 42 years old ± 14.8) were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent both HBP-MRI and CEUS. Two radiologists independently reviewed 2 sets of images, SET-1: CE-MRI and HBP-MRI; SET-2: CE-MRI and CEUS, and classified lesions as “definite FNH,” “possible FNH,” or “definitely not FNH.” Sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Spe) were compared between the two sets; subgroup analyses according to the lesion’s size were performed. Regardless of lesion size, the respective Se and Spe of both datasets were not statistically different (95.7 and 100% vs. 76.1 and 94.6% for set-1 and -2 respectively; p = 0.18). For lesions larger than 35 mm, although both sets had similar specificity (100%), sensitivity was higher for SET-1 (100% vs. 40%); p = 0.04. Tumor classifications using SET-1 and SET-2 could have changed patient management in 35/54 (64.8%) and 33/54 (61.1%) of all patients, respectively. HBP-MRI or CEUS should be performed after an inconclusive CE-MRI. Both can change patient management by avoiding unnecessary biopsy or surveillance. The use of HBP-MRI should be advocated over CEUS in larger (>35 mm) lesions.

Context: The management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT) is challenging, especially if it is not treatable by surgery or embolization. Objectives: The present study aims to compare the survival rates of liver transplanted patients receiving sorafenib or best supportive care (BSC) for HCC recurrence not amenable to curative intent treatments. Design: This is a retrospective comparative study on a prospectively maintained database. Participants: Liver transplanted patients with untreatable HCC recurrence receiving BSC (n = 18) until 2007 or sorafenib (n = 15) thereafter were compared. Results: No group difference was observed for demographic characteristics at the time of transplantation and at the time of HCC recurrence. On the explant pathology of the native liver, 81.2% patients were classified within the Milan criteria, and 53.1% presented with microvascular invasion. Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence was diagnosed 17.8 months (standard deviation: 14.5) after LT, with 17 (53.1%) patients presenting with early recurrence (≤12 months). The 1-year survival from untreatable progression of HCC recurrence was 23.9% for the BSC and 60% for the sorafenib group ( P = .002). The type of treatment (sorafenib vs BSC) was the sole independent predictor of survival (hazard ratio: 2.98; 95% confidence interval: 1.09-8.1; P = .033). In the sorafenib group, 8 (53.3%) patients required dose reduction, and 2 (13.3%) patients discontinued the treatment due to intolerable side effects. Conclusion: Sorafenib improves survival and is superior to the BSC in cases of untreatable posttransplant hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence.

We assessed the activity of galunisertib, a small molecule inhibitor of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1) receptor I, in second-line patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in two cohorts of baseline serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP).Patients with advanced HCC who progressed on or were ineligible to receive sorafenib, Child-Pugh A/B7 and ECOG PS ≤1 were enrolled into Part A (AFP ≥ 1.5× ULN) or Part B (AFP 1.5× ULN). Patients were treated with 80 or 150 mg galunisertib BID for 14 days per 28-day cycle. Endpoints were time-to-progression (TTP) and changes in circulating AFP and TGF-β1 levels, as well as safety, pharmacokinetics, progression-free survival and overall survival (OS).Patients (n = 149) were enrolled with median age 65 years. Median TTP was 2.7 months (95% CI: 1.5-2.9) in Part A (n = 109) and 4.2 months (95% CI: 1.7-5.5) in Part B (n = 40). Median OS was 7.3 months (95% CI: 4.9-10.5) in Part A and 16.8 months (95% CI: 10.5-24.4) in Part B. OS was longer in AFP responders (20% decrease from baseline, Part A) compared to non-responders (21.5 months vs 6.8 months). OS was longer in TGF-β1 responders (20% decrease from baseline, all patients) compared to non-responders. The most common Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events were neutropenia (n = 4) and fatigue, anaemia, increased bilirubin, hypoalbuminemia and embolism (each, n = 2).Galunisertib treatment had a manageable safety profile in patients with HCC. Lower baseline AFP and a response in AFP or TGF-β1 levels (vs no response) correlated with longer survival.NCT01246986 at ClinicalTrials.gov.

