Liver Imaging-Reporting and Data System treatment response algorithm predicts postsurgical recurrence in locoregional therapy-treated hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Objectives: In HCC, locoregional therapy (LRT) is performed as a bridging or downstaging treatment before curative surgery. The impact of the LI-RADS Treatment Response (LR-TR) algorithm on surgical outcomes remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate radiologic and clinical factors predicting recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after curative surgery for LRT-treated HCC.

Materials and methods: Consecutive HCC patients who underwent liver transplantation or curative resection after LRT from 2010 to 2016 and had baseline and follow-up post-LRT CT/MRI up to the point of surgery were included. The LR-TR category at the time of surgery and other features were assessed using Cox proportional hazard models. RFS was estimated and compared using the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests.

Results: We evaluated 73 patients with 115 lesions. The LR-TR viable category at the time of surgery (hazard ratio [HR], 3.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04, 14.16), preoperative AFP > 200 ng/mL (HR, 3.63; 95% CI: 1.63, 8.10), LRT sessions > 3 (HR, 4.99; 95% CI: 1.73, 14.38), and resection (HR, 3.35; 95% CI: 1.39, 8.09) independently predicted recurrence. The risk score categorized the patients into poor, intermediate, and favorable-risk groups with 1-year RFS rates of 35.0%, 78.3%, and 97.0%, respectively (p < 0.001). Outside Milan at the time of surgery (HR, 5.79; 95% CI: 1.94, 17.07) and recurrence within the first postoperative year (HR, 17.66; 95% CI: 6.42, 48.56) predicted death.

Conclusion: In LRT-treated HCC, non-LR-TR viable disease achieved within fewer LRT sessions and removed by liver transplantation recurred less.

Key points: • The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System treatment response (LR-TR) viable disease (hazard ratio [HR], 3.84; p = 0.043), preoperative serum AFP level > 200 ng/mL (HR, 3.63; p = 0.002), more than three locoregional treatment (LRT) sessions (HR, 4.99; p = 0.003), and resection compared to liver transplantation (HR, 3.35; p = 0.001) were the independent predictors for postsurgical recurrence in LRT-treated HCCs. • A scoring system combining LR-TR categories and key clinical factors stratifies the patients into poor, intermediate, and favorable recurrence risk groups, with 1-year RFS rates of 35.0%, 78.3%, and 97.0%, respectively (p < 0.001). • Outside Milan at the time of surgery (HR, 5.79; p = 0.001) and recurrence within the first postoperative year (HR, 17.66; p < 0.001) were associated with poor overall survival.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver transplantation; Magnetic resonance imaging; Response assessment.