Search

Abstract Background Multimodal two-stage hepatectomy (mTSH) is used in patients with bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) that cannot be treated with one surgical procedure due to insufficient future liver remnant. Interval chemotherapy has been proposed to improve disease control in CRLM patients undergoing mTSH. We here present a narrative review of clinical studies on mTSH including the use of interval chemotherapy in patients with CRLM. Methods A systematic literature search of the PubMed databases as well as the ClinicalTrials.gov registry was performed. Results The use of interval chemotherapy during mTSH was reported in 23 studies and applied in 595 out of 1,461 patients with CRLM. Two studies report on the actual effects of this treatment, one study describes a trend towards improved disease progression rate. No serious adverse events caused by interval chemotherapy were observed. There is currently no randomized clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of interval chemotherapy during mTSH. Conclusion The currently available data indicate that interval chemotherapy does neither impair liver hypertrophy during mTSH nor cause procedure-associated complications in patients with CRLM. Results from randomized clinical trials on the potential positive effect on disease control are not yet available.

Abstract Background and Aims Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC) is an aggressive tumor, usually detected at an advanced stage. Our aim was to investigate the potential of body composition analysis (BCA) derived from presurgical staging computed tomography (CT) in predicting perisurgical complications. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled 86 patients who underwent CT imaging prior to liver surgery. Cox and logistic regression were performed to assess risk factors for prolonged hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays, as well as the occurrence of various complications. BCA parameters served as covariates besides conventional risk factors. Results Postoperative complications after resection of iCC significantly prolonged the overall length of hospitalization (p

Background: Two-staged hepatectomy (TSH) including portal vein embolization (PVE) may offer surgical treatment for extensive bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and outcomes of extended right hepatectomy (ERH) within TSH including PVE for patients with extended CRLM. Methods: We retrospectively collected data of patients who underwent TSH for extended CRLM between 2015 and 2021 at our institution. Clearance of the left liver lobe (clear-up, CU) associated with PVE was followed by ERH. Results: Minimally invasive (n = 12, 46%, MIH) or open hepatectomy (n = 14, 54%, OH) was performed. Postoperative major morbidity and 90-day mortality were 54% and 0%. Three-year overall survival was 95%. Baseline characteristics, postoperative and long-term outcomes were comparable between MIH and OH. However, hospital stay was significantly shorter after MIH (8 vs. 15 days, p = 0.008). Additionally, the need for intraoperative transfusions tended to be lower in the MIH group (17% vs. 50%, p = 0.110). Conclusions: ERH following CU and PVE for extended CRLM is feasible and safe in laparoscopic and open approaches. MIH for ERH may result in shorter postoperative hospital stays. Further high-volume, multicenter studies are required to evaluate the potential superiority of MIH.

Abstract Background Body composition alterations are frequent in patients with cancer or chronic liver disease, but their prognostic value remains unclear in many cancer entities. Objective We investigated the impact of disease aetiology and body composition after surgery for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), a rare and understudied cancer entity in European and North American cohorts. Methods Computer tomography‐based assessment of body composition at the level of the third lumbar vertebra was performed in 173 patients undergoing curative‐intent liver resection for iCCA at the Department of Surgery, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Muscle mass and ‐composition as well as subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue quantity were determined semi‐automatically. (Secondary) sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, myosteatosis, visceral and subcutaneous obesity were correlated to clinicopathological data. Results Sarcopenia was associated with post‐operative morbidity (intraoperative transfusions [p = 0.027], Clavien–Dindo ≥ IIIb complications [p = 0.030], post‐operative comprehensive complication index, CCI [p 65, fresh frozen plasma transfusions) as independently prognostic for overall survival. Conclusion This study evidenced a high prevalence of MAFLD in iCCA, suggesting its potential contribution to disease aetiology. Alterations of muscle mass and adipose tissue were more frequent in patients with MAFLD.

