Keywords
1. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prognosis
2. ALBI-APRI Score
3. Liver Resection Outcome
4. Milan Criteria HCC
5. Preoperative Liver Function Assessment
Abstract
A 2019 study has recently highlighted the substantial implications of utilizing a composite scoring system—merging albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade with aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet count ratio index (APRI)—to precisely predict the prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) adhering to the Milan criteria post-liver resection. This comprehensive evaluation offers healthcare providers a more effective tool in addressing HCC, ensuring better patient management and personalized follow-up strategies.
Introduction
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common and deadly forms of cancer globally, particularly due to its late diagnosis and poor prognosis. Liver resection is considered a potential curative treatment for patients within the Milan criteria, a set of guidelines underlining the suitability for liver transplantation in HCC patients. As the quest for reliable prognostic indicators continues, a cutting-edge study presented in the “Bioscience Trends” journal sheds light on the prognostic significance of the preoperative albumin-bilirubin grade paired with the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet count ratio index (ALBI-APRI score) in predicting HCC outcomes following liver resection.
The Study
The study, DOI: 10.5582/bst.2019.01088, published in May 2019, assessed 239 patients who underwent liver resection for HCC within the Milan criteria. The primary objective was to ascertain whether a combined ALBI-APRI score could act as a prognostic marker for postoperative recurrence and mortality. The patients were monitored for recurrence and mortality, with multivariate analyses employed to determine the significance of various predictors.
Results and Analysis
Out of the 239 patients, there were 132 cases of recurrence and 52 deaths during the study period. The study’s multivariate analysis divulged three significant predictive factors for recurrence: the ALBI-APRI score, microvascular invasion (MVI), and the presence of multiple tumors. With regards to postoperative mortality, the blood transfusion requirement, high preoperative alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, ALBI-APRI score, and MVI presence were correlated.
Discussion
The study’s findings suggest that the ALBI-APRI score is a robust prognostic tool. Patients with a high APRI score were assigned a score of 1, while those with a low score were assigned 0. The ALBI-APRI score amalgamated these figures with the ALBI grade, providing a comprehensive overview of a patient’s status.
The predictive accuracy of the ALBI-APRI score was superior compared to either ALBI or APRI used individually. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the ALBI-APRI score was significantly higher, underscoring its predictive power for both recurrence and mortality post-liver resection.
Implications and Future Directions
The incorporation of the ALBI-APRI score into clinical practice promises to revolutionize the preoperative assessment of HCC patients. Given its predictive precision, it offers an additional layer of insight, enabling medical professionals to strategize personalized treatment plans and prepare for potential complications. While the study advocates for the utility of the ALBI-APRI score, it also calls for further large-scale research to corroborate these findings.
Conclusion
This pivotal study propels the understanding of HCC prognosis following liver resection, offering significant promise for enhancing patient outcomes. The ALBI-APRI score could potentially become an indispensable tool in the preoperative evaluation for HCC within Milan criteria, bringing us closer to optimized, patient-specific healthcare.
References
1. Luo, H., Li, C., & Chen, L. (2019). Preoperative albumin-bilirubin grade combined with aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet count ratio index predict outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan criteria after liver resection. Bioscience Trends, 13(2), 176–181. https://doi.org/10.5582/bst.2019.01088
2. Liver Transplantation: Milan Criteria and Beyond. Hepatology, 48(2), 346–357. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.22414
3. Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) Grade Updates in the Assessment of Chronic Liver Disease. Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology, 3(4), 269–273. https://doi.org/10.14218/JCTH.2015.00036
4. Prognostic Role of the AST/Platelet Ratio Index in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Meta-analysis. Gastroenterology Reports, 6(1), 57–61. https://doi.org/10.1093/gastro/gox025
5. Predictors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence Post Transplantation: A Meta-Analysis on the Role of Serum Biomarkers. World J Gastroenterol, 20(40), 14858–14867. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i40.14858
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