Overcoming Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Liver Cancer with Combination Therapy: Stronger Together?

Primary liver cancer, represented mainly by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), is one of the most common and deadliest tumors worldwide. While surgical resection or liver transplantation are the best option in early disease stages, these tumors often present in advanced stages and systemic treatment is required to improve survival time. The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has had a positive impact especially on the treatment of advanced cancers, thereby establishing immunotherapy as part of first-line treatment in HCC and CCA. Nevertheless, low response rates reflect on the usually cold or immunosuppressed tumor microenvironment of primary liver cancer. In this review, we aim to summarize mechanisms of resistance leading to tumor immune escape with a special focus on the composition of tumor microenvironment in both HCC and CCA, also reflecting on recent important developments in ICI combination therapy. Furthermore, we discuss how combination of ICIs with established primary liver cancer treatments (e.g. multikinase inhibitors and chemotherapy) as well as more complex combinations with state-of-the-art therapeutic concepts may reshape the tumor microenvironment, leading to higher response rates and long-lasting antitumor immunity for primary liver cancer patients.

Combined Organ Transplantation in Patients with Advanced Liver Disease.

Transplantation of the liver in combination with other organs is an increasingly performed procedure. Over the years, continuous improvement in survival could be realized through careful patient selection and refined organ preservation techniques, in spite of the challenges posed by aging recipients and donors, as well as the increased use of steatotic liver grafts. Herein, we revisit the epidemiology, allocation policies in different transplant zones, indications, and outcomes with regard to simultaneous organ transplants involving the liver, that is combined heart-liver, liver-lung, liver-kidney, and multivisceral transplantation. We address challenges surrounding combined organ transplantation such as equity, utility, and logistics of dual organ implantation, but also advantages that come along with combined transplantation, thereby focusing on molecular mechanisms underlying immunoprotection provided by the liver to the other allografts. In addition, the current standing and knowledge of machine perfusion in combined organ transplantation, mostly based on center experience, will be reviewed. Notwithstanding all the technical advances, shortage of organs, and the lack of universal eligibility criteria for certain multi-organ combinations are hurdles that need to be tackled in the future.

Fluorochrome-dependent specific changes in spectral profiles using different compensation beads or primary cells in full spectrum cytometry.

Full spectrum flow cytometry is a powerful tool for immune monitoring on a single-cell level and with currently available machines, panels of 40 or more markers per sample are possible. However, with an increased panel size, spectral unmixing issues arise, and appropriate single stain reference controls are required for accurate experimental results and to avoid unmixing errors. In contrast to conventional flow cytometry, full spectrum flow cytometry takes into account even minor differences in spectral signatures and requires the full spectrum of each fluorochrome to be identical in the reference control and the fully stained sample to ensure accurate and reliable results. In general, using the cells of interest is considered optimal, but certain markers may not be expressed at sufficient levels to generate a reliable positive control. In this case, compensation beads show some significant advantages as they bind a consistent amount of antibody independent of its specificity. In this study, we evaluated two types of manufactured compensation beads for use as reference controls for 30 of the most commonly used and commercially available fluorochromes in full spectrum cytometry and compared them to human and murine primary leukocytes. While most fluorochromes show the same spectral profile on beads and cells, we demonstrate that specific fluorochromes show a significantly different spectral profile depending on which type of compensation beads is used, and some fluorochromes should be used on cells exclusively. Here, we provide a list of important considerations when selecting optimal reference controls for full spectrum flow cytometry.

Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion Reduces Early Allograft Injury and Improves Post-transplant Outcomes in Extended Criteria Donation Liver Transplantation From Donation After Brain Death: Results From a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (HOPE ECD-DBD).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate peak serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and postoperative clinical outcomes after hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) versus static cold storage (SCS) in extended criteria donation (ECD) liver transplantation (LT) from donation after brain death (DBD). BACKGROUND: HOPE might improve outcomes in LT, particularly in high-risk settings such as ECD organs after DBD, but this hypothesis has not yet been tested in a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT). METHODS: Between September 2017 and September 2020, 46 patients undergoing ECD-DBD LT from four centers were randomly assigned to HOPE (n = 23) or SCS (n = 23). Peak-ALT levels within 7 days following LT constituted the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included incidence of postoperative complications [Clavien-Dindo classification (CD), Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI)], length of intensive care- (ICU) and hospital-stay, and incidence of early allograft dysfunction (EAD). RESULTS: Demographics were equally distributed between both groups [donor age: 72 (IQR: 59-78) years, recipient age: 62 (IQR: 55-65) years, labMELD: 15 (IQR: 9-25), 38 male and 8 female recipients]. HOPE resulted in a 47% decrease in serum peak ALT [418 (IQR: 221-828) vs 796 (IQR: 477-1195) IU/L, P = 0.030], a significant reduction in 90-day complications [44% vs 74% CD grade ≥3, P = 0.036; 32 (IQR: 12-56) vs 52 (IQR: 35-98) CCI, P = 0.021], and shorter ICU- and hospital-stays [5 (IQR: 4-8) vs 8 (IQR: 5-18) days, P = 0.045; 20 (IQR: 16-27) vs 36 (IQR: 23-62) days, P = 0.002] compared to SCS. A trend toward reduced EAD was observed for HOPE (17% vs 35%; P = 0.314). CONCLUSION: This multicenter RCT demonstrates that HOPE, in comparison to SCS, significantly reduces early allograft injury and improves post-transplant outcomes in ECD-DBD liver transplantation.

Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals Potential Predictive Biomarkers and Targets of Therapy for Urothelial Carcinoma in Situ of the Urinary Bladder.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillation after removal of the tumor is the first line of treatment for urothelial carcinoma in situ (CIS), the precursor lesion of most muscle-invasive bladder cancers. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy fails in >50% of cases, and second-line radical cystectomy is associated with overtreatment and drastic lifestyle consequences. Given the need for alternative bladder-preserving therapies, we identified genomic alterations (GAs) in urothelial CIS having the potential to predict response to targeted therapies. Laser-capture microdissection was applied to isolate 30 samples (25 CIS and 5 muscle controls) from 26 fresh-frozen cystectomy specimens. Targeted next-generation sequencing of 31 genes was performed. The panel comprised genes frequently affected in muscle-invasive bladder cancer of nonpapillary origin, focusing on potentially actionable GAs described to predict response to approved targeted therapies or drugs that are in registered clinical trials. Of CIS patients, 92% harbored at least one potentially actionable GA, which was identified in TP53/cell cycle pathway-related genes (eg, TP53 and MDM2) in 72%, genes encoding chromatin-modifying proteins (eg, ARID1A and KDM6A) in 68%, DNA damage repair genes (eg, BRCA2 and ATM) in 60%, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway genes (eg, ERBB2 and FGFR1) in 36% of the cases. These data might help guide the selection of targeted therapies to be investigated in future clinical CIS trials, and they may provide a basis for future mechanistic studies of urothelial CIS pathogenesis.

Insufficient future liver remnant and preoperative cholangitis predict perioperative outcome in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Major liver resection has evolved as the mainstay of treatment for patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA). Here we assessed the suitability of preoperative future liver remnant (FLR) measurement to predict perioperative complications, since surgical morbidity and mortality are high compared to other malignancies. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2016, 91 patients with pCCA underwent surgery in curative intent at our institution. The associations of surgical complications with FLR and clinico-pathological characteristics were assessed using logistic regression analyses. Different methods of FLR assessment, the calculated-FLR (cFLR; ratio of FLR to total liver volume), standardized FLR (sFLR; ratio of FLR to liver volume estimated by body surface area) and FLR to bodyweight ratio (FLR/BW) were tested for validity. RESULTS: Multivariable analysis identified preoperative cholangitis (Exp(B) = 0.236; p = 0.030) as the single significant predictor of postoperative mortality and cFLR (Exp(B) = 0.009, p = 0.004) as the single significant predictor of major postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3b). Based on these findings we designed a futility criterion (cFLR<40% OR preoperative cholangitis) predicting in-house mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with pCCA, the preoperative FLR<40% as well as preoperative cholangitis are two risk factors to independently predict perioperative morbidity and mortality. The cFLR should be the preferred method of liver volumetry.

Dendritic Cell and T Cell Crosstalk in Liver Fibrogenesis and Hepatocarcinogenesis: Implications for Prevention and Therapy of Liver Cancer.

