Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39749089›Full record

ArticleCureus2024

Predicting Microvascular Invasion in Liver Transplant Recipients for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Usman I Aujla, Imran Ali Syed, Kashif Rafi, Ammara Naveed, Ahmad K Malik, Muhammad Yasir Khan, Ihsan Ul Haq, Sohail Rashid, Osama T Butt, Faisal Dar

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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  3. Article
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

10 authors.

Usman I AujlaGastroenterology and Hepatology, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center, Lahore, PAK.
Imran Ali SyedGastroenterology and Hepatology, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center, Lahore, PAK.
Kashif RafiGastroenterology, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center, Lahore, PAK.
Ammara NaveedHepatology, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center, Lahore, PAK.
Ahmad K MalikAdult Gastroenterology, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center, Lahore, PAK.
Muhammad Yasir KhanHepatopancreatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgery, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center, Lahore, PAK.
Ihsan Ul HaqHepatopancreatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgery, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center, Lahore, PAK.
Sohail RashidHepatopancreatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgery, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center, Lahore, PAK.
Osama T ButtGastroenterology and Hepatology, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center, Lahore, PAK.
Faisal DarHepatopancreatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgery, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center, Lahore, PAK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAmong primary liver tumors, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered the most common hepatic tumor. Liver transplantation is one of the curative treatment options for HCC. However, the risk of HCC recurrence after liver transplantation varies and is influenced by various factors. Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a major factor associated with HCC recurrence after a liver transplant (LT). The study assessed the pre-transplant factors to predict MVI on explant liver specimens.

methodsThe retrospective study included adult LT recipients with HCC on explant specimens to identify pre-transplant predictors of MVI. Univariate analyses, including Mann-Whitney U tests and chi-square tests, were conducted to assess associations between variables and MVI. Logistic regression was employed for multivariate analysis, including variables significant in univariate analysis. Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to examine correlations between continuous variables. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to measure inter-rater reliability.

resultsOut of 523 LT recipients, 136 (26%) were diagnosed with HCC based on pre-transplant imaging and histopathological analysis of the explanted liver. Descriptive data showed an average age of 54.06 ± 8.16 years (range: 15-70), with a majority being male (76.47%). Hepatitis C (HCV) was the leading etiology (72.8%). Most patients had moderately differentiated grade-II tumors (75.7%) and met the Milan criteria (74.3%). Mean pre-operative alpha-fetoprotein (pre-op AFP) levels were 104.42 ± 308.38 ng/ml. 74.3% were within the Milan criteria. MVI was present in 28.7%. The frequency of MVI among HCCs within vs. outside Milan criteria was not statistically significant (26.73% vs. 34.28% (p = 0.395)). Univariate analysis revealed that pre-op AFP levels (p = 0.001), Child-Turcotte Pugh class (p=0.05), and body mass index (p=0.02) were significantly associated with MVI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that pre-op AFP was the only independent predictor of MVI (OR: 1.006, 95% CI: 1.003-1.008, p < 0.001).

conclusionThis study not only reinforces the clinical significance of pre-op AFP levels as a simple pre-transplant predictor of MVI in patients with HCC but also advocates for the safety of liver transplantation beyond conventional Milan criteria, promoting extended LT protocols.

Indexed as

alpha-fetoproteinhepatocellular carcinoma (hcc)liver transplantmicrovascular invasionmilan criteria

Identifiers

PMID39749089
PMCPMC11694041

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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.