Abstract Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a rare, understudied primary hepatic malignancy with dismal outcomes. Aiming to identify prognostically relevant single-nucleotide polymorphisms, we analyzed 11 genetic variants with a role in tumor-promoting inflammation (VEGF, EGF, EGFR, IL-1B, IL-6, CXCL8 (IL-8), IL-10, CXCR1, HIF1A and PTGS2 (COX-2) genes) and their association with disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing curative-intent surgery for iCCA. Genomic DNA was isolated from 112 patients (64 female, 48 male) with iCCA. Germline polymorphisms were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism protocols. The IL-1B +3954 C/C (73/112, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.735, p = 0.012) and the IL-8 -251 T/A or A/A (53/112 and 16/112, HR = 2.001 and 1.1777, p = 0.026) genotypes were associated with shorter OS in univariable and multivariable analysis. The IL-1B +3954 polymorphism was also associated with shorter DFS (HR = 1.983, p = 0.012), but this effect was not sustained in the multivariable model. A genetic risk model of 0, 1 and 2 unfavorable alleles was established and confirmed in multivariable analysis. This study supports the prognostic role of the IL-1B C+3954T and the IL-8 T-251A variant as outcome markers in iCCA patients, identifying patient subgroups at higher risk for dismal clinical outcomes.

Objective:. To compare the outcome of minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) to open liver surgery (OLS) for resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) on a nationwide level. Background:. Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy worldwide. Up to 50% of all patients with colorectal cancer develop CRLM. MILS represents an attractive alternative to OLS for treatment of CRLM. Methods:. Retrospective cohort study using the prospectively recorded German Quality management registry for liver surgery. Propensity-score matching was performed to account for variance in the extent of resection and patient demographics. Results:. In total, 1037 patients underwent liver resection for CRLM from 2019 to 2021. MILS was performed in 31%. Operative time was significantly longer in MILS (234 vs 222 minutes, P = 0.02) compared with OLS. After MILS, median length of hospital stay (LOS) was significantly shorter (7 vs 10 days; P < 0.001). Despite 76% of major resections being OLS, postoperative complications and 90-day morbidity and mortality did not differ. The Pringle maneuver was more frequently used in MILS (48% vs 40%, P = 0.048). After propensity-score matching for age, body mass index, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and extent of resection, LOS remained shorter in the MILS cohort (6 vs 10 days, P < 0.001) and operative time did not differ significantly (P = 0.2). Conclusion:. MILS is not the standard for resection of CRLM in Germany. Drawbacks, such as a longer operative time remain. However, if technically possible, MILS is a reasonable alternative to OLS for resection of CRLM, with comparable postoperative complications, reduced LOS, and equal oncological radicality.

Abstract Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare but highly aggressive malignancy of the biliary system. Although it is amenable to surgical resection in early disease, outcomes are frequently dismal. Here, we investigated the prevalence of body composition (BC) alterations and their prognostic role for surgical patients with intrahepatic (iCCA) and perihilar (pCCA) disease. Patients undergoing curative‐intent surgery for iCCA or pCCA between 2010 and 2019 at University Hospital Aachen were included. Axial computed tomography images were retrospectively assessed with a segmentation tool (3D Slicer) at the level of the third lumbar vertebra to determine lumbar skeletal muscle (SM) index, mean SM radiation attenuation, and visceral fat area. The related BC pathologies sarcopenia, myosteatosis, visceral obesity, and sarcopenic obesity were determined using previously described cutoffs. A total of 189 patients (86 with iCCA, 103 with pCCA) were included. Alterations of BC were highly prevalent in iCCA and pCCA, respectively: sarcopenia, 33% (28/86) and 39% (40/103); myosteatosis, 66% (57/86) and 66% (68/103); visceral obesity, 56% (48/86) and 67% (69/103); sarcopenic obesity, 11% (9/86) and 17% (17/103). Sarcopenia and myosteatosis did not have a significant prognostic role for disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Patients with iCCA with sarcopenic obesity (n = 9) had significantly shorter OS than patients without sarcopenic obesity (n = 7; log‐rank p = 0.002; median OS, 11 months and 31 months; 1‐year mortality, 55.6% [5/9] and 22% [17/77]; 5‐year mortality, 88.9% [8/9] and 61% [47/77], respectively). In multivariable analysis, only tumor‐related risk factors remained prognostic for DFS and OS. Sarcopenic obesity may affect clinical outcomes after curative‐intent surgery for iCCA, indicating that imaging‐based analysis of BC may hold prognostic value for long‐term survival and could aid preoperative patient selection.

