Clinical Edge Journal Scan

Key clinical point: Increased fetal crown-chin length (CCL)/crown-rump length (CRL) ratio at 11-14 weeks’ gestation was significantly associated with an increased risk for skeletal dysplasia and could help screen the same in the first trimester.

Major finding: Of 16 fetuses with skeletal dysplasia, 62.5% had a CCL/CRL ratio above the 95th percentile, which when used as a cutoff yielded a detection rate, specificity, false-positive rate, and the positive likelihood ratio of 62.5%, 72.6%, 5.0%, and 17.5%, respectively.

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective study that compared CCL/CRL ratios on a first-trimester ultrasound examination in 418 normal fetuses with 154 fetuses affected by skeletal dysplasia.

Disclosures: No source of funding was declared. None of the other authors declared any conflict of interests.

Source: Li Y et al. J Ultrasound Med. 2022 Jan 3. doi: 10.1002/jum.15936.

Key clinical point: Increased fetal crown-chin length (CCL)/crown-rump length (CRL) ratio at 11-14 weeks’ gestation was significantly associated with an increased risk for skeletal dysplasia and could help screen the same in the first trimester.

Major finding: Of 16 fetuses with skeletal dysplasia, 62.5% had a CCL/CRL ratio above the 95th percentile, which when used as a cutoff yielded a detection rate, specificity, false-positive rate, and the positive likelihood ratio of 62.5%, 72.6%, 5.0%, and 17.5%, respectively.

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective study that compared CCL/CRL ratios on a first-trimester ultrasound examination in 418 normal fetuses with 154 fetuses affected by skeletal dysplasia.

Disclosures: No source of funding was declared. None of the other authors declared any conflict of interests.

Source: Li Y et al. J Ultrasound Med. 2022 Jan 3. doi: 10.1002/jum.15936.

Key clinical point: Increased fetal crown-chin length (CCL)/crown-rump length (CRL) ratio at 11-14 weeks’ gestation was significantly associated with an increased risk for skeletal dysplasia and could help screen the same in the first trimester.

Major finding: Of 16 fetuses with skeletal dysplasia, 62.5% had a CCL/CRL ratio above the 95th percentile, which when used as a cutoff yielded a detection rate, specificity, false-positive rate, and the positive likelihood ratio of 62.5%, 72.6%, 5.0%, and 17.5%, respectively.

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective study that compared CCL/CRL ratios on a first-trimester ultrasound examination in 418 normal fetuses with 154 fetuses affected by skeletal dysplasia.

Disclosures: No source of funding was declared. None of the other authors declared any conflict of interests.

Source: Li Y et al. J Ultrasound Med. 2022 Jan 3. doi: 10.1002/jum.15936.

Key clinical point: Fetal abdominal obesity (FAO) was already present at 20-24 gestational weeks (GW) in the high-risk older and/or obese women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with FAO at 20-24 GW in women with GDM being associated with higher odds of FAO at GDM diagnosis.

Major finding: Compared with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), older and/or obese women (P < .05) but not young and nonobese women with GDM had a significantly higher fetal abdominal overgrowth ratio at gestational weeks 20-24. Compared with NGT women without FAO at 20-24 GW, the odds ratio for exhibiting FAO at GDM diagnosis was 10.15 (95% CI, 5.27-19.57).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective review of 6,996 singleton pregnant women who had fetal biometry data measured at 20-24 GW and delivered at the respective medical center were included.

Disclosures: The authors did not declare any source of funding. The authors declared no competing interests.

Source: Kim W et al. Sci Rep. 2021 Dec 10. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-03145-7.

Key clinical point: Fetal abdominal obesity (FAO) was already present at 20-24 gestational weeks (GW) in the high-risk older and/or obese women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with FAO at 20-24 GW in women with GDM being associated with higher odds of FAO at GDM diagnosis.

Major finding: Compared with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), older and/or obese women (P < .05) but not young and nonobese women with GDM had a significantly higher fetal abdominal overgrowth ratio at gestational weeks 20-24. Compared with NGT women without FAO at 20-24 GW, the odds ratio for exhibiting FAO at GDM diagnosis was 10.15 (95% CI, 5.27-19.57).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective review of 6,996 singleton pregnant women who had fetal biometry data measured at 20-24 GW and delivered at the respective medical center were included.

