Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34794390›Full record

ArticleClinical proteomics2021

Combined proteomic/transcriptomic signature of recurrence post-liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma beyond Milan.

Mamatha Bhat, Sergi Clotet-Freixas, Cristina Baciu, Elisa Pasini, Ahmed Hammad, Tommy Ivanics, Shelby Reid, Amirhossein Azhie, Marc Angeli, Anand Ghanekar and 3 more

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical proteomics, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
2.0field-weighted citation impact, top 13% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 18 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Review
  2. The Role of Galectin-3 in Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis.Journal of inflammation research · 2026
    Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Review
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Mamatha Bhat *Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. Mamatha.Bhat@uhn.ca.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1960-8449
Sergi Clotet-Freixas *Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Cristina Baciu *Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Elisa PasiniAjmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Ahmed HammadAjmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Tommy IvanicsDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Shelby ReidInstitute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Amirhossein AzhieAjmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Marc AngeliAjmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Anand GhanekarAjmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Sandra FischerDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Gonzalo Sapisochin *Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Ana Konvalinka *Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. Ana.Konvalinka@uhn.ca.
University Health Network · CAUniversity of Toronto · CA

Funding

Canada Foundation for Innovation 37205CIHR CIHR148204Kidney Foundation of Canada Predictive Biomarker KFOC160010Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training KPPDF637713Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training KRES160004Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training KRES160005Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation TGTWF 1617-464Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation TGTWF MKFTR 1718-1268
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

aimsLiver transplantation (LT) can be offered to patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond Milan criteria. However, there are currently limited molecular markers on HCC explant histology to predict recurrence, which arises in up to 20% of LT recipients. The goal of our study was to derive a combined proteomic/transcriptomic signature on HCC explant predictive of recurrence post-transplant using unbiased, high-throughput approaches.

methodsPatients who received a LT for HCC beyond Milan criteria in the context of hepatitis B cirrhosis were identified. Tumor explants from patients with post-transplant HCC recurrence (N = 7) versus those without recurrence (N = 4) were analyzed by mass spectrometry and gene expression array. Univariate analysis was used to generate a combined proteomic/transcriptomic signature linked to recurrence. Significantly predictive genes and proteins were verified and internally validated by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry.

resultsSeventy-nine proteins and 636 genes were significantly differentially expressed in HCC tumors with subsequent recurrence (p < 0.05). Univariate survival analysis identified Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family Member A1 (ALDH1A1) gene (HR = 0.084, 95%CI 0.01-0.68, p = 0.0152), ALDH1A1 protein (HR = 0.039, 95%CI 0.16-0.91, p = 0.03), Galectin 3 Binding Protein (LGALS3BP) gene (HR = 7.14, 95%CI 1.20-432.96, p = 0.03), LGALS3BP protein (HR = 2.6, 95%CI 1.1-6.1, p = 0.036), Galectin 3 (LGALS3) gene (HR = 2.89, 95%CI 1.01-8.3, p = 0.049) and LGALS3 protein (HR = 2.6, 95%CI 1.2-5.5, p = 0.015) as key dysregulated analytes in recurrent HCC. In concordance with our proteome findings, HCC recurrence was linked to decreased ALDH1A1 and increased LGALS3 protein expression by Western Blot. LGALS3BP protein expression was validated in 29 independent HCC samples.

conclusionsSignificantly increased LGALS3 and LGALS3BP gene and protein expression on explant were associated with post-transplant recurrence, whereas increased ALDH1A1 was associated with absence of recurrence in patients transplanted for HCC beyond Milan criteria. This combined proteomic/transcriptomic signature could help in predicting HCC recurrence risk and guide post-transplant surveillance.

Indexed as

Combined signatureHepatocellular carcinomaLiver transplantationMilan criteriaPredictors of recurrenceProteomeTranscriptomeTumor explant

Identifiers

PMID34794390
PMCPMC8600773
OpenAlexW3213048077

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.