Combination of TACE and Sorafenib Improves Outcomes in BCLC Stages B/C of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single Centre Experience

Background &amp; Aim. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or sorafenib is recommended for hepatocellular carcinoma BCLC stages B and C respectively. We studied the role of combination of TACE and sorafenib in BCLC stages B/C.Material and methods. We undertook an observational study on a cohort of cirrhotics with HCC from August 2010 through October 2014. Patients in BCLC stages B/C who had received TACE and/or sorafenib were included. mRECIST criteria were used to assess tumor response. The primary end point was overall survival.Results. Out of 124 patients, 47.6% were in BCLC-B and 52.4% in BCLC-C. Baseline characteristics were comparable. The predominant etiology was cryptogenic (37.2% and 38.5%, p = NS). 49.1% in BCLC-B and 56.9% in BCLC-C had received TACE+sorafenib. In BCLC-B, the overall survival improved from 9 months (95% CI 6.3-11.7) using TACE only to 16 months (95% CI 12.9-19.1) using TACE+sorafenib (p < 0.05). In BCLC-C, addition of TACE to sorafenib improved the overall survival from 4 months (95%CI 3-5) to 9 months (95%CI 6.8-11.2) (p < 0.0001). As per mRECIST criteria, patients on TACE+sorafenib had reduced progressive disease (37.8% vs. 83.3%), improved partial response (43.2% vs. 3.3%) and one had complete response compared to those on sorafenib alone (p < 0.0001) in BCLC-C but not in BCLC-B group. Hand foot syndrome was noted in 27.7% patients on sorafenib and post TACE syndrome in 80.2% patients, but both were reversible. No major adverse events were noted.Conclusion. TACE+sorafenib was more effective than TACE or sorafenib alone in HCC BCLC stages B or C with a significant survival benefit and improved tumour regression especially in BCLC-C patients

Development of Predisposition,Injury,Response,Organ failure model for predicting acute kidney injury in acute on chronic liver failure.

Background and Aim There is limited data on predictors of acute kidney injury(AKI) in ACLF. We developed a PIRO model (Predisposition, Injury, Response, Organ failure) for predicting AKI in a multi-centric cohort of ACLF patients. Patients and Methods Data of 2360 patients from APASL-ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) was analysed. Multivariate logistic regression model (PIRO score) was developed from a derivation cohort (n=1363) which was validated in another prospective multicentric cohort of ACLF patients (n=997) Results Factors significant for P component were serum creatinine[(≥2mg/dl)OR 4.52, 95% CI (3.67-5.30)], bilirubin [(/dL,OR 1) versus (12-30 mg/dL,OR 1.45, 95% 1.1-2.63) versus (≥30 mg/dL,OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.2)], serum potassium [(/LOR-1)versus (3-4.9 mmol/L,OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.05-1.97) versus (≥5 mmol/L,OR 4.34, 95% CI 1.67-11.3)] and blood urea (OR 3.73, 95% CI 2.5-5.5); for I component nephrotoxic medications (OR-9.86, 95% CI 3.2-30.8); for R component,Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome,(OR-2.14, 95% CI 1.4-3.3); for O component, Circulatory failure (OR-3.5, 95% CI 2.2-5.5). The PIRO score predicted AKI with C-index of 0.95 and 0.96 in the derivation and validation cohort.The increasing PIRO score was also associated with mortality (p \u3c 0.001) in both the derivation and validation cohorts. Conclusions The PIRO model identifies and stratifies ACLF patients at risk of developing AKI. It reliably predicts mortality in these patients, underscoring the prognostic significance of AKI in patients with ACLF