Purpose To determine whether texture features on pretreatment contrast material-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) images can help predict overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with sorafenib. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 92 patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib between January 2009 and April 2015 at two independent university hospitals. Sixty-four of the 92 patients (70%) (six women, 58 men; median age, 66 years) were included from institution 1 and constituted a training cohort; 28 patients (30%) (five women, 23 men; median age, 64 years) were included from institution 2 and constituted a validation cohort. Pretreatment CT texture analysis was performed on late arterial and portal venous phase HCC images. Mean gray-level intensity, entropy, kurtosis, skewness, and standard deviation values were derived from the pixel distribution histogram before and after spatial filtration at different anatomic scales ranging from fine to coarse texture. Lesion heterogeneity was also visually graded on a 4-point scale. Correlations between visual analysis and texture parameters were assessed with the Spearman rank correlation. Univariate Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed in the training cohort to identify independent predictors of OS and TTP. Their predictive capacity was tested on the validation cohort by using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results Visual analysis of tumor heterogeneity correlated with entropy at both arterial (P = .012) and portal venous (P = .038) phases. Portal phase-derived entropy at fine (hazard ratio [HR], 5.08; P = .0033), medium (HR, 2.23; P = .019), and coarse (HR, 2.26; P = .0032) texture scales was identified as an independent predictor of OS and confirmed in the validation cohort (P.05). The difference in median survival between patients in the validation cohort with entropy values below and above the identified threshold was 272 days (with fine texture) and 741 days (with medium and coarse textures). Arterial phase-derived texture parameters (P.085) and visual analysis (P.11) were not associated with changes in survival. Conclusion Pretreatment portal venous phase-derived tumor entropy may be a predictor of survival in patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib.

We recently identified a histological subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), designated as "macrotrabecular-massive" (MTM-HCC) and associated with specific molecular features. In order to assess the clinical relevance of this variant, we investigated its prognostic value in two large series of patients with HCC treated by either surgical resection or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). We retrospectively included 237 HCC surgical samples and 284 HCC liver biopsies from patients treated by surgical resection and RFA, respectively. Histological slides were reviewed by pathologists specialized in liver disease, and the MTM-HCC subtype was defined by the presence of a predominant (>50%) macrotrabecular architecture (more than six cells thick). The main clinical and biological features were recorded at baseline. Clinical endpoints were early and overall recurrence. The MTM-HCC subtype was identified in 12% of the whole cohort (16% of surgically resected samples, 8.5% of liver biopsy samples). It was associated at baseline with known poor prognostic factors (tumor size, alpha-fetoprotein level, satellite nodules, and vascular invasion). Multivariate analysis showed that MTM-HCC subtype was an independent predictor of early and overall recurrence (surgical series: hazard ratio, 3.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-6.65; P = 0.006; and 2.76; 1.63-4.67; P < 0.001; RFA series: 2.37; 1.36-4.13; P = 0.002; and 2.19; 1.35-3.54; P = 0.001, respectively). Its prognostic value was retained even after patient stratification according to common clinical, biological, and pathological features of aggressiveness. No other baseline parameter was independently associated with recurrence in the RFA series. CONCLUSION The MTM-HCC subtype, reliably observed in 12% of patients eligible for curative treatment, represents an aggressive form of HCC that may require more specific therapeutic strategies. (Hepatology 2018;68:103-112).

