Advancements in the Management of Synchronous Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Comprehensive Review of Surgical, Systemic, and Local Treatment Modalities.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review addresses the current landscape of colorectal cancer (CRC) with a focus on liver metastases, the third most common cancer globally. It explores recent findings in treatment strategies, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between surgery, systemic chemotherapy, and local therapies for synchronous colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs). RECENT FINDINGS: Highlighting the role of advanced imaging, the review underscores the significance of contrast-enhanced MRI in surgical planning for CRLMs. Surgical resection remains a primary choice for resectable cases, with considerations for oncologic scoring systems and tumor biology. Perioperative systemic chemotherapy plays a pivotal role, especially in conversion therapy for initially unresectable CRLMs. The review also explores various local therapies, including radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, stereotactic body radiotherapy, hepatic arterial infusional chemotherapy, selective internal radiation therapy, and transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable cases. A comprehensive approach, integrating surgery, systemic chemotherapy, and local therapies, is crucial for managing synchronous CRLMs. Surgical resection and perioperative chemotherapy are key players, guided by considerations of tumor biology and scoring systems. For unresectable cases, local therapies offer viable alternatives, emphasizing the need for tailored treatments. Multidisciplinary collaboration among medical oncologists, surgeons, and radiologists is essential. Ongoing research will refine treatment approaches, while emerging technologies hold promise for further advancements in managing colorectal liver metastases.

Liver Stiffness on Magnetic Resonance Elastography and the MEFIB Index and Liver-Related Outcomes in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participants.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is an accurate biomarker of liver fibrosis; however, limited data characterize its association with clinical outcomes. We conducted an individual participant data pooled meta-analysis on patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to evaluate the association between liver stiffness on MRE and liver-related outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search identified 6 cohorts of adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease who underwent a baseline MRE and were followed for hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. Cox and logistic regression were used to assess the association between liver stiffness on MRE and liver-related outcomes, including a composite primary outcome defined as varices needing treatment, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. RESULTS: This individual participant data pooled meta-analysis included 2018 patients (53% women) with a mean (± standard deviation) age of 57.8 (±14) years and MRE at baseline of 4.15 (±2.19) kPa, respectively. Among 1707 patients with available longitudinal data with a median (interquartile range) of 3 (4.2) years of follow-up, the hazard ratio for the primary outcome for MRE of 5 to 8 kPa was 11.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.03-17.1, P < .001) and for ≥ 8 kPa was 15.9 (95% CI: 9.32-27.2, P < .001), compared with those with MRE <5 kPa. The MEFIB index (defined as positive when MRE ≥3.3 kPa and Fibrosis-4 ≥1.6) had a robust association with the primary outcome with a hazard ratio of 20.6 (95% CI: 10.4-40.8, P < .001) and a negative MEFIB had a high negative predictive value for the primary outcome, 99.1% at 5 years. The 3-year risk of incident hepatocellular carcinoma was 0.35% for MRE <5 kPa, 5.25% for 5 to 8 kPa, and 5.66% for MRE ≥8 kPa, respectively. CONCLUSION: Liver stiffness assessed by MRE is associated with liver-related events, and the combination of MRE and Fibrosis-4 has excellent negative predictive value for hepatic decompensation. These data have important implications for clinical practice.

Risk-Adapted Strategy Combining Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Prostate-Specific Antigen Density to Individualize Biopsy Decision in Patients With PI-RADS 3 ``Gray Zone'' Lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Recent guidelines suggest that biopsy may be omitted in some groups of patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions on mpMRI. In this study, we aimed to evaluate biopsy strategies involving prostate-specific antigen density (PSAd) to avoid unnecessary biopsy versus the risk of missing clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of 616 consecutive patients who underwent PSAd and mpMRI before prostate biopsy between January 2017 and January 2022 at a single center were retrospectively assessed. All of these patients underwent combined cognitive or fusion targeted biopsy of suspicious lesions and transrectal ultrasonography guided systematic biopsy. PI-RADS 3 based strategies with PSAd and mpMRI combination were created. For each strategy, avoided unnecessary biopsy, reduced ISUP Grade 1, and missed ISUP Grade ≥ 2 ratios were determined. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to statistically compare the net benefit of each strategy. RESULTS: DCA revealed that patients who had PI-RADS 3 lesions with PSAd ≥ 0.2, and/or patients who had PI-RADS 4 and 5 lesions had the most benefit, under the threshold probability level between 10% and 50%, which avoided 48.2% unnecessary prostate biopsies and reduced 51% of ISUP grade 1 cases, while missed 17.5% of ISUP grade ≥ 2 cases. (22.1% for ISUP grade 2 and 8.8% for ISUP grade ≥ 3). Strategy 1 (PI-RADS 4-5 and/or PSAd ≥ 0.2), 3 (PI-RADS 4-5 and/or PI-RADS 3 if PSAd ≥ 0.15), and 7 (PI-RADS 4-5 and/or PI-RADS 3 if PSAd ≥ 0.15 and/or PI-RADS 2 if PSAd ≥ 0.2) were the next three best strategies. CONCLUSION: mpMRI combined with PSAd strategies reduced biopsy attempts in PI-RADS 3 lesions. Using these strategies, the advantage of avoiding biopsy and the risk of missing the diagnosis of csPCa can be discussed with the patient, and the biopsy decision can be made afterwards.