Abstract Background Additive/adjuvant chemotherapy as concept after local treatment of colorectal metastases has not been proven to be successful by phase III trials. Accordingly, a standard of care to improve relapse rates and long-term survival is not established and adjuvant chemotherapy cannot be recommended as a standard therapy due to limited evidence in literature. The PORT trial aims to generate evidence that post-resection/ablation/radiation chemotherapy improves the survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods Patients to be included into this trial must have synchronous or metachronous metastases of colorectal cancer—either resected (R0 or R1) and/or effectively treated by ablation or radiation within 3–10 weeks before randomization—and have the primary tumor resected, without radiographic evidence of active metastatic disease at study entry. The primary endpoint of the trial is progression-free survival after 24 months, secondary endpoints include overall survival, safety, quality of life, treatments (including efficacy) beyond study participation, translational endpoints, and others. One arm of the study comprising 2/3 of the population will be treated for 6 months with modified FOLFOXIRI or modified FOLFOX6 (investigator´s choice, depending on the performance status of the patients but determined before randomization), while the other arm (1/3 of the population) will be observed and undergo scheduled follow-up computed tomography scans according to the interventional arm. Discussion Optimal oncological management after removal of colorectal metastases is unclear. The PORT trial aims to generate evidence that additive/adjuvant chemotherapy after definitive treatment of colorectal metastases improves progression free and overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer. Trial registration This study is registered with clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT05008809 ) and EudraCT (2020–006,144-18).

A growing number of clinical risk scores have been proposed to predict allograft failure after liver transplantation. However, validation of currently available scores in the Eurotransplant region is still lacking. We aimed to analyze all clinically relevant donor and recipient risk scores on a large German liver transplantation data set and performed a retrospective cohort analysis of liver transplantations performed at the Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin from January 2007 until December 2021 with organs from donation after brain death. We analyzed 9 previously published scores in 906 liver transplantations [Eurotransplant donor risk index (ET-DRI/DRI), donor age and model for end-stage liver disease (D-MELD), balance of risk (BAR), early allograft dysfunction (EAD), model for early allograft function (MEAF), liver graft assessment following transplantation (L-GrAFT7), early allograft failure simplified estimation (EASE), and a score by Rhu and colleagues). The EASE score had the best predictive value for 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month graft survival with a c-statistic of 0.8, 0.77, and 0.78, respectively. In subgroup analyses, the EASE score was suited best for male recipients with a high-MELD (>25) and an EAD organ. Scores only based on pretransplant data performed worse compared to scores including postoperative data (eg, ET-DRI vs. EAD, p

Abstract Body composition and myosteatosis affect clinical outcomes in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Here we aimed to compare the value and limitations of various selection criteria to define pre-transplant myosteatosis in the assessment of short- and long-term outcomes following OLT. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 264 consecutive recipients who underwent deceased donor OLT at a German university medical centre. Myosteatosis was evaluated by preoperative computed-tomography-based segmentation. Patients were stratified using muscle radiation attenuation of the whole muscle area (L3Muslce-RA), psoas RA (L3Psoas-RA) and intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC) values. L3Muslce-RA, L3Psoas-RA and IMAC performed well without major differences and identified patients at risk for inferior outcomes in the group analysis. Quartile-based analyses, receiver operating characteristic curve and correlation analyses showed a superior association of L3Muslce-RA with perioperative outcomes when compared to L3Psoas-RA and L3IMAC. Long-term outcome did not show any major differences between the used selection criteria. This study confirms the prognostic role of myosteatosis in OLT with a particularly strong value in the perioperative phase. Although, based on our data, L3Muscle-RA might be the most suitable and recommended selection criterion to assess CT-based myosteatosis when compared to L3Psoas-RA and L3IMAC, further studies are warranted to validate these findings.