Summary Background Sorafenib is the recommended treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of sorafenib to that of selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT) with yttrium-90 ( 90 Y) resin microspheres in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods SARAH was a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, investigator-initiated, phase 3 trial done at 25 centres specialising in liver diseases in France. Patients were eligible if they were aged at least 18 years with a life expectancy greater than 3 months, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1, Child-Pugh liver function class A or B score of 7 or lower, and locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer [BCLC] stage C), or new hepatocellular carcinoma not eligible for surgical resection, liver transplantation, or thermal ablation after a previously cured hepatocellular carcinoma (cured by surgery or thermoablative therapy), or hepatocellular carcinoma with two unsuccessful rounds of transarterial chemoembolisation. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) by a permutated block method with block sizes two and four to receive continuous oral sorafenib (400 mg twice daily) or SIRT with 90 Y-loaded resin microspheres 2–5 weeks after randomisation. Patients were stratified according to randomising centre, ECOG performance status, previous transarterial chemoembolisation, and presence of macroscopic vascular invasion. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Analyses were done on the intention-to-treat population; safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of sorafenib or underwent at least one of the SIRT work-up exams. This study has been completed and the final results are reported here. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01482442. Findings Between Dec 5, 2011, and March 12, 2015, 467 patients were randomly assigned; after eight patients withdrew consent, 237 were assigned to SIRT and 222 to sorafenib. In the SIRT group, 53 (22%) of 237 patients did not receive SIRT; 26 (49%) of these 53 patients were treated with sorafenib. Median follow-up was 27·9 months (IQR 21·9–33·6) in the SIRT group and 28·1 months (20·0–35·3) in the sorafenib group. Median overall survival was 8·0 months (95% CI 6·7–9·9) in the SIRT group versus 9·9 months (8·7–11·4) in the sorafenib group (hazard ratio 1·15 [95% CI 0·94–1·41] for SIRT vs sorafenib; p=0·18). In the safety population, at least one serious adverse event was reported in 174 (77%) of 226 patients in the SIRT group and in 176 (82%) of 216 in the sorafenib group. The most frequent grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (20 [9%] vs 41 [19%]), liver dysfunction (25 [11%] vs 27 [13%]), increased laboratory liver values (20 [9%] vs 16 [7%]), haematological abnormalities (23 [10%] vs 30 [14%]), diarrhoea (three [1%] vs 30 [14%]), abdominal pain (six [3%] vs 14 [6%]), increased creatinine (four [2%] vs 12 [6%]), and hand-foot skin reaction (one [ vs 12 [6%]). 19 deaths in the SIRT group and 12 in the sorafenib group were deemed to be treatment related. Interpretation In patients with locally advanced or intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma after unsuccessful transarterial chemoembolisation, overall survival did not significantly differ between the two groups. Quality of life and tolerance might help when choosing between the two treatments. Funding Sirtex Medical Inc.

Background Anthropometric measurements have been linked to resistance to anti-angiogenic treatment and survival. Methods Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib or brivanib in 2008–2011 were included in this retrospective study. Anthropometric measurements were assessed using computed tomography and were correlated with drug toxicity, radiological response, and overall survival. Results 52 patients were included, Barcelona Clinic Liver Classification B (38%) and C (62%), with a mean value of α-fetoprotein of 29,554 ± 85,654 ng/mL, with a median overall survival of 10.5 months. Sarcopenia was associated with a greater rate of hand–foot syndrome ( P = 0.049). Modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumours (mRECIST) and Choi criteria were significantly associated with survival, but RECIST criteria were not. An absence of hand–foot syndrome and high-visceral fat area were associated with progressive disease as assessed by RECIST and mRECIST criteria. In multivariate analyses, high visceral fat area (HR = 3.6; P = 0.002), low lean body mass (HR = 2.4; P = 0.015), and presence of hand–foot syndrome (HR = 1.8; P = 0.004) were significantly associated with overall survival. In time-dependent multivariate analyses; only high visceral fat area was associated with survival. Conclusion Visceral fat area is associated with survival and seems to be a predictive marker for primary resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose To determine the value of quantitative analysis of the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) in gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to differentiate focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) from hepatocellular adenoma (HCA). Materials and Methods Thirty-eight patients bearing 67 lesions (40 FNH; 27 HCA) were retrospectively included in this Institutional Review Board-approved study. The same volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) T1-weighted sequences were performed before and after contrast injection on a 1.5T MRI, with HBP images acquired with a mean delay of 80 minutes (range 60–120 min). After a visual assessment of lesions enhancement (qualitative HBP analysis), the HBP signal intensity ratio (SIR) and the lesion-to-liver contrast enhancement ratio (LLCER) were calculated for each lesion by two observers (Mann-Whitney test). The sensitivities, specificities (receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve analysis) and interobserver correlation (intraclass coefficient, ICC) of quantitative HBP analysis were determined. Results All FNH and 44.4% of HCA appeared hyper- or isointense relative to the adjacent liver on qualitative HBP analysis. The mean SIR (P