Liver fibrosis is a chronic, highly prevalent disease that may progress to cirrhosis and substantially increases the risk for development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fibrotic livers are characterized by an inflammatory microenvironment that is composed of various immunologically active cells, including liver-resident populations (e.g., Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells and sinusoidal endothelium) and infiltrating leukocytes (e.g., monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes). While inflammatory injury drives both fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis, the tolerogenic microenvironment of the liver conveys immunosuppressive effects that encourage tumor growth. An insufficient crosstalk between dendritic cells (DCs), the professional antigen presenting cells, and T cells, the efficient anti-tumor effector cells, is one of the main mechanisms of HCC tumor tolerance. The meticulous analysis of patient samples and mouse models of fibrosis-HCC provided in-depth insights into molecular mechanisms of immune interactions in liver cancer. The therapeutic modulation of this multifaceted immunological response, e.g., by inhibiting immune checkpoint molecules, in situ vaccination, oncolytic viruses or combinations thereof, is a rapidly evolving field that holds the potential to improve the outcome of patients with HCC. This review aims to highlight the current understanding of DC-T cell interactions in fibrogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis and to illustrate the potentials and pitfalls of therapeutic clinical translation.

Left- versus right-sided hepatectomy with hilar en-bloc resection in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Major liver resections with portal vein resection (PVR) have emerged as the preferred treatment for patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA). Whether the resection of the liver should be preferably performed as left- (LH) or right-sided hepatectomy (RH) with or without hilar en-bloc technique is still subject of ongoing debate. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2016, 91 patients with pCCA underwent surgery in curative intent at our institution. Perioperative, pathological and survival data from all consecutive patients undergoing hilar en-bloc resection for pCCA were analyzed retrospectively. Patients undergoing hepatoduodenectomy (n = 8) or ALPPS (Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy) (n = 2) were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: Tumor grading, microvascular invasion, lymphovascular invasion, N-category, T-category, R-status and UICC-tumor staging were similar in the RH (n = 45) and LH (n = 36) groups. Perioperative morbidity and mortality were higher after RH compared to LH (mortality: 15.6% (7/45) vs. 8.3% (3/36) p = 0.003). Three-year (62% vs. 51%) and the 5-year OS (30% vs. 46%) were comparable between LH and RH groups respectively (p = 0.519, log rank). CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports the concept of surgically aggressive therapy in pCCA. LH and RH hilar en-bloc resection demonstrate a comparable long-term survival, suggesting that LH hilar en-bloc resections are feasible and safe in high-volume centers.

Machine perfusion for liver transplantation in the era of marginal organs-New kids on the block.

In the face of a critical organ shortage in the Western world, various strategies are employed to expand the donor pool for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Among them is the transplantation of organs from extended criteria donors, a valuable source of liver allografts, however, characterized by potential risks for post-OLT complications and inferior outcomes. In recent years, machine perfusion (MP) of the explanted donor liver as well as regional perfusion techniques has witnessed significant advancements. Here, we aim to discuss different modes of dynamic organ preservation in OLT. These include hypothermic and normothermic MP, hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE), controlled oxygenated rewarming as well as regional perfusion protocols. Over recent years, multiple feasibility trials have demonstrated the clinical prospects of MP. In the context of OLT using organs from extended criteria donors, MP has numerous advantages compared to conventional cold storage, some of which include the preservation and reconditioning of borderline transplantable organs and the viability assessment of high-risk donor allografts. This review aims to address the topic of liver allograft MP, highlighting particularly the current trends in clinical applications and future perspectives. Furthermore, different approaches of liver storage and reconditioning are reviewed in the context of ongoing research.

The role of ALPPS in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: Surgical resection constitutes the mainstay of curative treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Complete tumor clearance can only be achieved with extended liver resections and as such, associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) may facilitate surgical resectability. The present study aims to evaluate the technical feasibility and oncologic outcome of ALPPS in iCCA. METHODS: A set of 14 patients who underwent ALPPS in a single center between 2011 and 2017 were statistically analyzed for perioperative and oncologic outcome. RESULTS: Of all patients undergoing stage 1 of ALPPS, 12 (86%) patients were subsequently completed in stage 2 surgery. Patients who completed the ALPPS procedure showed a median overall survival (OS) of 4.2 years and a 3-year survival of 64%. Individuals without lymphatic metastases (n = 7) were all alive 1 year after surgery and if deceased, they died more than 4 years after surgery, while no patient with lymphatic metastases (n = 5) was alive 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: This is the largest single-center experience of ALPPS in iCCA currently available in the literature showing excellent technical feasibility and encouraging overall survival in these patients.

