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Neoadjuvant therapy bridging patients with hepatocellular cancer waiting for liver transplant

https://doi.org/10.21518/2079-701X-2021-20-110-116

Abstract

Introduction. Liver transplant (LT) is a widely accepted treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The role of neoadjuvant (NAT) is still under debate.

The aim of the work is to assess the effect of NAT on relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with HCC who underwent LT.

Methods and materials. 63 patients diagnosed with HCC were observed at Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology from October 2010 to January 2020. Of these, 28 patients did not receive any type of treatment before transplantation, 35 patients received various types of NAT. Two groups had similar patient and tumour characteristics at baseline. A significant number of patients with decompensated cirrhosis were observed in the non-NAT group (n = 14; 50%), while no patients with CP-C liver cirrhosis were observed in the NAT group (n = 0; 0%; p = 0.000). The average wait for a liver transplant was 10.3 months in the NAT group and 6.8 months in the NAT-free group (p = 0.561).

Results. In the bridging subgroup, the tumour progression was detected in 29% of patients, stable disease in 47% of patients, partial response was achieved in 14% of patients, complete tumour response was observed in 5%. For 5% of patients, it was not possible to estimate the effect of the therapy due to the lack of appropriate data archives. In the subgroup of downstaging therapy, the tumour progression was detected in 23% of patients, stable disease in 41% of patients, a partial response was achieved in 12% of patients, a complete tumour response was observed in 6%. The treatment allowed the Milan criteria to be fulfilled in 18% of patients.

Conclusion. There was no difference in overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) between the NAT and control groups. 

About the Authors

A. A. Pitkevich
Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University)
Russian Federation

Postgraduate Student, 

8, Bldg. 2, Trubetskaya St., Moscow, 119991



V. Yu. Kosyrev
Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology; Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University)
Russian Federation

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Lead Reasearch Associate, X-ray Surgical Diagnostics and Treatment Department, Lead Reasearch Associate, Department of Interventional Radiology, 24, Kashirskoye Shosse, Moscow, 115478;

Associate Professor of Oncology Department, 8, Bldg. 2, Trubetskaya St., Moscow, 119991

 



I. A. Dzhanyan
Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology
Russian Federation

Surgeon of Chemotherapy Department No.17, 

24, Kashirskoye Shosse, Moscow, 115478



M. S. Novruzbekov
Research Institute of Emergency Medical Care named after N.V. Sklifosovsky
Russian Federation

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Head of Liver Transplant Research Department, 

3, Bldg. 21, B. Sukharevskaya Square, Moscow, 129090



A. R. Monakhov
Federal Scientific Center for Transplantology and Artificial Organs named after Academician V.I. Shumakov
Russian Federation

Cand. Sci. (Med.), Head of Surgical Department No.2 (liver transplant), Associate Professor of Department of Transplantology and Artificial Organs,

1, Shchukinskaya St., Moscow, 123182



S. I. Zubenko
Federal Scientific Center for Transplantology and Artificial Organs named after Academician V.I. Shumakov
Russian Federation

Surgeon of Surgical Department No.2, 

1, Shchukinskaya St., Moscow, 123182



S. E. Voskanyan
Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center; Clinical Transplantology and Organ Donation, Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center
Russian Federation

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Corr. Member of RAS, Professor, Deputy Chief Physician for Surgical Care - Head, 23, Marshal Novikov St., Moscow, 123098;

Head of Department of Surgery with Courses in Oncosurgery, Endoscopy, Surgical Pathology, 46, Bldg. 8, Zhivopisnaya St.,
Moscow, 123098



V. S. Rudakov
Center for Surgery and Transplantology, Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center
Russian Federation

Cand. Sci. (Med.), Surgeon of Surgical Department for Coordination of Human Organs and (or) Tissues Procurement, 

23, Marshal Novikov St., Moscow, 123098



E. A. Moroz
Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology
Russian Federation

Cand. Sci. (Med.), Senior Research Associate, Division of Pathological Anatomy of Human Tumours, 

24, Kashirskoye Shosse, Moscow, 115478



V. V. Breder
Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology
Russian Federation

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Lead Research Associate, Chemotherapy Department No.17, 

24, Kashirskoye Shosse, Moscow, 115478



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For citations:


Pitkevich AA, Kosyrev VY, Dzhanyan IA, Novruzbekov MS, Monakhov AR, Zubenko SI, Voskanyan SE, Rudakov VS, Moroz EA, Breder VV. Neoadjuvant therapy bridging patients with hepatocellular cancer waiting for liver transplant. Meditsinskiy sovet = Medical Council. 2021;(20):110-116. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21518/2079-701X-2021-20-110-116

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ISSN 2079-701X (Print)
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