Abstract Background Myosteatosis is associated with perioperative outcomes in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Here, we investigated the effects of body composition and myosteatosis on long‐term graft and patient survival following OLT. Methods Clinical data from 225 consecutive OLT recipients from a prospective database were retrospectively analysed (May 2010 to December 2017). Computed tomography‐based lumbar skeletal muscle index (SMI) (muscle mass) and mean skeletal muscle radiation attenuation (SM‐RA) (myosteatosis) were calculated using a segmentation tool (3D Slicer). Patients with low skeletal muscle mass (low SMI) and myosteatosis (low SM‐RA) were identified using predefined and validated cut‐off values. Results The mean donor and recipient age was 55 ± 16 and 54 ± 12 years, respectively. Some 67% of the recipients were male. The probability of graft and patient survival was significantly lower in patients with myosteatosis compared with patients with higher SM‐RA values (P = 0.011 and P = 0.001, respectively). Low skeletal muscle mass alone was not associated with graft and patient survival (P = 0.273 and P = 0.278, respectively). Dividing the cohort into quartiles, based on the values of SMI and SM‐RA, resulted in significant differences in patient but not in graft survival (P = 0.011). Even though multivariable analysis identified low SM‐RA as an important prognostic marker (hazard ratio: 2.260, 95% confidence interval: 1.177–4.340, P = 0.014), myosteatosis lost its significance when early mortality (90 days) was excluded from the final multivariable model. Patients with myosteatosis showed significantly higher all‐cause mortality and in particular higher rates of deaths due to respiratory and septic complication (P = 0.002, P = 0.022, and P = 0.049, respectively). Conclusions Preoperative myosteatosis may be an important prognostic marker in patients undergoing deceased donor liver transplantation. The prognostic value of myosteatosis seems to be particularly important in the early post‐operative phase. Validation in prospective clinical trials is warranted.

Abstract Background Keratins (Ks) represent tissue-specific proteins. K18 is produced in hepatocytes while K19, the most widely used ductular reaction (DR) marker, is found in cholangiocytes and hepatic progenitor cells. K18-based serum fragments are commonly used liver disease predictors, while K19-based serum fragments detected through CYFRA21-1 are established tumor but not liver disease markers yet. Since DR reflects the severity of the underlying liver disease, we systematically evaluated the usefulness of CYFRA21-1 in different liver disease severities and etiologies. Methods Hepatic expression of ductular keratins (K7/K19/K23) was analyzed in 57 patients with chronic liver disease (cohort i). Serum CYFRA21-1 levels were measured in 333 Austrians with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) of various etiologies undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement (cohort ii), 231 French patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (cohort iii), and 280 hospitalized Germans with decompensated cirrhosis of various etiologies (cohort iv). Results (i) Hepatic K19 levels were comparable among F0–F3 fibrosis stages, but increased in cirrhosis. Hepatic K19 mRNA strongly correlated with the levels of other DR-specific keratins. (ii) In ACLD, increased serum CYFRA21-1 associated with the presence of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH; HVPG ≥ 10 mmHg) (OR = 5.87 [2.95–11.68]) and mortality (HR = 3.02 [1.78–5.13]; median follow-up 22 months). (iii) In alcoholic cirrhosis, elevated serum CYFRA21-1 indicated increased risk of death/liver transplantation (HR = 2.59 [1.64–4.09]) and of HCC (HR = 1.74 [1.02–2.96]) over the long term (median follow-up 73 months). (iv) In decompensated cirrhosis, higher serum CYFRA21-1 predicted 90-day mortality (HR = 2.97 [1.92–4.60]) with a moderate accuracy (AUROC 0.64), independently from established prognostic scores. Conclusions Hepatic K19 mRNA and serum CYFRA21-1 levels rise in cirrhosis. Increased CYFRA21-1 levels associate with the presence of CSPH and reliably indicate mortality in the short and long term independently of conventional liver biochemistry markers or scoring systems. Hence, the widely available serum CYFRA21-1 constitutes a novel, DR-related marker with prognostic implications in patients with different settings of advanced liver disease.