Treatment Strategies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma ⁻ a Multidisciplinary Approach.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary tumor of the liver and its mortality is third among all solid tumors, behind carcinomas of the lung and the colon. Despite continuous advancements in the management of this disease, the prognosis for HCC remains inferior compared to other tumor entities. While orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and surgical resection are the only two curative treatment options, OLT remains the best treatment strategy as it not only removes the tumor but cures the underlying liver disease. As the applicability of OLT is nowadays limited by organ shortage, major liver resections ⁻ even in patients with underlying chronic liver disease ⁻ are adopted increasingly into clinical practice. Against the background of the oftentimes present chronical liver disease, locoregional therapies have also gained increasing significance. These strategies range from radiofrequency ablation and trans-arterial chemoembolization to selective internal radiation therapy and are employed in both curative and palliative intent, individually, as a bridging to transplant or in combination with liver resection. The choice of the appropriate treatment, or combination of treatments, should consider the tumor stage, the function of the remaining liver parenchyma, the future liver remnant volume and the patient's general condition. This review aims to address the topic of multimodal treatment strategies in HCC, highlighting a multidisciplinary treatment approach to further improve outcome in these patients.

Improved outcomes after hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion in liver transplantation-Long-term follow-up of a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: While 4 randomized controlled clinical trials confirmed the early benefits of hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE), high-level evidence regarding long-term clinical outcomes is lacking. The aim of this follow-up study from the HOPE-ECD-DBD trial was to compare long-term outcomes in patients who underwent liver transplantation using extended criteria donor allografts from donation after brain death (ECD-DBD), randomized to either HOPE or static cold storage (SCS). METHODS: Between September 2017 and September 2020, recipients of liver transplantation from 4 European centers receiving extended criteria donor-donation after brain death allografts were randomly assigned to HOPE or SCS (1:1). Follow-up data were available for all patients. Analyzed endpoints included the incidence of late-onset complications (occurring later than 6 months and graded according to the Clavien-Dindo Classification and the Comprehensive Complication Index) and long-term graft survival and patient survival. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients were randomized, 23 in both arms. The median follow-up was 48 months (95% CI: 41-55). After excluding early perioperative morbidity, a significant reduction in late-onset morbidity was observed in the HOPE group (median reduction of 23 Comprehensive Complication Index-points [p=0.003] and lower incidence of major complications [Clavien-Dindo ≥3, 43% vs. 85%, p=0.009]). Primary graft loss occurred in 13 patients (HOPE n=3 vs. SCS n=10), resulting in a significantly lower overall graft survival (p=0.029) and adverse 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival probabilities in the SCS group, which did not reach the level of significance (HOPE 0.913, 0.869, 0.869 vs. SCS 0.783, 0.606, 0.519, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our exploratory findings indicate that HOPE reduces late-onset morbidity and improves long-term graft survival providing clinical evidence to further support the broad implementation of HOPE in human liver transplantation.

Mechanisms of organ fibrosis: Emerging concepts and implications for novel treatment strategies.

Fibrosis, or tissue scarring, develops as a pathological deviation from the physiological wound healing response and can occur in various organs such as the heart, lung, liver, kidney, skin, and bone marrow. Organ fibrosis significantly contributes to global morbidity and mortality. A broad spectrum of etiologies can cause fibrosis, including acute and chronic ischemia, hypertension, chronic viral infection (e.g., viral hepatitis), environmental exposure (e.g., pneumoconiosis, alcohol, nutrition, smoking) and genetic diseases (e.g., cystic fibrosis, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency). Common mechanisms across organs and disease etiologies involve a sustained injury to parenchymal cells that triggers a wound healing response, which becomes deregulated in the disease process. A transformation of resting fibroblasts into myofibroblasts with excessive extracellular matrix production constitutes the hallmark of disease, however, multiple other cell types such as immune cells, predominantly monocytes/macrophages, endothelial cells, and parenchymal cells form a complex network of profibrotic cellular crosstalk. Across organs, leading mediators include growth factors like transforming growth factor-ß and platelet-derived growth factor, cytokines like interleukin-10, interleukin-13, interleukin-17, and danger-associated molecular patterns. More recently, insights into fibrosis regression and resolution of chronic conditions have deepened our understanding of beneficial, protective effects of immune cells, soluble mediators and intracellular signaling. Further in-depth insights into the mechanisms of fibrogenesis can provide the rationale for therapeutic interventions and the development of targeted antifibrotic agents. This review gives insight into shared responses and cellular mechanisms across organs and etiologies, aiming to paint a comprehensive picture of fibrotic diseases in both experimental settings and in human pathology.