Natural history of clinical outcomes and hepatic decompensation in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The natural progression of hepatic decompensation in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is not well-characterised. We aimed to describe it by conducting a retrospective analysis. METHODS: This longitudinal, retrospective analysis of well-characterised MASLD cohorts followed for hepatic decompensation and death. The sequence of liver-related events was evaluated, and the median time between hepatic decompensation episodes and death versus. transplantation was measured. RESULTS: Of the 2016 patients identified, 220 (11%) developed at least one episode of hepatic decompensation during a median follow-up of 3.2 years. Ascites was the most common first liver-related event [153 (69.5%)], followed by hepatic encephalopathy (HE) [55 (25%)] and variceal haemorrhage (VH) [30 (13.6%)]. Eighteen out of the 220 (8.1%) patients had more than one liver-related event as their first hepatic decompensation. Among the patients who had the first episode, 87 (39.5%) had a second episode [44 (50.5%) HE, 31 (35.6%) ascites, and 12 (13.7%) VH]. Eighteen out of 220 (8.1%) had a third episode [10 (55.5%) HE, 6 (33.3%) VH, and 2 (11.1%) ascites]. Seventy-three out of 220 (33.1%) died, and 31 (14%) received liver transplantation. The median time from the first episode to the second was 0.7 years and 1.3 years from the second episode to the third. The median survival time from the first episode to death or transplantation was 2.0 years. CONCLUSION: The most common first liver-related event in MASLD patients is ascites. The median survival from the first hepatic decompensation to either death or transplantation is 2 years.

Low liver fat in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related significant fibrosis and cirrhosis is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, decompensation and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Progression to cirrhosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with a decrease in liver fat. However, the prognostic significance of liver fat content in NASH-related significant fibrosis and cirrhosis is unclear. AIM: To investigate the risk of decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mortality stratified by liver fat content in NASH-related significant fibrosis and cirrhosis. METHODS: In this meta-analysis of individual participant data, 456 patients with both magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and MRI-derived protein density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) were enrolled, and 296 patients with longitudinal follow-up were analysed. MRE combined with fibrosis-4 (MEFIB-index), and MRI-PDFF were used to measure liver fibrosis and fat, respectively. MEFIB-negative, MEFIB-positive+ MRI-PDFF ≥5% and MEFIB-positive+ MRI-PDFF <5% were defined as no significant liver fibrosis, NASH with significant fibrosis and higher liver fat content, and NASH with significant fibrosis and low liver fat content groups, respectively. The primary outcome was hepatic decompensation, HCC and death. RESULTS: The rates of decompensation, HCC and mortality were highest in the NASH with significant fibrosis and low liver fat group (33%, 17% and 17%, respectively), followed by the NASH with significant fibrosis and higher liver fat group (18%, 13% and 13% respectively), and lowest in the no significant fibrosis (MEFIB-negative) group (0%, 1% and 2% respectively). In multivariable-adjusted analysis, low liver fat content was strongly associated (HR = 42.2 [95% CI: 7.5-235.5, p < 0.0001]) with HCC, decompensation and death. Sensitivity analyses for patients with cirrhosis (MRE ≥5 kPa) determined consistent findings. CONCLUSIONS: Low liver fat content in patients with burnt-out NASH-related significant fibrosis and cirrhosis is associated with an increase in hepatic decompensation, HCC and mortality.

MEFIB-Index and MAST-Score in the assessment of hepatic decompensation in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatosis liver disease-Individual participant data meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the longitudinal association between MEFIB-Index (MRE combined with FIB-4) versus MAST-Score (MRI-aspartate aminotransferase) and hepatic decompensation. AIM: To examine the longitudinal association between MEFIB-Index versus MAST-Score in predicting hepatic decompensation in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). METHODS: This was a longitudinal, retrospective analysis of subjects from United States, Japan, and Turkey who underwent a baseline MRE and MRI-PDFF and were followed for hepatic decompensation. Cox-proportional hazard analyses were used to assess the association between MEFIB-Index versus MAST-Score with a composite primary outcome (hepatic decompensation) defined as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and varices needing treatment. RESULTS: This meta-analysis of individual participants (IPDMA) included 454 patients (58% women) with a mean (±SD) age of 56.0 (±13.5) years. The MEFIB-Index (MRE ≥3.3 kPa + FIB 4 ≥1.6) and MAST-Score (>0.242) were positive for 34% and 9% of the sample, respectively. At baseline, 23 patients met criteria for hepatic decompensation. Among 297 patients with available longitudinal data with a median (IQR) of 4.2 (5.0) years of follow-up, 25 incident cases met criteria for hepatic decompensation. A positive MEFIB-Index [HR = 49.22 (95% CI: 6.23-388.64, p < 0.001)] and a positive MAST-Score [HR = 3.86 (95% CI: 1.46-10.17, p < 0.001)] were statistically significant predictors of the incident hepatic decompensation. MEFIB-Index (c-statistic: 0.89, standard error (SE) = 0.02) was statistically superior to the MAST-Score (c-statistic: 0.81, SE = 0.03) (p < 0.0001) in predicting hepatic decompensation. CONCLUSION: A combination of MRI-based biomarker and blood tests, MEFIB-Index and MAST-Score can predict the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with MASLD.

