Detection of circulating tumour cells enables early recurrence prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing liver transplantation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS:

Liver transplantation (LTx) is one of the most effective treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, tumour recurrence after LTx often leads to poor outcomes. This study investigated the value of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) as a predictor of recurrence following LTx in patients with HCC.

METHODS:

This analysis included 193 patients with HCC who underwent LTx at our institute and accepted pre- and post-operative CTC detection; 38 were selected for serial CTC monitoring. The predictive value of CTCs for tumour recurrence in patients with HCC following LTx was evaluated. Single-cell whole genome sequencing was used to characterize CTCs.

RESULTS:

Overall, the CTC burden decreased after LTx (P < .05). Post-operative CTC count ≥ 1 per 5 mL peripheral blood was identified as a potential biomarker for predicting tumour recurrence after LTx, especially in patients with no detectable CTCs prior to LTx and negative tumour serological biomarkers. The predictive value of post-operative CTC count ≥ 1 per 5 mL blood was retained in patients who did not meet the Milan criteria, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) criteria, or Fudan criteria (all P < .05). Furthermore, post-operative serial CTC detection may be useful in post-surgical surveillance for HCC recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS:

CTCs may be a useful biomarker to evaluate recurrence risk following LTx in patients with HCC. Evaluation based on CTC detection may enhance the post-transplant management of HCC, and improve the therapeutic efficacy of LTx.

• Authors: Peng-Xiang Wang, Yang Xu, Yun-Fan Sun, Jian-Wen Cheng, Kai-Qian Zhou, Sui-Yi Wu, Bo Hu, Ze-Fan Zhang, Wei Guo, Ya Cao, Xiao-Wu Huang, Jian Zhou, Jia Fan, Xin-Rong Yang
• Journal: Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver (Liver Int) Vol. 41 Issue 3 Pg. 562-573 (03 2021) ISSN: 1478-3231 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 33205544 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Topics

• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (surgery)
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (surgery)
• Liver Transplantation
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
• Neoplastic Cells, Circulating
• San Francisco