Disclosures: The authors did not declare any source of funding. The authors declared no competing interests.

Source: Kim W et al. Sci Rep. 2021 Dec 10. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-03145-7.

Key clinical point: Fetal abdominal obesity (FAO) was already present at 20-24 gestational weeks (GW) in the high-risk older and/or obese women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with FAO at 20-24 GW in women with GDM being associated with higher odds of FAO at GDM diagnosis.

Major finding: Compared with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), older and/or obese women (P < .05) but not young and nonobese women with GDM had a significantly higher fetal abdominal overgrowth ratio at gestational weeks 20-24. Compared with NGT women without FAO at 20-24 GW, the odds ratio for exhibiting FAO at GDM diagnosis was 10.15 (95% CI, 5.27-19.57).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective review of 6,996 singleton pregnant women who had fetal biometry data measured at 20-24 GW and delivered at the respective medical center were included.

Disclosures: The authors did not declare any source of funding. The authors declared no competing interests.

Source: Kim W et al. Sci Rep. 2021 Dec 10. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-03145-7.

Key clinical point: Fetuses classified postnatally as small for gestational age (SGA) and fetal growth restricted (FGR) had smaller prenatal cardiovascular biometrics already at the second trimester anatomy scan.

Major finding: Compared with the control fetus, the SGA group had significantly smaller ascending aorta in the 3-vessel view, whereas the FGR group had significantly smaller aortic valve and pulmonary valve, even after adjusting for gestational age and abdominal circumference (all P < .005).

Study details: Findings are from a sub-study of Copenhagen Baby Heart Study, a prospective study, including 8,278 fetuses from the second trimester of pregnancy, of which 625 were classified as SGA and 289 as FGR postnatally.

Disclosures: The study was supported by funding from “Rigshospitalets Research Foundation” and “Aase and EjnarDanielsens Research Foundation” received by C Vedel. OB Petersen declared holding a professorship funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. None of the other authors declared any conflict of interests.

Source: Frandsen JS et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Dec 20. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.12.031.

Key clinical point: Fetuses classified postnatally as small for gestational age (SGA) and fetal growth restricted (FGR) had smaller prenatal cardiovascular biometrics already at the second trimester anatomy scan.

Major finding: Compared with the control fetus, the SGA group had significantly smaller ascending aorta in the 3-vessel view, whereas the FGR group had significantly smaller aortic valve and pulmonary valve, even after adjusting for gestational age and abdominal circumference (all P < .005).

Study details: Findings are from a sub-study of Copenhagen Baby Heart Study, a prospective study, including 8,278 fetuses from the second trimester of pregnancy, of which 625 were classified as SGA and 289 as FGR postnatally.

Disclosures: The study was supported by funding from “Rigshospitalets Research Foundation” and “Aase and EjnarDanielsens Research Foundation” received by C Vedel. OB Petersen declared holding a professorship funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. None of the other authors declared any conflict of interests.

Source: Frandsen JS et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Dec 20. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.12.031.

Key clinical point: Fetuses classified postnatally as small for gestational age (SGA) and fetal growth restricted (FGR) had smaller prenatal cardiovascular biometrics already at the second trimester anatomy scan.

Major finding: Compared with the control fetus, the SGA group had significantly smaller ascending aorta in the 3-vessel view, whereas the FGR group had significantly smaller aortic valve and pulmonary valve, even after adjusting for gestational age and abdominal circumference (all P < .005).

Study details: Findings are from a sub-study of Copenhagen Baby Heart Study, a prospective study, including 8,278 fetuses from the second trimester of pregnancy, of which 625 were classified as SGA and 289 as FGR postnatally.

Disclosures: The study was supported by funding from “Rigshospitalets Research Foundation” and “Aase and EjnarDanielsens Research Foundation” received by C Vedel. OB Petersen declared holding a professorship funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. None of the other authors declared any conflict of interests.

Source: Frandsen JS et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Dec 20. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.12.031.

Key clinical point: Between 2005 and 2019, sorafenib therapy has led to improvement in clinical outcomes among treatment-naïve patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in concurrence with a decrease in the median duration of therapy.