Abstract Background Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) and two stage hepatectomy with inter-stage portal vein embolization (TSH/PVE) are surgical maneuvers applied in patients with advanced malignancies considered unresectable by means of conventional liver surgery. The aim of this report is to compare the oncologic outcome and technical feasibility of ALPPS and TSH/PVE in the scenario of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Methods All consecutive patients who underwent either ALPPS or TSH/PVE for CRLM between 2011 and 2017 in one hepatobiliary center were analyzed and compared regarding perioperative and long-term oncologic outcome. Results A cohort of 58 patients who underwent ALPPS (n = 21) or TSH/PVE (n = 37) was analyzed. The median overall survival (OS) was 28 months and 34 months after ALPPS and TSH/PVE (p = 0.963), respectively. The median recurrence-free survival (RFS) was higher following ALPPS with 19 months than following TSH/PVE with 10 months, but marginally failed to achieve statistical significance (p = 0.05). There were no differences in morbidity and mortality after stages 1 and 2. Patients undergoing ALPPS due to insufficient hypertrophy after TSH/PVE (rescue-ALPPS) displayed similar oncologic outcome as patients treated by conventional ALPPS or TSH/PVE (p = 0.971). Conclusions ALPPS and TSH/PVE show excellent technical feasibility and comparable long-term oncologic outcome in CRLM. Rescue ALPPS appears to be a viable option for patients displaying insufficient hypertrophy after a TSH/PVE approach.

Background Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is a rare primary liver malignancy. Even in patients amenable to surgery, outcomes are often dismal. Here, we aimed to identify prognostic markers for patient outcomes by analyzing functionally relevant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes with a role in tumor inflammation and angiogenesis. We analyzed 11 polymorphisms in the inflammation-angiogenesis axis (VEGF, EGF, EGFR, IL-1b, IL-6, CXCL8 (IL-8), IL-10, CXCR1, HIF1A and COX2 genes) for their prediction of tumor recurrence and survival in pCCA patients undergoing surgery in a curative intent. Methods Samples were obtained from 111 patients with pCCA undergoing liver resection in curative intent. DNA was extracted and analyzed using PCR-RFLP protocols and correlated with patients’ outcomes. Results Out of the assessed variants, only the CXCR1 (also: Interleukine-8-receptor alpha – IL-8RA) +860 C>G heterozygous polymorphism (rs2234671) was associated with decreased disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) (18/111 (16.2%), median DFS 14 months, log-rank p=0.007, median CCS 31 months, log-rank p=0.007, median OS 6 months, log-rank p=0.002), compared to the GG genotype (92/111 (82.9%), median DFS 55 months, median CCS 63 months, median OS 33 months). In multivariate analysis, +860 C>G remained an independent prognostic factor for DFS (adjusted p=0.008), CCS (adjusted p=0.001) and OS (adjusted p=0.001). Conclusion Genetic variant of CXCR1 +860 C>G may serve as a molecular marker for DFS, CSS and OS in patients undergoing curative-intent surgery for pCCA, indicating that the analysis of SNPs in genes involved in immune-mediated angiogenesis may help to identify patient subgroups at high risk for dismal oncological and overall outcome.

Background and Objectives: After liver transplantation (LT), long-term immunosuppression (IS) is essential. IS is associated with de novo malignancies, and the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increased in LT patients. We assessed course of disease in patients with de novo CRC after LT with focus of IS and impact on survival in a retrospective, single-center study. Materials and Methods: All patients diagnosed with CRC after LT between 1988 and 2019 were included. The management of IS regimen following diagnosis and the oncological treatment approach were analyzed: Kaplan–Meier analysis as well as univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. Results: A total of 33 out of 2744 patients were diagnosed with CRC after LT. Two groups were identified: patients with restrictive IS management undergoing dose reduction (RIM group, n = 20) and those with unaltered regimen (maintenance group, n = 13). The groups did not differ in clinical and oncological characteristics. Statistically significant improved survival was found in Kaplan–Meier analysis for patients in the RIM group with 83.46 (8.4–193.1) months in RIM and 24.8 (0.5–298.9) months in the maintenance group (log rank = 0.02) and showed a trend in multivariate cox regression (p = 0.054, HR = 14.3, CI = 0.96–213.67). Conclusions: Immunosuppressive therapy should be reduced further in patients suffering from CRC after LT in an individualized manner to enable optimal oncological therapy and enable improved survival.