To assess the value of Hepatobiliary phase MRI (HPB-MRI) to differentiate FNH and HCA, and evaluate its impact on diagnostic accuracy, diagnostic confidence, inter-observer variability, and patient clinical management.Forty-nine patients referred for Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MRI were retrospectively included in this IRB-approved study, with a total of 119 lesions-90 FNH and 29 HCA. Two observers separately assessed in 2 distinct randomized reading sessions the performance of MRI with (HBP-MRI) or without (conventional MRI) the use of HBP images. Each lesion was ranked with a 5-point scale (from 1 Typical FNH to 5 Certainly not a FNH). Sensitivity, specificity, overall accuracy, and inter-observer agreement for the differentiation of FNH from HCA were calculated and compared between conventional and HBP-MRI.Both sensitivity (respective values of 38.9% and 97.8%), overall accuracy (respective values of 53.8% and 98.3%), and inter-observer agreement (respective values of Kappa 0.56 and 0.88) were significantly higher using HBP-MRI than with conventional MRI, with unchanged specificity (100%). The sensitivity of conventional MRI for the diagnosis of FNH was significantly lower in lesions ≤ 3 cm (20% vs. 88%). Overall, HBP could have changed lesion management in 59/119 cases (49.5%), including 53 FNH and 6 HCA with no impact in 60/119 lesions (50.5%) including all 35 lesions classified as scores 1 and 2 for the diagnosis of FNH.The clinical impact of HBP-MRI is mostly important for smaller than 3-cm FNH, and more limited in larger FNH lesions as well as for HCA diagnosis for which conventional MRI is already accurate. The use of extracellular contrast agents upfront could limit the required use of linear HBP contrast agents for benign hepatocellular lesion characterization. On HBP, all FNH appeared hypointense compared to adjacent liver while close to 97% of HCA appeared hypointense.

BACKGROUND Several studies have suggested the efficacy of baclofen in reducing alcohol consumption, leading to a temporary recommendation for use in France. AIM Our aim was to report our experience in using baclofen in alcohol-dependant patients with or without liver cirrhosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Consecutive patients from two liver and alcohol units were recruited over a 3-year period and received increasing doses of baclofen associated with social, psychological, and medical care. RESULTS One hundred patients were treated, of whom 65 were cirrhotic. After 1 year, 86 patients were still being followed up. At a mean dosage of 40 mg/day (extremes: 30-210), the median daily alcohol consumption reduced from 80 to 0 g/day (P

The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced sonography (CEUS) for the differentiation of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) from hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) according to lesion size. Forty patients with a definite diagnosis of FNH or HCA who underwent CEUS were included in this institutional review board (IRB)-approved study. A total of 43 FNHs and 20 HCAs, including 15 inflammatory HCAs and five unclassified HCAs, were analysed. Two radiologists reviewed the diagnostic CEUS parameters separately and in consensus, including the presence or absence of centrifugal filling and central vessels. The sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and inter-observer confidence (Kappa) of CEUS diagnostic parameters were assessed. Inter-observer agreement of CEUS for FNH diagnosis was high (kappa = 0.81) with an overall Se of 67.4 % [29/43 (CI 95 %: 51.4–80.1 %)] and an Sp of 100 % [20/20 (CI 95 %: 81–100 %)]. Significantly higher Se figures were found for lesions ≤ 35 mm than for lesions > 35 mm [respectively, 93 % (28/30) (CI 95 %: 77.6–99.2) vs. 7.7 % (1/13) (CI 95 %: 0.2–36 %), p = 0.002] with unchanged specificity. CEUS is highly specific for the diagnosis of FNH, with very good inter-observer agreement, whatever the size, but its sensitivity is significantly reduced in diagnosing lesions larger than 35 mm. • CEUS is highly specific for the diagnosis of FNH, regardless of lesion size • CEUS shows reduced sensitivity in diagnosing FNH lesions larger than 35 mm • The filling patterns of hepatocellular adenomas are not affected by lesion size

Management of patients with a benign hepatocellular tumor relies largely on imaging data; the diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) must be made with certainty using MRI, because no other clinical or laboratory data can help diagnosis. It is also essential to identify adenomas to manage them appropriately. The radiological report in these situations is therefore of major importance. However, there are diagnostic traps. The aim of this paper is to present the keys to the diagnosis of benign lesions and to warn of the main diagnostic pitfalls.