Type 2 diabetes, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: an individual participant-level data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Data are scarce regarding the development of hepatic decompensation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with and without type 2 diabetes. We aimed to assess the risk of hepatic decompensation in people with NAFLD with and without type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We did a meta-analysis of individual participant-level data from six cohorts in the USA, Japan, and Turkey. Included participants had magnetic resonance elastography between Feb 27, 2007, and June 4, 2021. Eligible studies included those with liver fibrosis characterisation by magnetic resonance elastography, longitudinal assessment for hepatic decompensation and death, and included adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with NAFLD, for whom data were available regarding the presence of type 2 diabetes at baseline. The primary outcome was hepatic decompensation, defined as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or variceal bleeding. The secondary outcome was the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. We used competing risk regression using the Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard ratio (sHR) to compare the likelihood of hepatic decompensation in participants with and without type 2 diabetes. Death without hepatic decompensation was a competing event. FINDINGS: Data for 2016 participants (736 with type 2 diabetes; 1280 without type 2 diabetes) from six cohorts were included in this analysis. 1074 (53%) of 2016 participants were female with a mean age of 57·8 years (SD 14·2) years and BMI of 31·3 kg/m2 (SD 7·4). Among 1737 participants (602 with type 2 diabetes and 1135 without type 2 diabetes) with available longitudinal data, 105 participants developed hepatic decompensation over a median follow-up time of 2·8 years (IQR 1·4-5·5). Participants with type 2 diabetes had a significantly higher risk of hepatic decompensation at 1 year (3·37% [95% CI 2·10-5·11] vs 1·07% [0·57-1·86]), 3 years (7·49% [5·36-10·08] vs 2·92% [1·92-4·25]), and 5 years (13·85% [10·43-17·75] vs 3·95% [2·67-5·60]) than participants without type 2 diabetes (p<0·0001). After adjustment for multiple confounders (age, BMI, and race), type 2 diabetes (sHR 2·15 [95% CI 1·39-3·34]; p=0·0006) and glycated haemoglobin (1·31 [95% CI 1·10-1·55]; p=0·0019) were independent predictors of hepatic decompensation. The association between type 2 diabetes and hepatic decompensation remained consistent after adjustment for baseline liver stiffness determined by magnetic resonance elastography. Over a median follow-up of 2·9 years (IQR 1·4-5·7), 22 of 1802 participants analysed (18 of 639 with type 2 diabetes and four of 1163 without type 2 diabetes) developed incident hepatocellular carcinoma. The risk of incident hepatocellular carcinoma was higher in those with type 2 diabetes at 1 year (1·34% [95% CI 0·64-2·54] vs 0·09% [0·01-0·50], 3 years (2·44% [1·36-4·05] vs 0·21% [0·04-0·73]), and 5 years (3·68% [2·18-5·77] vs 0·44% [0·11-1·33]) than in those without type 2 diabetes (p<0·0001). Type 2 diabetes was an independent predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma development (sHR 5·34 [1·67-17·09]; p=0·0048). INTERPRETATION: Among people with NAFLD, the presence of type 2 diabetes is associated with a significantly higher risk of hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma. FUNDING: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Living liver donor hilar anatomical variations and impact of variant anatomy on transplant outcomes.

Donor anatomy is an essential part of donor selection and operative planning in living donor liver transplantation. In this study, variations of hilar structures, and the effects of variant anatomy on donor and recipient outcomes were evaluated. Living donor liver transplantations in a single center between January 2013 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. In total, 203 liver transplantations were analyzed. Type 1 arterial anatomy, type 1 portal vein anatomy and type 1 bile duct anatomy were observed in 144 (70.9%), 173 (85.2%), and 129 (63.5%) donors, respectively. Variant biliary anatomy was observed more frequent in donors with variant portal vein branching than in those with type 1 portal anatomy (60.0% vs 32.3%, P = .004). The overall survival rates calculated for each hilar structure were similar between recipients receiving grafts with type 1 anatomy and those receiving grafts with variant anatomy. When donors with variant anatomy and donors with type 1 anatomy were compared in terms of hilar structure, no significant difference was observed in the frequency of complications and the frequency of serious complications. Biliary variations are more common in individuals with variant portal vein anatomy. Donor anatomic variations are not risk factors for inferior results of recipient survival or donor morbidity.