Abstract Background Cancer cachexia represents a central obstacle in medical oncology as it is associated with poor therapy response and reduced overall survival. Systemic inflammation is considered to be a key driver of cancer cachexia; however, clinical studies with anti‐inflammatory drugs failed to show distinct cachexia‐inhibiting effects. To address this contradiction, we investigated the functional importance of innate immune cells for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)‐associated cachexia. Methods A transgenic HCC mouse model was intercrossed with mice harbouring a defect in myeloid cell‐mediated inflammation. Body composition of mice was analysed via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and microcomputed tomography. Quantitative PCR was used to determine adipose tissue browning and polarization of adipose tissue macrophages. The activation state of distinct areas of the hypothalamus was analysed via immunofluorescence. Multispectral immunofluorescence imaging and immunoblot were applied to characterize sympathetic neurons and macrophages in visceral adipose tissue. Quantification of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in mouse serum was performed with a multiplex immunoassay. Visceral adipose tissue of HCC patients was quantified via the L3 index of computed tomography scans obtained during routine clinical care. Results We identified robust cachexia in the HCC mouse model as evidenced by a marked loss of visceral fat and lean mass. Computed tomography‐based analyses demonstrated that a subgroup of human HCC patients displays reduced visceral fat mass, complementing the murine data. While the myeloid cell‐mediated inflammation defect resulted in reduced expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the serum of HCC‐bearing mice, this unexpectedly did not translate into diminished but rather enhanced cachexia‐associated fat loss. Defective myeloid cell‐mediated inflammation was associated with decreased macrophage abundance in visceral adipose tissue, suggesting a role for local macrophages in the regulation of cancer‐induced fat loss. Conclusions Myeloid cell‐mediated inflammation displays a rather unexpected beneficial function in a murine HCC model. These results demonstrate that immune cells are capable of protecting the host against cancer‐induced tissue wasting, adding a further layer of complexity to the pathogenesis of cachexia and providing a potential explanation for the contradictory results of clinical studies with anti‐inflammatory drugs.

Acute cellular rejection (ACR) after liver transplantation (LT) goes along with allograft dysfunction, which is diagnosed by liver biopsy and concomitant histological analysis, representing the gold standard in clinical practice. Yet, liver biopsies are invasive, costly, time-intensive and require expert knowledge. Herein we present substantial evidence that blood plasma residing peripheral liver-derived extracellular particles (EP) could be employed to diagnose ACR non-invasively. In vitro experiments showed organ-specific EP release from primary human hepatocytes under immunological stress. Secondly, analysis of consecutive LT patients (n=11) revealed significant heightened EP concentrations days before ACR. By conducting a diagnostic accuracy study (n = 69, DRKS00011631), we explored the viability of using EP as a liquid biopsy for diagnosing ACR following LT. Consequently, novel EP populations in samples were identified using visualization of t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (viSNE) and self-organizing maps (FlowSOM) algorithms. As a result, the ASGR1+CD130+Annexin V+ EP subpopulation exhibited the highest accuracy for predicting ACR (area under the curve: 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70–0.90), with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100% (95% CI, 81.67–100.0%) and 68.5% (95% CI, 55.3–79.3%), respectively. In summary, this new EP subpopulation presented the highest diagnostic accuracy for detecting ACR in LT patients.

Background & Aims: Surgical resection is the only potentially curative therapy for patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC), but 5-year survival rates after tumor resection have remained below 30%, corroborating the need for better stratification tools to identify the ideal surgical candidates. The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) represents a mediator of inflammation and has been associated with distinct types of cancer. In this study, we evaluated a potential role of suPAR as a novel biomarker in patients undergoing BTC resection. Methods: Tumor expression of uPAR was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 108 BTC samples. Serum levels of suPAR were analyzed by ELISA in a training and validation cohort comprising a total of 117 patients with BTC and 76 healthy controls. Results: High tumoral uPAR expression was associated with an adverse outcome after BTC resection. Accordingly, circulating levels of suPAR were significantly elevated in patients with BTC compared to healthy controls, as well as in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Using a small training set, we established an optimal prognostic suPAR cut-off value of 3.72 ng/ml for patients with BTC. Importantly, preoperative suPAR serum levels above this cut-off value were associated with significantly impaired overall survival in both the training and validation cohort. Multivariate Cox-regression analysis including various clinicopathological parameters such as tumor stage, markers of inflammation and organ dysfunction, as well as tumor markers, revealed circulating suPAR levels as an independent prognostic marker following BTC resection. Finally, high preoperative suPAR levels were indicative of acute kidney injury after tumor resection. Conclusion: Circulating suPAR represents a previously unrecognized biomarker in patients with resectable BTC, which might help to preoperatively identify the ideal candidates for liver surgery. Lay summary: Surgical resection represents the only curative treatment option for patients with biliary tract cancer, but not all patients benefit to the same extent in terms of overall survival. Here, we provide evidence that serum levels of an inflammatory mediator (suPAR) are indicative of a patient's postoperative outcome and might thus help to identify the ideal surgical candidates. Keywords: suPAR, biomarker, BTC, cholangiocarcinoma, CCA, acute kidney injury, CEA, CA19-9

