Clinical study of pre-transplant immunotherapy effects on the prognosis of recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation / 中华器官移植杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the effect of pre-transplant immunotherapy on the prognosis of transplant recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods:From June 2018 to September 2021, retrospective analysis was conducted for clinical data of 19 HCC-liver transplant recipients receiving pre-transplant immunotherapy in affiliated Huashan Hospital of Fudan University. Pre-transplant immunotherapy regimen, adverse reactions, post-transplant acute rejection, tumor recurrence and metastasis and other complications were recorded. According to the preoperative tumor imaging and the changes of alpha-fetoprotein level, tumor change during recipient waiting period was judged by the mRECIST standard. According to whether or not there was partial tumor remission, they were divided into two groups of non-remission( n=13)and remission( n=6). Postoperative conditions of two groups were compared. Kaplan-Meier method was used for calculating the survival rate of recipients after transplantation and survival curve and Log-rank test utilized for comparing the recurrence-free and overall survival rates of recipients at 1 and 2 years post-operation. Results:A total of 19 liver transplant recipients received immunotherapy plus targeted and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) before transplant. In non-remission group, tumor was stable( n=9)and progressive( n=4); 6 cases in remission group had tumor partial remission. Two recipients in non-remission group were pathologically confirmed by liver biopsy to have acute rejection(2/19, 10.5%)and both recovered after glucocorticoid + rATG and glucocorticoid therapy. In non-remission group, 2 patients died from septic shock post-operation. Among 3 patients of tumor recurrence and metastasis post-operation, 2 cases survived with tumor and 1 died after tumor recurrence and metastasis. In remission group( n=6), none had postoperative tumor recurrence and metastasis. The recurrence-free survival rates of non-remission group recipients at 1 and 2 years post-operation were 76.9% and 76.9% and recurrence-free survival rates in remission group were 100% and 100% respectively and inter-group difference in RFS was not statistically significant( χ2=1.468, P=0.226). The overall survival rates of recipients in non-remission group at 1 and 2 years post-operation were 76.9% and 76.9% respectively. And recipients in remission group were 100% and 100% respectively and no statistically significant inter-group difference existed in OS( χ2=1.292, P=0.256). Conclusions:Without a significantly higher risk of acute rejection after transplant, immunotherapy may be an effective option for bridging treatment before liver transplantation for HCC. And it remains necessary to expand the sample size for verifications and supports.