Main finding: While the median duration of therapy decreased by 53%, from 23.1 weeks to 12.2 weeks (P = .003) over the study period, the median overall survival increased by 4.5 months (P = .048) and the objective response rate increased by 6 months (P = .003).

Study details: This was an analysis of 16 randomized clinical trials (9 phase 3 and 7 phase 2) conducted from 2005-2019, wherein sorafenib was administered to 4,086 patients with advanced HCC naïve to systemic therapy to compare its effect relative to another systemic therapy or placebo.

Disclosures: The study received grants from the National Institutes of Health. M Yarchoan declared receiving research grants from or working as a consultant for various organizations.

Source: Brown TJ et al. Gastrointest Tumors. 2021 Dec 22. doi: 10.1159/000521625.

Key clinical point: Between 2005 and 2019, sorafenib therapy has led to improvement in clinical outcomes among treatment-naïve patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in concurrence with a decrease in the median duration of therapy.

Main finding: While the median duration of therapy decreased by 53%, from 23.1 weeks to 12.2 weeks (P = .003) over the study period, the median overall survival increased by 4.5 months (P = .048) and the objective response rate increased by 6 months (P = .003).

Study details: This was an analysis of 16 randomized clinical trials (9 phase 3 and 7 phase 2) conducted from 2005-2019, wherein sorafenib was administered to 4,086 patients with advanced HCC naïve to systemic therapy to compare its effect relative to another systemic therapy or placebo.

Disclosures: The study received grants from the National Institutes of Health. M Yarchoan declared receiving research grants from or working as a consultant for various organizations.

Source: Brown TJ et al. Gastrointest Tumors. 2021 Dec 22. doi: 10.1159/000521625.

Key clinical point: Between 2005 and 2019, sorafenib therapy has led to improvement in clinical outcomes among treatment-naïve patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in concurrence with a decrease in the median duration of therapy.

Main finding: While the median duration of therapy decreased by 53%, from 23.1 weeks to 12.2 weeks (P = .003) over the study period, the median overall survival increased by 4.5 months (P = .048) and the objective response rate increased by 6 months (P = .003).

Study details: This was an analysis of 16 randomized clinical trials (9 phase 3 and 7 phase 2) conducted from 2005-2019, wherein sorafenib was administered to 4,086 patients with advanced HCC naïve to systemic therapy to compare its effect relative to another systemic therapy or placebo.

Disclosures: The study received grants from the National Institutes of Health. M Yarchoan declared receiving research grants from or working as a consultant for various organizations.

Source: Brown TJ et al. Gastrointest Tumors. 2021 Dec 22. doi: 10.1159/000521625.

Key clinical point: Having undergone drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE), treatment response and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) could be predicted by MRI signal intensity in the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, respectively.

Main finding: The only significant predictive factors of noncomplete response and short DFS were signal intensity heterogeneity in the HBP (adjusted odds ratio, 4.807; P = .048) and elevated serum AFP levels (≥30 ng/mL; adjusted hazard ratio, 2.916; P = .040), respectively.

Study details: This was a preliminary single-center retrospective study including 55 treatment-naive patients who underwent DEB-TACE for HCC.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation funded by the Korean government. The authors reported no conflict of interests.

Source: Lee JY et al. Sci Rep. 2021 Dec 15. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-01839-6.

Key clinical point: Having undergone drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE), treatment response and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) could be predicted by MRI signal intensity in the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, respectively.

Main finding: The only significant predictive factors of noncomplete response and short DFS were signal intensity heterogeneity in the HBP (adjusted odds ratio, 4.807; P = .048) and elevated serum AFP levels (≥30 ng/mL; adjusted hazard ratio, 2.916; P = .040), respectively.

Study details: This was a preliminary single-center retrospective study including 55 treatment-naive patients who underwent DEB-TACE for HCC.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation funded by the Korean government. The authors reported no conflict of interests.

Source: Lee JY et al. Sci Rep. 2021 Dec 15. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-01839-6.

Key clinical point: Having undergone drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE), treatment response and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) could be predicted by MRI signal intensity in the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, respectively.

Main finding: The only significant predictive factors of noncomplete response and short DFS were signal intensity heterogeneity in the HBP (adjusted odds ratio, 4.807; P = .048) and elevated serum AFP levels (≥30 ng/mL; adjusted hazard ratio, 2.916; P = .040), respectively.