The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains poor, with only one third of patients eligible for curative treatments and very limited survival benefits with the use of sorafenib, the current standard of care for advanced disease. Recently, agents targeting the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)/programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint were shown to display impressive antitumor activity in various solid or hematological malignancies, including HCC. PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression is thought to represent a biomarker predictive of drug sensitivity. Here, we investigated PD-L1 expression in a series of 217 HCCs and correlated our results with clinical and histological features and immunohistochemical markers (PD-1, cytokeratin 19, glutamine synthetase, and β-catenin expression). PD-L1 expression by neoplastic cells was significantly associated with common markers of tumor aggressiveness (high serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, P = 0.038; satellite nodules, P

Steatosis is highly prevalent in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and has been reported to increase fibrosis and reduce the rate of viral eradication. Two recent studies indicate that endocannabinoids promote experimental steatosis via activation of hepatic CB1 receptors. We therefore investigated the impact of cannabis smoking on steatosis severity during CHC.A total of 315 consecutive patients with untreated CHC undergoing liver biopsy were included. Detailed histories of recent cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco use were recorded. Steatosis, activity, and fibrosis stage were assessed by 2 pathologists according to METAVIR. Marked steatosis was defined as/=30%. Patients were categorized as cannabis nonusers (63.5%), occasional cannabis smokers (12.4%), or daily cannabis smokers (24.1%).Multivariate analysis identified 6 predictors of marked steatosis: daily cannabis use (odds ratio [OR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-4.5]), activity grade/=A2 (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.0-4.3), genotype 3 (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 2.6-11.3), hyperglycemia or diabetes (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.8-15.0), body mass index27 kg/m(2) (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.0-4.3), and serum HCV RNA load (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0-2.9). Upon adjustment of HCV genotype (3 vs non-3) or alcohol intake (30 g/day vs/=30 g/day), marked steatosis was more frequent in daily cannabis users compared with occasional users and nonusers (P = .03 and P = .008, respectively).Our results identify daily cannabis smoking as a novel independent predictor of steatosis severity during CHC and strongly argue for a steatogenic role of the cannabinoid system. Cannabis use should be discouraged in patients with CHC.

252 Background: This open-label, multicenter, phase II study aimed at investigating the activity of sorafenib including radiological, pathological and biological changes in tumor from patients with resectable HCC. Methods: Preoperative administration of sorafenib 400 mg bid for 4 weeks was followed by surgery. Primary endpoints were antitumor activity and histological changes on paired tumor samples and plasma biomarkers between baseline and post sorafenib. Secondary endpoints were safety, R0 surgery and post-surgical complications. Results: Among 30 patients enrolled, 28 were evaluable for safety. Neoadjuvant sorafenib was not feasible in 3 patients (early limiting toxicities). Twenty-five patients (21 men; median age: 61.5 years) were evaluable for the primary endpoints. Baseline median tumor size was 37 mm and 21 patients (84%) had a single lesion. Median duration and dosing of sorafenib were 28 days and 793 mg/day respectively. Overall, the safety profile of preoperative sorafenib was good. According to RECIST criteria, all patients showed stable disease. Among 19 patients evaluated according to mRECIST and Choi criteria, objective responses were observed for 6 (32%) and 10 (53%) patients respectively. All evaluable patients went on liver resection and no unexpected complication occurred. R0 tumor resection was achieved in 22 patients (88%). Surgical specimen showed macrovascular and microvascular invasion in 12% and 48%, respectively. Intratumor necrosis was observed in 17 (68%) surgical specimen with necrosis ≥ 50% in 24 % of cases. Blood biomarkers analysis showed a trend toward increased angiogenesis biomarkers (VEGF-A, VEGF-C and PlGF) after sorafenib treatment. Biomarkers from pre- and post-treatment tissue will be presented during the meeting. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant sorafenib displays a favorable toxicity profile and yields significant activity in patients with resectable HCC. BIOSHARE trial also allows exploration of drug effects on tumor biology. Clinical trial information: NCT01182272.