Intratumoral dendritic cells and T cells predict survival in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Clinical management of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms remains challenging. We recently introduced the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3LG) as a possible biomarker for a proinflammatory tumor microenvironment. Here, we put a spotlight on the quantitative assessment of classical dendritic cells (cDC) and T cells in the context of FLT3LG mRNA levels in a retrospective study on neuroendocrine tumor (NET) G2/G3 and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of pancreatic and gastric origin. The abundance of cDC and T cells and their relevant subpopulations were determined by immunofluorescent staining and correlated with FLT3LG mRNA levels as well as clinical outcomes. Immune cell counts attested to highly variable infiltration densities. Samples with the presence of cDC or high numbers of T cells exhibited increased FLT3LG expression. Abundance of cDC, defined as HLA-DR+CD11c+ cells with CLEC9a (cDC1) or CD1c (cDC2), as well as T cells correlated with FLT3LG mRNA levels and predicted disease-specific survival. Combining FLT3LG and T cell counts further improved this prediction. Therefore, tumor-infiltrating cDC and T cells are prognostic markers in NET G2/G3 or NEC and FLT3LG mRNA may serve as a simple-to-use biomarker for a quantitative estimate of their abundance, mandating prospective evaluation in the context of immune-targeted therapies.

Genetic polymorphisms in interleukin-1ß (rs1143634) and interleukin-8 (rs4073) are associated with survival after resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

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.

Body composition is associated with disease aetiology and prognosis in patients undergoing resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

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 < 0.001]). Inferior overall survival was noted in patients with myosteatosis (33 vs. 23 months, p = 0.020). Fifty-eight patients (34%) had metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and had a significantly higher incidence of sarcopenic (p = 0.006), visceral (p < 0.001) and subcutaneous obesity (p < 0.001). Patients with MAFLD had longer time-to-recurrence (median: 38 vs. 12 months, p = 0.025, log-rank test). Multivariable cox regression analysis confirmed only clinical, and not body, composition parameters (age > 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.

Genetic Variant of CXCR1 (rs2234671) Associates with Clinical Outcome in Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

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 polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism protocols and correlated with patients' outcomes. Results: Out of the assessed variants, only the CXCR1 (also: interleukin-8-receptor alpha - IL-8RA) +860C>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 CSS 31 months, log-rank p = 0.007; and median OS 6 months, log-rank p = 0.002), compared to the GG genotype (92/111 (82.9%), median DFS 55 months, median CSS 63 months, and median OS 33 months). In the multivariate analysis, +860C>G remained an independent prognostic factor for DFS (adjusted p = 0.008), CSS (adjusted p = 0.001), and OS (adjusted p = 0.001). Conclusion: Genetic variant of CXCR1 +860C>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.

The prognostic impact of preoperative body composition in perihilar and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

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.

Prognostic and Predictive Molecular Markers in Cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer and subsumes a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors arising from the intra- or extrahepatic biliary tract epithelium. A rising mortality from CCA has been reported worldwide during the last decade, despite significant improvement of surgical and palliative treatment. Over 50% of CCAs originate from proximal extrahepatic bile ducts and constitute the most common CCA entity in the Western world. Clinicopathological characteristics such as lymph node status and poor differentiation remain the best-studied, but imperfect prognostic factors. The identification of prognostic molecular markers as an adjunct to traditional staging systems may not only facilitate the selection of patients who would benefit the most from surgical, adjuvant or palliative treatment strategies, but may also be helpful in defining the aggressiveness of the disease and identifying patients at high-risk for tumor recurrence. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of currently known molecular prognostic and predictive markers and their role in CCA.