Study details: This was a preliminary single-center retrospective study including 55 treatment-naive patients who underwent DEB-TACE for HCC.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation funded by the Korean government. The authors reported no conflict of interests.

Source: Lee JY et al. Sci Rep. 2021 Dec 15. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-01839-6.

Key clinical point: Compared with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA) effectuates better 1- and 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) along with a lower risk of major complications in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Main finding: Although both ablation therapies led to a similar 2-year overall survival (P = .573), MWA achieved better 1-year DFS (79.7% vs 60.7%; P = .035) and 2-year DFS (72.5% vs 45.4%; P = .02) rates than RFA. Concurrently, MWA showed a lower rate of major complications than RFA (14% vs 29%; P = .043).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study involving 150 patients with HCC, including treatment-naïve and recurrent HCC, who were treated with either RFA (n=100) or MWA (n=50).

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education. No conflict of interests was reported by the authors.

Source: Lee SK et al. J Clin Med. 2022 Jan 7. doi: 10.3390/jcm11020302.

Key clinical point: Compared with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA) effectuates better 1- and 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) along with a lower risk of major complications in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Main finding: Although both ablation therapies led to a similar 2-year overall survival (P = .573), MWA achieved better 1-year DFS (79.7% vs 60.7%; P = .035) and 2-year DFS (72.5% vs 45.4%; P = .02) rates than RFA. Concurrently, MWA showed a lower rate of major complications than RFA (14% vs 29%; P = .043).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study involving 150 patients with HCC, including treatment-naïve and recurrent HCC, who were treated with either RFA (n=100) or MWA (n=50).

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education. No conflict of interests was reported by the authors.

Source: Lee SK et al. J Clin Med. 2022 Jan 7. doi: 10.3390/jcm11020302.

Key clinical point: Compared with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA) effectuates better 1- and 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) along with a lower risk of major complications in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Main finding: Although both ablation therapies led to a similar 2-year overall survival (P = .573), MWA achieved better 1-year DFS (79.7% vs 60.7%; P = .035) and 2-year DFS (72.5% vs 45.4%; P = .02) rates than RFA. Concurrently, MWA showed a lower rate of major complications than RFA (14% vs 29%; P = .043).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study involving 150 patients with HCC, including treatment-naïve and recurrent HCC, who were treated with either RFA (n=100) or MWA (n=50).

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education. No conflict of interests was reported by the authors.

Source: Lee SK et al. J Clin Med. 2022 Jan 7. doi: 10.3390/jcm11020302.

Key clinical point: First-line radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is associated with worse long-term therapeutic outcomes for single periportal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than for single nonperiportal HCC.

Main finding: At 1 and 5 years, periportal vs nonperiportal HCC was associated with significantly higher local tumor progression rates (15.7% and 46.9% vs 6.0% and 28.7%, respectively; P = .007) and worse overall survival rates (81.3% and 42.9% vs 99.3% and 78.1%, respectively; P < .0001).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study involving 233 patients with HCC, either periportal (n=56) or nonperiportal (n=177), who underwent percutaneous RFA alone or combined with transarterial chemoembolization as first-line treatment.

Disclosures: The authors reported no funding source or conflict of interests.

Source: Cao S et al. Cancer Imaging. 2022 Jan 4. doi: 10.1186/s40644-021-00442-2.

Key clinical point: First-line radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is associated with worse long-term therapeutic outcomes for single periportal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than for single nonperiportal HCC.

Main finding: At 1 and 5 years, periportal vs nonperiportal HCC was associated with significantly higher local tumor progression rates (15.7% and 46.9% vs 6.0% and 28.7%, respectively; P = .007) and worse overall survival rates (81.3% and 42.9% vs 99.3% and 78.1%, respectively; P < .0001).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study involving 233 patients with HCC, either periportal (n=56) or nonperiportal (n=177), who underwent percutaneous RFA alone or combined with transarterial chemoembolization as first-line treatment.

Disclosures: The authors reported no funding source or conflict of interests.

Source: Cao S et al. Cancer Imaging. 2022 Jan 4. doi: 10.1186/s40644-021-00442-2.

