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To evaluate the impact of antiplatelet therapy (APT)on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mortality following its treatment.A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Databases. Two HCC clinical settings were explored: (i) incidence, and (ii) death after any HCC treatment. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated to compare the pooled data between patients who received or did not receive APT.A total of 20 studies were identified, of whom 15 focused on HCC incidence, including 2,685,009 patients, and five on post-treatment death, including 3281 patients. APT was associated with an overall reduced risk of HCC incidence (OR: 0.63; 95%CI = 0.51-0.79; p 0.001) as well as of post-treatment mortality (OR: 0.54; 95%CI = 0.35-0.83; p = 0.006).Current data suggest that APT correlated with higher HCC incidence and poor overall survival following tumour treatment.

Simple Summary This review proposes a comprehensive overview of the main prognostic systems for HCC classified as prognostic scores, staging systems, or combined systems. Prognostic systems for HCC are usually compared in terms of homogeneity, monotonicity of gradients, and discrimination ability. However, despite the great number of published studies comparing HCC prognostic systems, it is rather difficult to identify a system that could be universally accepted as the best prognostic scheme for all HCC patients encountered in clinical practice. In order to give a contribute in this topic, we conducted a study aimed at externally validate the MESH score and the CNLC classification using the ITA.LI.CA database. Abstract Prognostic assessment in patients with HCC remains an extremely difficult clinical task due to the complexity of this cancer where tumour characteristics interact with degree of liver dysfunction, patient general health status, and a large span of available treatment options. Several prognostic systems have been proposed in the last three decades, both from the Asian and European/North American countries. Prognostic scores, such as the CLIP score and the recent MESH score, have been generated on a solid statistical basis from real life population data, while staging systems, such as the BCLC scheme and the recent CNLC classification, have been created by experts according to recent HCC prognostic evidences from the literature. A third category includes combined prognostic systems that can be used both as prognostic scores and staging systems. A recent example is the ITA.LI.CA prognostic system including either a prognostic score and a simplified staging system. This review focuses first on an overview of the main prognostic systems for HCC classified according to the above three categories, and, second, on a comprehensive description of the methodology required for a correct comparison between different systems in terms of prognostic performance. In this second section the main studies in the literature comparing different prognostic systems are described in detail. Lastly, a formal comparison between the last prognostic systems proposed for each of the above three categories is performed using a large Italian database including 6882 HCC patients in order to concretely apply the comparison rules previously described.

Background: The correct approach for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is debatable, since multiple options are currently available. Percutaneous ablation (PA) is associated in some series to reduced morbidity compared to liver resection (LR), therefore, minimally invasive surgery may play a significant role in this setting. Methods: All consecutive patients treated by robotic liver resection (RLR) or PA between January 2014 and October 2019 for a newly diagnosed single HCC, less than 3 cm in size (very early/early stages according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)) on chronic liver disease or liver cirrhosis, were enrolled in this retrospective study. The aim of this study was to compare short- and long-term outcomes to define the best approach in this specific cohort. Results: 60 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 24 RLR and 36 PA. The two populations were homogeneous in terms of baseline characteristics. There were no statistically significant differences regarding the incidence of postoperative morbidity (RLR 38% vs. PA 19%, p = 0.15). The cumulative incidence of recurrence (CIR) was significantly higher in patients who underwent PA, with the one, two, and three years of CIR being 42%, 69%, and 73% in the PA group and 17%, 27%, and 27% in the RLR group, respectively. Conclusions: RLR provides a significantly higher potential of cure and tumor-related free survival in cases of newly diagnosed single HCCs smaller than 3 cm. Therefore, it can be considered as a first-line approach for the treatment of patients with those characteristics in high-volume centers with extensive experience in the field of hepatobiliary surgery and minimally invasive approaches.

Growing interest is recently being focused on the role played by the platelets in favoring hepatocellular cancer (HCC) growth and dissemination. The present review reports in detail both the experimental and clinical evidence published on this topic. Several growth factors and angiogenic molecules specifically secreted by platelets are directly connected with tumor progression and neo-angiogenesis. Among them, we can list the platelet-derived growth factor, the vascular endothelial growth factor, the endothelial growth factor, and serotonin. Platelets are also involved in tumor spread, favoring endothelium permeabilization and tumor cells' extravasation and survival in the bloodstream. From the bench to the clinics, all of these aspects were also investigated in clinical series, showing an evident correlation between platelet count and size of HCC, tumor biological behavior, metastatic spread, and overall survival rates. Moreover, a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the platelet-tumor axis represents a paramount aspect for optimizing both current tumor treatment and development of new therapeutic strategies against HCC. Growing interest is recently being focused on the role played by the platelets in favoring hepatocellular cancer (HCC) growth and dissemination. The present review reports in detail both the experimental and clinical evidence published on this topic. Several growth factors and angiogenic molecules specifically secreted by platelets are directly connected with tumor progression and neo-angiogenesis. Among them, we can list the platelet-derived growth factor, the vascular endothelial growth factor, the endothelial growth factor, and serotonin. Platelets are also involved in tumor spread, favoring endothelium permeabilization and tumor cells’ extravasation and survival in the bloodstream. From the bench to the clinics, all of these aspects were also investigated in clinical series, showing an evident correlation between platelet count and size of HCC, tumor biological behavior, metastatic spread, and overall survival rates. Moreover, a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the platelet–tumor axis represents a paramount aspect for optimizing both current tumor treatment and development of new therapeutic strategies against HCC.

The Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) algorithm is the most widely accepted staging system form hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver resection is traditionally proposed to early stage HCC (BCLC-0/A), even if recent reports have shown that surgical resection could provide a safe and effective treatment also for intermediate-stage HCC (BCLC-B). In this study, we focused on surgical and oncological outcomes of hepatic resection in BLCB-B patients. Patients who received hepatic resection for early- (BCLC-0/A) or intermediate-stage (BCLC-B) HCC in two tertiary hepatobiliary centers between January 2003 and December 2016 were included in study. Four-hundred and twenty-nine patients were included in the analysis. At the time of resection, 298 patients were classified as BCLC-A/0 and 131 as BCLC-B. Despite a higher complication rate in BCLC-B group (49.6% vs 32.9%; p = 0.001), the incidence of clinically relevant complications did not differ significantly between the two groups (16.0% vs 10.1%; p = 0.079); moreover, postoperative mortality (4.6% vs 2.7%; p = 0.309) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were similar between BCLC-0/A and BCLC-B group (1-, 3-, and 5-year RFS: 74, 43, and 31% vs 59, 38, and 34%; p = 0.180). Overall survival was slightly worse in BCLC-B group (1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival of 89, 70, and 52% vs. 77, 51, and 44%; p = 0.004). Focusing on BCLC-B group, a Child–Pugh score B (HR 2.47; p = 0.003), growing number of nodules (HR 3.04; p = 0.003), and R1 resection (HR 2.43; p = 0.005) beard a higher risk of tumor recurrence, while overall survival was negatively affected by the presence of more than two nodules (HR 3.66; p = 0.0001) and R1 resection (HR 3.06; p = 0.0001); patients presenting single-large HCC experienced a better overall survival (HR 0.53; p = 0.014) and lower recurrence-rate (HR 0.60; p = 0.046). Hepatic resection for intermediate-stage HCC shows acceptable results in terms of perioperative morbidity and mortality, with better oncological outcomes in patients with lower number of lesions despite of their size.

This retrospective study reports the data of sofosbuvir-based anti-hepatitis C virus treatment in 24 candidates and 24 recipients of liver transplantation coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus. Sustained virologic response was cumulatively 85% (90% and 100% in those treated with optimal schedules pre- and posttransplant, respectively).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Selection of patients with hepa- to-cellular carcinoma for liver transplantation is gen- erally performed according to the so-called Milan cri- teria. The aim of this study was to learn whether, after down-staging loco-regional therapies, patients origi- nally non-fulfilling the MC (Milan-OUT) meet these criteria (Milan-IN).METHODOLOGY: Between January 2000 and December 2008, 172 patients with HCC re- ceived LT at our Department. Of these, 142 were sub- jected to DS before LT.RESULTS: Of the 142 patients who received DS, 115 (81%) were Milan-IN and 27 (19%) were Milan-OUT at the time of their enrollment in the waiting list for LT. After a median follow-up of 50 months, overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival and dis- ease recurrence-free survival were not significantly different.CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Milan-OUT HCC can be successfully subjected to LT when they fulfill the MC after being subjected to DS. Imaging progres- sion while on the waiting list is a strong predictor of high rates of HCC recurrence even in patients meet- ing the MC. Lack of imaging progression seems to be a strong predictor of positive LT outcome and should be added to the eligibility criteria for the assessment of LT candidates with HCC.

Background/Aims: Mutual interactions between portal vein and hepatic artery can be documented during hepatobiliary surgery. Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) is a recently introduced surgical technique which can also represent a unique living human model to investigate intrahepatic blood circulation. We report three consecutive cases in which a residual right portal branch flow was clearly detectable after first-step ALPPS, and try to further investigate this unexpected finding with intraoperative clamping tests. Methodology: Every patient was evaluated with CT scan 7 days after first-step ALPPS and Intraoperative Doppler Ultrasonography (IOUS) at both steps of the procedure. Results: In every patient, CT scan and second-step IOUS demonstrated a clear hepatopetal flow distally to the divided right portal branch. The flow was present after right biliary duct clamping and stopped after right total hilar clamping as well as after right hepatic artery occlusion. Conclusions: Neither cross-portal circulation between the two hemilivers nor trans-sinusoidal backflow from the hepatic veins can explain these findings, which are rather consistent with a refilling of the occluded portal branch through the opening of intrahepatic arterioportal shunts (APS). APS could represent the simplest homeostatic mechanism that regulate intrahepatic blood flow

Background: The application of robotic-assisted surgery offers EndoWrist instruments and 3-D visualization of the operative field, which are improvements over traditional laparoscopy. The results of the few studies published so far have shown that living donor nephrectomy using the robot-assisted technique is safe, feasible, and offers advantages to patients. Materials and methods: Since November 2009, 16 patients have undergone robotic-assisted living donor nephrectomy at our Institute. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique adopted for the procedure: Group A, hand-assisted robotic nephrectomy (eight patients); Group B, totally robotic nephrectomy (eight patients). Results: Intra-operative bleeding was similar in the two groups (90 vs 100mL for Group A and B, respectively). Median warm ischemia time was significantly shorter in Group A (2.3 vs 5.1min for Group A and B, respectively, P-value=0.05). Switching to the open procedure was never required. Median operative time was not significantly longer in Group A than Group B (275min vs 250min, respectively). Conclusion: Robotic assisted living kidney recovery is a safe and effective procedure. Considering the overall technical, clinical, and feasibility aspects of living kidney donation, we believe that the robotic assisted technique is the method of choice for surgeon's comfort and donors' safety