Initial experience with stereotactic body radiotherapy for intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplantation

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Graft hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplant is more frequently encountered. Graft hepatectomy is technically challenging and is associated with high morbidity. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of primary HCC. However, its role in HCC recurrence in a liver graft remains unclear.

AIM

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of SBRT for the treatment of graft HCC recurrence after liver transplantation.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted. From 2012 to 2018, 6 patients with intrahepatic HCC recurrence after liver transplant were treated with SBRT at Queen Mary Hospital, the University of Hong Kong. The primary outcome was time to overall disease progression and secondary outcomes were time to local progression and best local response, as assessed with the Modified response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumours criteria. Patients were monitored for treatment related toxicities and graft dysfunction.

RESULTS

A total of 9 treatment courses were given for 13 tumours. The median tumour size was 2.3 cm (range 0.7-3.6 cm). Two (22%) patients had inferior vena cava tumour thrombus. The best local treatment response was: 5 (55%) complete response, 1 (11%) partial response and 3 (33%) stable disease. After a median follow up duration of 15.5 mo, no local progression or mortality was yet observed. The median time to overall disease progression was 6.5 mo. There were 6 regional progression in the liver graft (67%) and 2 distant progression in the lung (22%). There was no grade 3 or above toxicity and there was no graft dysfunction after SBRT.

CONCLUSION

SBRT appears to be safe in this context. Regional progression is the mode of failure.

Key Words: Stereotactic body radiotherapy; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver transplantation; Recurrence; Radiosurgery; Outcomes

Core tip: From 2012 to 2018, 6 patients with intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplant were treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy at Queen Mary Hospital, the University of Hong Kong. A total of 9 treatment courses were given for 13 tumours. The median tumour size was 2.3 cm (range 0.7-3.6 cm). Two (22%) patients had inferior vena cava tumour thrombus. Five patients had complete local response (55%). The median time to overall disease progression was 6.5 mo. There were 6 regional progression in the liver graft (67%). There was no grade 3 or above toxicity. Stereotactic body radiation therapy appears safe but regional progression is common.

INTRODUCTION

Since the implementation of the model for end-stage liver disease allocation system, patients enlisted for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been given increased priority for cadaveric grafts[1]. Adoption of extended criteria also largely expanded the recipient pool[2-5]. With increasing numbers of liver transplants performed for HCC, recurrence is more frequently encountered[6]. One-third of post-transplant recurrence is confined to the liver graft[7]. In this context graft hepatectomy offers chance of cure, but is technically challenging due to hostile adhesions surrounding vital portal structures. Infective complications are not uncommon after such ultra-major operation in an immunocompromised host[8,9]. The demand for a safe and effective treatment modality is desperate.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), a precise delivery of conformal external beam irradiation, has been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of primary HCC[10]. SBRT has become an appealing alternative to surgery in patients with inadequate liver function. However, the role of SBRT for HCC recurrence in a liver graft remains unclear. There is no literature to report the oncological benefits and the potential toxicity to the liver graft. Therefore, the current study is proposed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SBRT for the treatment of intrahepatic HCC recurrence after liver transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients

A retrospective study was conducted at Queen Mary Hospital, the University of Hong Kong. Queen Mary Hospital was the tertiary referral centre and the only liver transplant centre in Hong Kong. All consecutive patients who received SBRT for recurrent HCC in the transplanted liver at this centre between 2012 and 2018 were included. A radiological diagnosis of HCC recurrence in the liver graft was made based on the typical enhancement pattern according to the dynamic imaging criteria[11]. The treatment decisions were discussed in a multidisciplinary tumour board among hepatobiliary and transplant surgeons, transplant hepatologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists.

Treatment

Eligibility to SBRT were defined by: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 2[12]; uninvolved liver graft volume > 700 mL; adequate graft function i.e., international normalized ratio (INR) < 1.7, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase < 2.5 times upper limit of normal, with no ascites or hepatic encephalopathy and adequate renal function with creatinine < 1.5 times upper limit of normal, the number of tumour was limited to 5.