Non-adherence to immunosuppressant therapy reduces long-term graft and patient survival after solid organ transplantation. The objective of this 24-month prospective study was to determine adherence, efficacy and safety after conversion of stable liver transplant (LT) recipients from a standard twice-daily immediate release Tacrolimus (IR-Tac) to a novel once-daily life cycle pharma Tacrolimus (LCP-Tac) formulation. We converted a total of 161 LT patients at baseline, collecting Tacrolimus trough levels, laboratories, physical examination data and the BAASIS© questionnaire for self-reported adherence to immunosuppression at regular intervals. With 134 participants completing the study period (17% dropouts), the overall adherence to the BAASIS© increased by 57% until month 24 compared to baseline (51% vs. 80%). Patients who required only a morning dose of their concomitant medications reported the largest improvement in adherence after conversion. The intra-patient variability (IPV) of consecutive Tacrolimus trough levels after conversion did not change significantly compared to pre-conversion levels. Despite reducing the daily dose by 30% at baseline as recommended by the manufacturer, Tac-trough levels remained stable, reflected by an increase in the concentration-dose (C/D) ratio. No episodes of graft rejection or loss occurred. Our data suggest that the use of LCP-Tac in liver transplant patients is safe and can increase adherence to immunosuppression compared to conventional IR-Tac.

As COVID-19 remains an issue in transplantation medicine, a successful vaccination can prevent infections and life-threatening courses. The probability of poor immune response in liver transplant recipients gained attention and insecurity among those patients, leading us to investigate the humoral immune response alongside the influence of underlying diseases and immunosuppressive regimen on seroconversion rates. We included 118 patients undergoing anti-spike-protein-IgG testing at least 21 days after completed SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Ninety-seven patients also underwent anti-spike-protein-IgA testing. The influence of baseline demographics, immunosuppressive regimen and underlying disease on seroconversion was analyzed, and 92 of 118 patients (78.0%) developed anti-spike-protein-IgG antibodies. Patients with a history of alcoholic liver disease before transplantation showed significantly lower seroconversion rates (p = 0.006). Immunosuppression also significantly influenced antibody development (p < 0.001). Patients run on a mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)-based regimen were more likely not to develop antibodies compared to patients run on a non-MMF regimen (p < 0.001). All patients weaned off immunosuppression were seropositive. The seroconversion rate of 78.0% in our cohort of liver transplant recipients is promising. The identification of alcohol-induced cirrhosis as underlying disease and MMF for immunosuppression as risk factors for seronegativity may serve to identify vaccination non-responder after liver transplantation.

Background and objectives Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) refers to a complete thrombotic obstruction of the venous hepatic outflow tract due to various etiologies and constitutes a rare indication for ortothopic liver transplantation (LT). Few studies investigated long-term outcomes after LT for BCS. The aim of this study was to examine potential risk factors for late mortality and to evaluate long-term outcomes after LT for BCS. Materials and methods: 46 patients received an LT for BCS between 1989 and 2019 at the transplant center of the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin. We analyzed potential effects of disease etiology, vascular events, rejection, and immunosuppression on long-term survival after transplantation using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox logistic regression. Results: Of the 46 patients, 70% were female and 30% were male. Median age at the time of transplantation was 36 years. A total of 41 vascular events, including 26 thrombotic and 17 hemorrhagic incidents, occurred. The 1 year, the 5 year, the 10 year, and the 20 year survival rates were 87%, 83%, 76%, and 60%, respectively. By comparison, survival rates of the liver transplant cohort across all other indications at our center were slightly inferior with 85%, 75%, 65%, and 46%, respectively. In the study population, patients with myeloproliferative disorders showed worse outcomes compared to patients with other causes of BCS. Conclusion: Liver transplantation for BCS showed excellent results, even superior to those for other indications. Vascular events (i.e., thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications) did not have any prognostic value for overall mortality. Patients with myeloproliferative disorders seem to have a disadvantage in survival.