The severity of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is modulated by host and environmental factors. Several reports suggest that caffeine intake exerts hepatoprotective effects in patients with chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of caffeine consumption on activity grade and fibrosis stage in patients with CHC.A total of 238 treatment-naïve patients with histologically-proven CHC were included in the study. Demographic, epidemiological, environmental, virological, and metabolic data were collected, including daily consumption of alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, and caffeine during the six months preceding liver biopsy. Daily caffeine consumption was estimated as the sum of mean intakes of caffeinated coffee, tea, and caffeine-containing sodas. Histological activity grade and fibrosis stage were scored according to Metavir. Patients (154 men, 84 women, mean age: 45±11 years) were categorized according to caffeine consumption quartiles: group 1 (225 mg/day, n=59), group 2 (225-407 mg/day, n=57), group 3 (408-678 mg/day, n=62), and group 4 (678 mg/day, n=60).There was a significant inverse relationship between activity grade and daily caffeine consumption: activity gradeA2 was present in 78%, 61%, 52%, and 48% of patients in group 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively (p0.001). By multivariate analysis, daily caffeine consumption greater than 408 mg/day was associated with a lesser risk of activity gradeA2 (OR=0.32 (0.12-0.85). Caffeine intake showed no relation with fibrosis stage.Caffeine consumption greater than 408 mg/day (3 cups or more) is associated with reduced histological activity in patients with CHC. These findings support potential hepatoprotective properties of caffeine in chronic liver diseases.

Background: Tacrolimus and cyclosporin inhibits the activity of calcineurin, a serine/threonine phosphatase that is involved in many physiological and pathological pathways. However, the baseline calcineurin phosphatase activity (CPA) measured before the transplant is unknown. In this study, we determine baseline CPA in liver transplant (LT) candidates and explore some factors that might modify it. Patients and methods: Thirty-two consecutive LT candidates (25 men, seven women, average age 53.4 years) were included. Seven millilitres of whole blood was collected from each patient. CPA was determined in lymphocytes quantifying a dephosphorylated peptide phosphorylated previously (D-L-D-V-P-I-P-G-R-F-D-R-R-V-S-V-A-A-E) by high-performance liquid chromatography. The relationship between CPA and the quantitative variables was tested according to Pearson's correlation. A two-way analysis of variance was performed to test the independent role of categorical parameters in CPA. Results: The median CPA was significantly lower in LT candidates than in healthy volunteers [179.2 (146.9–226.3) vs 247.8 (220.9–292.5) pmol/min/106 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), respectively, P=0.0002]. CPA was also significantly lower in alcoholic cirrhosis (152.2 vs 211.1 pmol/min/106 PBMC, P=0.04) and in the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (152.0 vs 213.5 pmol/min/106 PBMC, P=0.0074) compared with other liver diseases. A two-way analysis of variance showed that these parameters were independently associated with lower CPA (P=0.05 for alcohol and P=0.0056 for HCC respectively). Conclusion: This pilot study showed a lower CPA in patients with AC and HCC. This phenomenon may contribute towards lowering the risk of acute rejection in these patients after LT and, on the other hand, may increase the risk of de novo cancers.

During the early post-transplantation period, the limitations of monitoring current tacrolimus dose with classic pharmacokinetics (PK) have been demonstrated in liver-transplant recipients. Evaluation of the pharmacodynamics (PD) using calcineurin activity (CNA) has been proposed to optimize tacrolimus dosing. The aim of the present study was to determine the time of maximal inhibition of CNA, to explore the relation between exposure to tacrolimus and CNA, and to analyze its variability. Blood was drawn from 14 patients 0, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9 hours after tacrolimus intake on post-transplantation days 8, 21, and 90 to measure blood tacrolimus concentrations using the EMIT 2000 assay and CNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Tacrolimus and CNA data were obtained for 33 blood-sample collection sessions and analyzed using a population approach. Three models were built to describe tacrolimus PK, CNA kinetics, and the relationships between the area under the CNA-time curve (AUC12effCNA) and AUC12Tacrolimus or CminTacrolimus. Coagulation factor V and whole/split liver graft were identified as covariates influencing tacrolimus clearance. Indeed, apparent tacrolimus clearance rose by 14% when factor V increased by 10% and was threefold higher in patients with whole-liver grafts. The median maximal inhibition of CNA was reached 4 hours after tacrolimus intake on days 8, 21, and 90 and represented an 18% drop in CNA compared with activity at drug intake. The variability of the PK-PD relationship was minimal when using AUC12Tacrolimus. The large variability of the PD parameters (coefficient of variation was 89%) that linked AUC12effCNA to AUC12Tacrolimus indicates that monitoring tacrolimus concentrations may not be adequate to control CNA. Measuring CNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells 4 hours after tacrolimus intake during the first 3 months after liver transplantation could be a means to improve tacrolimus monitoring and thereby avoid acute graft-rejection episodes.