Tumour location and volume were assessed with contrast computed tomography scan. The volume of uninvolved liver graft and other organs at risk were also assessed. Four-dimensional images were acquired using Philips Bellows Device^TM (Philips Medical Systems, Cleveland, OH, United States) to synchronize respiratory motion. Gross tumor volume is defined as HCC focus that is visualized on contrast imaging. Individualized margin will be added to gross tumor volume to form the planning target volume to compensate for respiratory motions. We prescribe the dose according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 1112 protocol[13]. Stereotactic planning was performed to minimize collateral radiation to the surrounding organs-at risk including the normal liver graft, esophagus, heart, stomach, duodenum, small bowel, large bowel, kidneys, gallbladder, common bile duct, and spinal cord. The final dose is determined such that a maximum tumoricidal dose can be delivered to tumors while respecting the tolerance dose of organs-at-risk. Dose prescription was based on the volume of normal tissue irradiated and the volume of the target. A total dose of 20 to 50 Gy separated in 5 to 6 fractions were given over 5 to 14 d. Photon beam was delivered with respiratory gating to adjust for ventilatory movements. 6MeV photon beam was usually used while 10 MeV beam was used in selected patients for deeper penetration and better dose homogeneity.

Data collection and outcomes

Data was retrieved from a prospectively collected database. Patients were followed-up regularly by the radiation oncologists and transplant surgeons for monitoring graft function, adverse event and treatment response. Blood test was performed for complete blood count, renal and liver function, coagulation studies and alpha-fetoprotein at 2, 4, 8, 12, 26 and 52 wk after SBRT. Surveillance imaging was carried out every 3 to 6 mo with contrast computed tomography or primovist enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment response were evaluated according to the Modified response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumours criteria[14]. Treatment response of the index lesion was graded as complete response, partial response, stable disease or progressive disease. Toxicity was graded with the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0[15].

The primary outcome was time to progression, defined as the time between SBRT and the first imaging indicating disease progression. The patterns of disease progression included local, regional and distant. Local progression of the index lesion was defined according to Modified response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumours criteria. Regional progression was defined as intrahepatic disease progression completely distinct from the index lesion. Distinct progression referred to progression outside the liver. Continuous variables were presented as median and range. Survivals were studied with Kaplan-Meier method. Data was analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 16.0 (SPSS) for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, United States).

RESULTS

Patient characteristics

Twenty-three patients were diagnosed with intrahepatic HCC recurrence after liver transplantation. Six of them received SBRT (Table 1). Four (67%) of them were transplanted with deceased whole graft while 2 (33%) received a right lobe graft from a living donor. In 4 patients, the HCC before transplant were within the University of California San Francisco criteria[16]. A total of 9 courses of radiotherapy were given for 13 tumours. Two patients were irradiated more than once for metachronous recurrence (No. 1 and 2). The median age at the time of SBRT was 59 (range 31-67) years (Table 2). All patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 1. The median time to recurrence of the index tumour was 66.5 (range 1.2-86.7) mo. All patients had normal liver function with no evidence of graft cirrhosis. One patient was warfarinized for tumour thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC) and his INR was 1.5. The INR of the remaining patients were ≤ 1.2. The level of serum bilirubin and albumin were all within normal ranges.

Table 1 Patient characteristics and outcomes on stereotactic body radiotherapy for graft hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplantation.