Key clinical point: First-line radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is associated with worse long-term therapeutic outcomes for single periportal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than for single nonperiportal HCC.

Main finding: At 1 and 5 years, periportal vs nonperiportal HCC was associated with significantly higher local tumor progression rates (15.7% and 46.9% vs 6.0% and 28.7%, respectively; P = .007) and worse overall survival rates (81.3% and 42.9% vs 99.3% and 78.1%, respectively; P < .0001).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study involving 233 patients with HCC, either periportal (n=56) or nonperiportal (n=177), who underwent percutaneous RFA alone or combined with transarterial chemoembolization as first-line treatment.

Disclosures: The authors reported no funding source or conflict of interests.

Source: Cao S et al. Cancer Imaging. 2022 Jan 4. doi: 10.1186/s40644-021-00442-2.

Key clinical point: As initial treatment, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) effectuates a greater survival and radiological response than transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) among patients with infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Main finding: HIAC vs TACE led to a longer median overall survival (13.3 months vs 10.8 months; P = .043) and progression-free survival (7.8 months vs 4.0 months; P = .035) along with higher objective response (34.8% vs 11.8%; P = .001) and disease control (54.3% vs 36.8%; P = .028) rates.

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective real-world study including 160 adult patients with large infiltrative HCCs who underwent either HAIC (n=92) or TACE (n=68) as initial treatment.

Disclosures: The authors declared receiving no financial assistance for the study and having no potential conflict of interests.

Source: An C et al. Front Oncol. 2021 Dec 16. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.747496.

Key clinical point: As initial treatment, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) effectuates a greater survival and radiological response than transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) among patients with infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Main finding: HIAC vs TACE led to a longer median overall survival (13.3 months vs 10.8 months; P = .043) and progression-free survival (7.8 months vs 4.0 months; P = .035) along with higher objective response (34.8% vs 11.8%; P = .001) and disease control (54.3% vs 36.8%; P = .028) rates.

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective real-world study including 160 adult patients with large infiltrative HCCs who underwent either HAIC (n=92) or TACE (n=68) as initial treatment.

Disclosures: The authors declared receiving no financial assistance for the study and having no potential conflict of interests.

Source: An C et al. Front Oncol. 2021 Dec 16. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.747496.

Key clinical point: As initial treatment, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) effectuates a greater survival and radiological response than transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) among patients with infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Main finding: HIAC vs TACE led to a longer median overall survival (13.3 months vs 10.8 months; P = .043) and progression-free survival (7.8 months vs 4.0 months; P = .035) along with higher objective response (34.8% vs 11.8%; P = .001) and disease control (54.3% vs 36.8%; P = .028) rates.

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective real-world study including 160 adult patients with large infiltrative HCCs who underwent either HAIC (n=92) or TACE (n=68) as initial treatment.

Disclosures: The authors declared receiving no financial assistance for the study and having no potential conflict of interests.

Source: An C et al. Front Oncol. 2021 Dec 16. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.747496.

Key clinical point: Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST)-determined objective response (OR) and early tumor shrinkage (ETS) may serve as independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on sorafenib monotherapy.

Main finding: OR assessed by mRECIST (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.32; P < .001) and ETS (aHR, 0.44; P < .001) were independent prognostic factors for OS. A longer median OS was shown by responders vs nonresponders (30.3 months vs 11.4 months; P < .001) and by patients with ETS ≥20% vs those with ETS <20% (22.1 months vs 11.4 months; P < .001).

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of data from the phase 2 SORAMIC trial and included 115 patients with advanced HCC receiving sorafenib monotherapy.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Sirtex Medical and Bayer Healthcare. Some of the authors declared receiving personal fees and research grants from various sources including Bayer and Sirtex.

Source: Öcal O et al. Cancer Imaging. 2022 Jan 4. doi: 10.1186/s40644-021-00439-x.

Key clinical point: Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST)-determined objective response (OR) and early tumor shrinkage (ETS) may serve as independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on sorafenib monotherapy.

Main finding: OR assessed by mRECIST (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.32; P < .001) and ETS (aHR, 0.44; P < .001) were independent prognostic factors for OS. A longer median OS was shown by responders vs nonresponders (30.3 months vs 11.4 months; P < .001) and by patients with ETS ≥20% vs those with ETS <20% (22.1 months vs 11.4 months; P < .001).

