Predictive value of platelet-albumin-bilirubin score for tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华器官移植杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the predictive value of platelet-albumin-bilirubin(PALBI)score for tumor recurrence after liver transplantation(LT)in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods:Clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 102 HCC patients undergoing LT from January 2010 to December 2020.The predictive value of PALBI score for tumor recurrence after LT and the risk factors for tumor recurrence after LT were examined by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve, Kaplan-Meier method and univariate/multivariate Cox regression.Results:The optimal cutoff value of preoperative PALBI score for predicting recurrence was -3.82 with ROC curve, Youden's index 0.317 and area under the ROC curve 0.679.Survival analysis was performed using a PALBI cutoff value of -3.82 as boundary group.The results showed that significant differences existed in 1/3/5-year tumor recurrence rates(17.9% vs.50.0%, 26.9% vs.62.5%, 29.5% vs.62.5%)after low PALBI and high PALBI( P<0.05 for all). Univariate analysis indicated that preoperative tumor maximal diameter, tumor number, Milan criteria, alpha fetoprotein(AFP)level, microvascular invasion, portal venous tumor thrombus, and PALBI score were significantly associated with postoperative tumor recurrence( P<0.05 for all). And multivariate analysis revealed that Milan criteria, AFP level and PALBI score were independent risk factors for postoperative tumor recurrence( P<0.05). Conclusions:Preoperative PALBI score offers some predictive value for postoperative tumor recurrence in HCC patients post-LT.When preoperative PALBI score ≥-3.82 in HCC patients, postoperative tumor recurrence rate is relatively high.