No.	Sex	Age	Index recurrence					Distant recurrence	Systemic therapy	Regional therapy	SBRT (dose/fraction)	Best local response	Disease progression	Time to progression (mo)	Follow up time		Toxicity/Grade
			Time after transplant (mo)	First	No.	Size (cm)	Location								From first recurrence (mo)	From SBRT (mo)
				Recurrence
1	M	36	58.2	No	1	2.4	S7	No	SRL	No	50 Gy/5	CR	Regional/distant	6.5	132	84.2	Dyspepsia/1
		37	66.5	No	1	1.9	S6	Lung	SRL/SECOX	No	50 Gy/5	CR	Distant	10.9
2	M	66	69.4	Yes	2	3.6	S8	No	EVL	No	45 Gy/5	PR	Regional	9.5	31.3	28
						3.1	S7/IVC thrombus
		66	81.8	No	2	2	S8	No	EVL	No	40 Gy/5	SD	Regional	3.3
						0.7	S7
		67	86.7	No	1	1.2	S6	No	EVL	No	40 Gy/5	SD	Regional	3.2
3	M	60	12.5	Yes	2	3.3	S7/IVC thrombus	No	EVL/Sorafenib	No	37.5 Gy/5	CR	Regional	10.3	19	15.5	Dyspepsia/1
						2.3	S6
4	M	63	24.5	Yes	1	2.8	S3	No	EVL	No	37.5 Gy/5	SD	Regional	3.3	9	6.4	Gastric ulcer/2
5	M	57	1.2	Yes	1	1	Portal LN	No	EVL/Lenvatinib	No	45 Gy/5	CR	No	-	6.9	6.3
6	M	58	75.8	No	1	2.5	S5	No	EVL	TACE	50 Gy/5	CR	No	-	30.8	1.8	Diarrhoea/1

CR: Complete response; EVL: Everolimus; IVC: Inferior vena cava; LN: Lymph node, PR: Partial response; SD: Stable disease; SRL: Sirolimus; TACE: Trans-arterial chemoembolization.

Table 2 Summary of patient, liver function, tumour and treatment characteristics.

	Range (%)
Age	59 (31-66)
Gender (male), n (%)	6 (100)
Type of graft
Whole	4 (67)
Right lobe	2 (33)
Within UCSF, n (%)	4 (67)
Time to first recurrence (mo)	18.5 (1.2-69.4)
Time to index recurrence (mo)	66.5 (1.2-86.7)
ECOG	1 (0-1)
Bilirubin (umol/L)	9 (4-23)
Albumin (g/L)	43 (39-47)
ALT (U/L)	28 (19-44)
AST (U/L)	33 (18-58)
INR	1.0 (1.0-1.5)1
Platelet (× 109/L)	124 (43-255)
Creatinine (umol/L)	107 (78-121)
Index lesion as first recurrence, n (%)	4 (44)
Number of index lesions	1 (1-2)
Tumour size (cm)	2.3 (0.7-3.6)
IVC invasion, n (%)	2 (22)
Distant recurrence, n (%)	1 (11)
AFP (ng/mL)	4 (2-1354)
Prescribed dose (Gy)	45 (37.5-50)
Number of fractions	5 (5-6)
Dose per fraction (Gy)	8 (7.5-10)
Treatment duration (d)	5 (5-14)
Concomitant sysetmic treatment, n (%)	6 (100)

¹One patient on warfarin had INR ≥ 1.5. ECOG: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; INR: International normalized ratio; ALT: Alanine transaminase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; AFP: Alpha-fetoprotein; USCF: University of California San Francisco; IVC: Inferior vena cava.

Tumour and treatment characteristics

Four (44%) of the index lesions were the first-time recurrence after liver transplantation. Although the selection criteria were less than or equal to 5 tumours, most patients in our series had a solitary recurrence (range 1-2). The clinician could have selected more favourable tumours as we had limited experience for liver graft irradiation. The median tumour size was 2.3 cm (range 0.7-3.6 cm). One (11%) patient has synchronous pulmonary metastasis managed with concurrent SBRT to the lung. Two (22%) patients had IVC tumour thrombus. There was no portal venous invasion in this series. The serum level of alpha-fetoprotein ranged from 2 to 1354 ng/mL. The median treatment dose to tumour was 45 (range 37.5-50) Gy. Irradiation was given over 5-6 fractions of a median 8 (range 7.5-10) Gy. All patients had concomitant systemic treatment during the study period (Table 1). All of them received mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (sirolimus or everolimus) as immunosuppression. Two patients were treated with sorafenib: one as single agent (No. 3) and the other (No. 1) combined with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (SECOX). One patient (No. 5) received lenvatinib upon completion of SBRT. One patient (No. 6) received trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) while awaiting SBRT.