LBA173 Background: TGF-β signaling is associated with HCC progression in moderate to poorly differentiated tumors overexpressing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. We report here the safety, antitumor activity, and overall survival (OS) in HCC patients with elevated AFP treated with LY. Methods: Patients with advanced HCC who progressed on sorafenib (SF) or are ineligible to receive SF, advanced Child-Pugh A/B7 HCC, AFP ≥1.5x ULN, ECOG PS ≤1, measurable disease (RECIST 1.1), and ≤1 prior systemic regimen were eligible. LY was administered as intermittent dosing of 14 days on/off (28 days=1 cycle). Patients were randomized to either 160 mg/day (Arm A) or 300 mg/day (Arm B) LY. Primary endpoints were time-to-progression (TTP) and biomarker changes (serum AFP, TGF-β and E-cadherin) for each dose. AFP responders were defined as >20% decline from baseline. Secondary endpoints included toxicity (CTCAE, V 4.0) and pharmacokinetics (PK). Available data from interims are presented. Results: 109 patients were enrolled (Arm A=37; B=72). Baseline characteristics were (Arm A/B): median age 61/63 years; PS=0, 60%/53%; Child-Pugh A 97%/88%; etiology: hepatitis C 30%/38%, hepatitis B 27%/24%, alcohol 24%/25%. Overall, 78%/83% of patients had received prior SF; 57%/53% had AFP >400 ng/mL. Median TTP was 12.0 weeks (90% CI: 6.6, 12.6) in the overall population (Arm A/B, 12.1/10.0 weeks). In SF-naive patients, TTP was 18.3 weeks (90% CI: 6.6-42.4). TTP was higher in the non-alcohol compared to alcohol-only etiology group (median 12.1 vs. 6.1 weeks). Median baseline serum TGF-β1 was 3.4 ng/mL (range: 1.4-3.7) and E-cadherin was 6.1 mg/mL (range: 1.9-17.3). AFP decline of >20% occurred in 24% of patients. Based on the latest interim, median OS was 36 weeks. In AFP responders, median OS was 93.1 weeks vs 29.6 weeks in non AFP responders (Log Rank p=0.0006). Four patients discontinued treatment due to AEs. Most common grade 3/4 related AEs were: neutropenia (n=3), fatigue (n=2), and anemia (n=3). Preliminary PK analysis (n=51) demonstrated moderate interpatient exposure variability (42%). Conclusions: Based on the manageable toxicity profile, the evidence for biomarker responses, analysis of the aggregate PK/PD data, the 300 mg/day dose was chosen for future studies in HCC. Both TTP and overall survival in AFP responding patients is promising.