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of data from the phase 2 SORAMIC trial and included 115 patients with advanced HCC receiving sorafenib monotherapy.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Sirtex Medical and Bayer Healthcare. Some of the authors declared receiving personal fees and research grants from various sources including Bayer and Sirtex.

Source: Öcal O et al. Cancer Imaging. 2022 Jan 4. doi: 10.1186/s40644-021-00439-x.

Key clinical point: Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST)-determined objective response (OR) and early tumor shrinkage (ETS) may serve as independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on sorafenib monotherapy.

Main finding: OR assessed by mRECIST (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.32; P < .001) and ETS (aHR, 0.44; P < .001) were independent prognostic factors for OS. A longer median OS was shown by responders vs nonresponders (30.3 months vs 11.4 months; P < .001) and by patients with ETS ≥20% vs those with ETS <20% (22.1 months vs 11.4 months; P < .001).

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of data from the phase 2 SORAMIC trial and included 115 patients with advanced HCC receiving sorafenib monotherapy.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Sirtex Medical and Bayer Healthcare. Some of the authors declared receiving personal fees and research grants from various sources including Bayer and Sirtex.

Source: Öcal O et al. Cancer Imaging. 2022 Jan 4. doi: 10.1186/s40644-021-00439-x.

Key clinical point: Lowering the current United Network for Organ Sharing-recommended alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level threshold for exclusion from liver transplant (LT) to ≥500 ng/mL for all patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) instead of only for those with AFP levels >1000 ng/mL could improve post-LT outcomes.

Main finding: After multivariable adjustment, an AFP level ≥500 ng/mL at LT was associated with an elevated risk of post-LT mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.5; P = .02) and HCC recurrence (aHR, 1.88; P = .02) compared with an AFP level <100 ng/mL.

Study details: This was a retrospective cohort study involving 1,766 adult patients with HCC who had undergone LT and had listing AFP levels between 100 ng/mL and 999 ng/mL at initial model for end-stage liver disease exception.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute Research Funding Award and UCSF Liver Center. Some of the authors reported being on the advisory board of or receiving research grants from various organizations.

Source: Goldman ML et al. Liver Transpl. 2021 Dec 20. doi: 10.1002/lt.26392.

Key clinical point: Lowering the current United Network for Organ Sharing-recommended alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level threshold for exclusion from liver transplant (LT) to ≥500 ng/mL for all patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) instead of only for those with AFP levels >1000 ng/mL could improve post-LT outcomes.

Main finding: After multivariable adjustment, an AFP level ≥500 ng/mL at LT was associated with an elevated risk of post-LT mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.5; P = .02) and HCC recurrence (aHR, 1.88; P = .02) compared with an AFP level <100 ng/mL.

Study details: This was a retrospective cohort study involving 1,766 adult patients with HCC who had undergone LT and had listing AFP levels between 100 ng/mL and 999 ng/mL at initial model for end-stage liver disease exception.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute Research Funding Award and UCSF Liver Center. Some of the authors reported being on the advisory board of or receiving research grants from various organizations.

Source: Goldman ML et al. Liver Transpl. 2021 Dec 20. doi: 10.1002/lt.26392.

Key clinical point: Lowering the current United Network for Organ Sharing-recommended alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level threshold for exclusion from liver transplant (LT) to ≥500 ng/mL for all patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) instead of only for those with AFP levels >1000 ng/mL could improve post-LT outcomes.

Main finding: After multivariable adjustment, an AFP level ≥500 ng/mL at LT was associated with an elevated risk of post-LT mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.5; P = .02) and HCC recurrence (aHR, 1.88; P = .02) compared with an AFP level <100 ng/mL.

Study details: This was a retrospective cohort study involving 1,766 adult patients with HCC who had undergone LT and had listing AFP levels between 100 ng/mL and 999 ng/mL at initial model for end-stage liver disease exception.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute Research Funding Award and UCSF Liver Center. Some of the authors reported being on the advisory board of or receiving research grants from various organizations.

Source: Goldman ML et al. Liver Transpl. 2021 Dec 20. doi: 10.1002/lt.26392.