Outcomes

The best local treatment response after SBRT was: 5 (55%) complete response, 1 (11%) partial response and 3 (33%) stable disease (Figure 1A). The median follow-up duration after SBRT were 15.5 mo from SBRT and 24.9 mo from the first recurrence. No local progression or mortality was yet observed. There were 7 disease progressions (78%, including 5 regionals i.e., in the liver graft (56%), 1 distant in the lung (11%) and 1 concurrent in liver and lung (11%) (Figure 1B). The median time to overall disease progression was 6.5 mo (Figure 2). All patients were surviving at the time of writing.

Figure 1 Outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy. A: Best local response according the Modified response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumours criteria; B: Pattern of disease progression after stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Figure 2 Kaplan Meier curve denoting disease progression-free survival after stereotactic body radiotherapy. SBRT: Stereotactic body radiation therapy.

The representative images of patient No. 2 were shown in Figure 3. He received a total of 3 courses of SBRT for repeated intrahepatic recurrence after right lobe liver transplant. There were 2 tumours upon initial recurrence, one at S8 and one at S7 extending into the IVC (Figure 3A). Stereotactic irradiation was performed to both tumours while minimizing collateral radiation to the normal liver graft and stomach (Figure 3B). The irradiated tumours showed partial response with re-cannulation of the IVC (Figure 3C). Subsequent regional recurrences were treated with further courses of SBRT. Eventually multifocal intrahepatic recurrence developed (Figure 3D), and the treatment was converted to TACE.

Figure 3 Representative images of patient No. 2. A: First recurrence with S7 tumour invading inferior vena cava (arrow: Inferior vena cava tumour thrombus; arrowhead: stomach); B: Stereotactic planning to minimize collateral radiation to the normal liver and stomach (arrowhead); C: S7 and S8 recurrent tumours showed partial response after stereotactic body radiotherapy. Inferior vena cava was re-cannulated (arrow); D: Multifocal intrahepatic recurrences in the graft (arrows).

Four adverse events (graded 1-2) were observed and they were related to the gastrointestinal system (Table 1). One patient suffered from gastric ulcer after irradiation of segment III recurrence in close proximity to stomach (Figure 4). He required oral proton pump inhibitor therapy. Two other had dyspepsia while one suffered from diarrhoea which was self-limiting. There was no grade 3 or above toxicity. No graft dysfunction occurred after SBRT. Figure 5 showed the liver function parameters after SBRT. SBRT appeared to be associated with transient and self-limiting elevation of aspartate transaminase (P = 0.01) and alanine transaminase (P = 0.06) at 2 mo after the treatment session. There was no significant change in levels of bilirubin after SBRT.

Figure 4 Patient No. 4 had recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma over S3 (arrow) close to stomach (arrowhead). He developed gastric ulcer necessitating proton pump inhibitor therapy.

Figure 5 Liver function parameters after stereotactic body radiation therapy. A: Aspartate aminotransferase; B: Alanine aminotransferase; C: Bilirubin.

DISCUSSION

The current series demonstrated that SBRT for post-transplant intrahepatic HCC recurrence conferred effective local control without adversely affecting graft function. Complete response was achieved in majority of the patients and the median time to local progression has yet been achieved after 15.5 mo, in the presence of two locally advanced tumour i.e., with IVC tumour thrombi. Regional progression was the mode of failure, which occurred commonly and shortly after SBRT. Disease progression occurred over a median of half year, with two-third recurring in the other parts of the liver. These results affirm the safety and local efficacy of SBRT but call for the necessity of additional regional control.

For primary HCC, regional and distant progression occurred in 19% and 11% of patients respectively after SBRT[10]. The treatment outcomes for post-transplant recurrence compared unfavourably especially in terms of regional progression (67%). The disease nature itself is held responsible. Post-transplant HCC recurrence is, by definition, metastatic disease from the native liver. Even isolated intrahepatic recurrence represents a local phenomenon of an ongoing systemic event, and should be managed with a combination of systemic and loco-regional treatment[17].