Background: TGF-β signaling is associated with HCC progression in moderate to poorly differentiated tumors. LY is a TGF-β receptor I kinase inhibitor currently in clinical testing in glioblastoma (GBM), hepatocellular, and pancreatic cancer. We report here the safety and PK/PD profile of LY in HCC patients. Methods: Patients with advanced HCC who progressed on or were ineligible to receive sorafenib (SF), advanced Child-Pugh A/B7 HCC, ECOG PS ≤1, measurable disease (RECIST 1.1), and ≤1 prior systemic regimen were eligible. LY was administered as intermittent dosing of 14 days on/14 days off (28 days = 1 cycle). Patients received either 160 mg/day or 300 mg/day. PK data were used to build a population PK model for HCC patients. This population PK model guided appropriate sampling and identification of potential demographic covariates. PD analysis included serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). AFP response was defined as at least 20% decrease. Results: Among 148 patients enrolled, 137 patients were evaluable for PK. There was dose-proportional increase in exposure (AUC0-∞ = 3.8 mg*h/L for 160 mg and AUC0-∞ = 7.0 mg*h/L for 300 mg dose). There were higher exposures in HCC patients than previously observed for exposures in GBM patients (AUC0-∞ = 2.1 mg*h/L for 160 mg and AUC0-∞ = 3.7 mg*h/L for 300mg dose)1. PK data suggested that total oral clearance (CL/F = 25.4 L/hr) of LY in HCC patients is lower than previously reported clearance in GBM patients (CL/F = 38.4 L/hr). Moderate between-patient variability on exposure was observed in HCC patients similar to GBM patients. LY appears to be fully eliminated at the end of the 14-days-off period of a cycle. Administration of 300 mg/day to patients with HCC may result in higher exposures compared to patients with GBM. These increased exposures did not result in increase of toxicities. Eight patients discontinued treatment due to a possibly drug-related adverse event (AE). LY was well tolerated, most adverse events being grade1-2. Most common grade 3/4 possibly drug-related AEs in patients were: neutropenia (n = 3), anemia (n = 3) and fatigue (n = 2). Thirty-nine percent of 69 patients with HCC who had baseline AFP of >200 ng/mL had AFP response. The median time-to-progression of responders vs. non-responders was 18 vs. 10 weeks (p Rodon AJ., et al. First human dose (FHD) study of the oral transforming growth factor-beta receptor I kinase inhibitor LY2157299 in patients with treatment-refractory malignant glioma. Abstract #3011. 2011 ASCO Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, USA. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):C261. Citation Format: Eric Raymond, Sandrine Faivre, Armondo Santoro, Robin K. Kelley, Robin K. Kelley, Philippe Merle, Ed Gane, Jean-Yves Douillard, Dirk Waldschmidt, Mary Mulcahy, Charlotte Costentin, Beatriz Minguez, Luca Di Lena, Ivelina Gueorguieva, Colin Miles, Ann Cleverly, Michael M. Lahn, Sophie Ameryckx, Karim A. Benhadji, Gianluigi Giannelli. Pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of the oral transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) receptor I kinase inhibitor LY2157299 monohydrate (LY) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to glioma patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C261.

4118 Background: TGF-ß signaling is associated with HCC progression in moderate to poorly differentiated tumors overexpressing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. We report here the safety and antitumor activity of LY in HCC patients with elevated AFP in this ongoing study. Methods: Patients with advanced HCC who progressed on sorafenib (SF) or are ineligible to receive SF, advanced Child-Pugh A/B7 HCC, AFP ≥1.5x ULN, ECOG PS ≤1, measurable disease (RECIST 1.1), and ≤1 prior systemic regimen were eligible. LY was administered as intermittent dosing of 14 days on/14 days off (28 days =1 cycle). Patients were randomized to either 160 mg/day (Arm A) or 300 mg/day (Arm B) LY. Primary endpoints were time-to-progression (TTP) and biomarker changes (serum AFP, TGF-ß and E-cadherin) for each dose. Secondary endpoints included toxicity (CTCAE, V 4.0) and pharmacokinetics (PK). Results: 106 patients were enrolled (Arm A=37; B=69), including 92% non-Asians. Baseline characteristics were (Arm A/B): median age 61/66 years; PS=0 60/51%; Child-Pugh A 97/86%; etiology: hepatitis C 30/33%, hepatitis B 24/25%, alcohol 22/22%. Overall, 78/83% of patients had received prior SF; 64/58% of patients had AFP ≥400 ng/mL. Median TTP was 12.0 weeks (90% CI: 7.1, 12.6) in the overall population (Arm A, 12.6 weeks; Arm B, 10.9 weeks). In SF-naïve patients, TTP was 18.3 weeks (90% CI: 6.3-non-estimable). TTP was higher in the non-alcohol compared to alcohol-only etiology group (median 12.1 vs. 6.1 weeks). Median baseline serum TGF-ß1 was 3.4 ng/mL (range: 1.4-3.7) and E-cadherin was 6.1 mg/mL (range: 1.9-17.3). AFP decline of >25% occurred in 21/106 patients (20%). Four patients discontinued treatment due to a drug-related AE. Most common grade 3/4 related AEs in patients were: neutropenia (n=3), GI bleeding (n=2), fatigue (n=2), and anemia (n=2). Preliminary PK analysis (51 patients) demonstrated moderate interpatient exposure variability (42%). Conclusions: Based on the manageable toxicity profile, the evidence for biomarker/TTP responses, and an analysis of the aggregate PK/PD data, the 300 mg/day dose was chosen for future studies in HCC. Clinical trial information: NCT01246986.