BackgroundIn an attempt to further improve liver allograft utilization and outcome in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), a variety of clinical scoring systems have been developed. Here we aimed to comparatively investigate the association of the Balance-of-Risk (BAR), Survival-Outcomes-Following-Liver-Transplant (SOFT), Preallocation-Survival-Outcomes-Following-Liver-Transplant (pSOFT), Donor-Risk-Index (DRI), and the Eurotransplant-Donor-Risk-Index (ET-DRI) scores with short- and long-term outcome following OLT.MethodsWe included 338 consecutive patients, who underwent OLT in our institution between May 2010 and November 2017. For each prognostic model, the optimal cutoff values were determined with the help of the Youden-index and their diagnostic accuracy for 90-day post OLT-mortality and major postoperative complications was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Patient- and graft survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Morbidity was assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification and the Comprehensive-Complication-Index.ResultsBAR, SOFT, and pSOFT performed well above the conventional AUROC-threshold of 0.70 with good prediction of early mortality. Only BAR showed AUC>0.70 for both mortality and major morbidity. With the cutoffs of 14, 31, and 22 respectively for BAR, SOFT, and pSOFT, subgroup analysis showed significant differences (pConclusionsOut of all scores tested, the BAR-score had the best value in predicting both 90-day morbidity and mortality after OLT showing the highest AUCs. The pSOFT and SOFT scores demonstrated an acceptable accuracy in predicting 90-day morbidity and mortality. The used BAR, SOFT, and pSOFT cutoffs allowed the identification of patients at risk in terms of five-year patient survival. The DRI and ET-DRI scores have failed to predict recipient outcomes in the present setting.

ObjectivesCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) represents the second most common primary hepatic malignancy. Despite tremendous research activities, the prognosis for the majority of patients is still poor. Only in case of early diagnosis, liver resection might potentially lead to long-term survival. However, it is still unclear which patients benefit most from extensive liver surgery, highlighting the need for new diagnostic and prognostic stratification strategies.MethodsSerum concentrations of a 4 miRNA panel (miR-122, miR-192, miR-29b and miR-155) were analyzed using semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR in serum samples from 94 patients with cholangiocarcinoma undergoing tumour resection and 40 healthy controls. Results were correlated with clinical data.ResultsSerum concentrations of miR-122, miR-192, miR-29b and miR-155 were significantly elevated in patients with CCA compared to healthy controls or patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis without malignant transformation. Although preoperative levels of these miRNAs were unsuitable as a prognostic marker of survival, a strong postoperative decline of miR-122 serum levels was significantly associated with a favorable patients' prognosis.ConclusionsAnalysis of circulating miRNAs represents a promising tool for the diagnosis of even early stage CCA. A postoperative decline in miRNA serum concentrations might be indicative for a favorable patients' outcome and helpful to identify patients with a good prognosis after extended liver surgery.

Ischemic-reperfusion (IR) injury still represents a major concern in clinical transplantation, especially in the era of extreme organ shortage and extended criteria donor organs. In the present study we aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) in a rat model of arterialized orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).Male Lewis rats were used (n = 144 / 72 OLT cases; 240-340g) as donors and recipients. Livers were flushed and stored in 4°C HTK-solution for 8h before implantation. Recipients were randomly allocated into three experimental groups: RIC 1, RIC 2, Control. In RIC 1, RIC 2 groups, RIC was applied in the recipient before hepatectomy or after reperfusion (4x5-5min IR via clamping the infrarenal aorta), respectively. Animals were sacrificed at 1, 3, 24, 168h post-reperfusion (n = 6 recipient/group/time point). Hepatocellular injury, graft circulation, serum cytokines, tissue redox-stress and adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) levels have been assessed. Additional markers were analyzed, using Western blotting and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.RIC 1 group showed significantly (p