Apart from SBRT, all patients in our series received systemic anti-tumour therapy with at least a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (Table 1). However, this study revealed a significant shortcoming of SBRT and systemic therapy combination in this context. Regional control is inadequate. Given the effectiveness of radiotherapy in local control, it may appear sensible to expand the irradiation field to cover the remaining liver graft. However, historical experience in whole liver irradiation has shown that the liver has a relatively limited tolerance[18]. Several attempts by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group have failed to establish a safe and effective dose for whole liver irradiation[19,20]. When combined with conformal irradiation to the tumour, the risk of radiation induced liver disease is expected to be further amplified. Perhaps hepatic disease can be better handled with regional chemotherapy. Intra-arterial delivery of platinum drug carried in an emulsion with lipiodol via TACE is a well-established treatment modality for primary HCC[21]. The chemotherapeutic effect is further enhanced by gelfoam embolization, which induces tumour necrosis. The efficacy of TACE for post-transplant recurrence has been addressed a prospective case-control study consisting 28 patients[22]. The best outcome was partial response, which was elicited in 57% of the patients. The local control compared inferiorly to SBRT in our series (55% complete response and 11% partial response). Nevertheless, improved overall survival was reported compared to no chemoembolization (1-year survival 86% vs 50%, P = 0.01), acknowledging the oncological benefits of regional therapy.

Based on these results, we look forward to a combination treatment of SBRT with TACE. Their respective roles in local and regional control potentially complement each other. Of course, concomitant systemic therapy is of utmost importance and should not be omitted. In fact, the last patient in our series (No. 6) received this combination. He was treated with everolimus and TACE, followed by SBRT at 6-wk interval. The oncological outcomes cannot be ascertained at this juncture due to limited follow up. This would be answered by future studies with larger sample size and longer follow up time. SBRT/TACE combination has been shown to be safe in patients with cirrhosis and primary HCC[23]. In a transplanted liver, the additional concerns are graft toxicities and biliary complications. So far, no graft failure or biliary complications have been reported[22]. Nevertheless, pre-existing biliary complications are found in 20% of transplant recipients[24]. Whether SBRT/TACE combination could benefit patients with graft HCC recurrence remains to be answered by future studies.

In this study, patients were selected for SBRT based on limited disease burden i.e., oligo-recurrence, technical feasibility and adequate graft function. Oligo-recurrence describes recurrent disease limited in number and location, so that loco-regional treatment confer survival benefits[25]. All patients were surviving after a median follow up duration was 24.9 mo. One patient (No. 1) survived for more than 10 years after developing recurrence. This was encouraging, considering the disease was metastatic in nature. This was a result of repeated courses of loco-regional treatment combined with multiple lines of systemic therapy, in a highly selected patient cohort. Though long-term survival deems possible, the million-dollar question remains. Not until more patients have been managed can we predict who will benefit from a more aggressive approach.

The current study is limited by its retrospective and descriptive nature. Sample size and the follow up duration were limited. Nevertheless, this is the first series in the literature to report the efficacy and safety regarding SBRT for graft HCC recurrence after liver transplantation. We have revealed a significant shortcoming of SBRT in this cohort to guide future studies.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

Graft hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplant is not uncommon. Graft hepatectomy is technically challenging and is associated with high morbidity. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) could be a safe alternative treatment modality to graft HCC recurrence.

Research motivation

The role of SBRT for HCC recurrence in a liver graft remains unclear.

Research objectives

The current study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SBRT for graft HCC recurrence after liver transplantation.

Research methods

A retrospective study of 6 patients and 9 treatment courses for 13 recurrent tumours in the liver graft.

Research results

Five patient had complete local response (55%). The median time to overall disease progression was 6.5 mo. There were 6 regional progression in the liver graft (67%). There was no grade 3 or above toxicity.

Research conclusions

SBRT appears safe but regional progression is common.

Research perspectives

The role of SBRT combined with additional regional treatment could be explored.