Yang, Ju Dong

Backgrounds and Aims: HBV-related liver disease ranks as the seventh leading cause of mortality. Despite advances in prevention and treatment, global disparities in the burden of primary liver cancer (PLC) persist. We evaluate global trends in the prevalence, incidence, and death of HBV-related liver disease. Approach and Results: Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 evaluated acute HBV infection, HBV-related cirrhosis, and HBV-related liver cancer prevalence, incidence, and death. In 2021, there were 7.30 million cases of acute HBV, 283.64 million cases of HBV-related cirrhosis, and 288,110 cases of HBV-related PLC. HBV-related PLC accounted for 39% of the global incidence of PLC; Western Pacific had the highest rates for HBV-related PLC, with an incidence of 5.24 and a death rate of 4.38 per 100,000 population. Between 2000 and 2021, age-standardized incidence, prevalence, and death rates from HBV-related liver disease decreased; however, the incidence of HBV-related PLC rose in 65 countries from 2000 to 2021. In parallel, age-standardized prevalent rates from HBV-related PLC increased in Europe (annual percent change: 0.77%, 95% CI: 0.72%–0.81%) and the Americas (annual percent change: 1.05%, 95% CI: 1.00%–1.10%). Conclusions: From 2000 to 2021, decreases in HBV-related liver disease incidence and prevalence were observed; however, more than one-third of countries showed an increase in the incidence of HBV-related PLC. These findings highlight the need for strengthened HBV treatment efforts to reduce the risk of liver cancer.

Background and Aims: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive malignancy arising from the biliary epithelium with limited therapeutic options and poor long-term survival rates. To address the limitations of CCA treatment, we investigated cell-targeted nanovesicles as a delivery platform for transcriptome-targeting therapeutics. Approach and Results: Milk-derived nanovesicles were loaded with short interfering RNAs targeting Yes-associated protein (YAP), the downstream effector of the Hippo pathway; LCK, an upstream regulator of YAP; and tafazzin, a protein critical for the integrity of the inner mitochondrial membrane. These transcriptome-targeting nanovesicles were decorated with a lipid-coupled RNA aptamer to epithelial cell adhesion molecule, including a tracking fluorophore. In vitro studies were conducted using multiple CCA cell lines. In vivo studies were performed using C57BL/6 and non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice to evaluate delivery and efficacy in both an immunocompetent syngeneic murine and a patient-derived xenograft model. We demonstrated that transcriptome-targeting nanovesicles were selectively taken up by liver tumor cells, which was augmented by the incorporation of a targeting aptamer, and that milk-derived nanovesicles loaded with short interfering RNA effectively downregulated target gene expression, both in vitro and in vivo. Downstream effects of target gene inhibition were observed, including downregulation of YAP-TEAD target genes and an increase in reactive oxygen species production at the mitochondrial level. Administration of transcriptome-targeting nanovesicles targeting YAP, LCK, and tafazzin inhibited CCA growth and further synergized with chemotherapy in 2 preclinical CCA models. Conclusions: Herein, we show that aptamer-directed, nanovesicle-mediated targeting of YAP, LCK, and tafazzin potentiates chemosensitivity in 2 CCA models when delivered using aptamer-guided milk-derived nanovesicles.

566 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the preferred treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Conflicting data exist regarding the prognostic value of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in these patients. We aimed to explore potential the association between irAEs and prognosis in HCC patients treated with ICIs. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CENTRAL databases for articles published from inception to June 2024 using keywords including ICI, HCC, and irAEs. Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility and relevant data. A random effects model was used for statistical analysis, and subgroup analysis was performed by the grade of irAEs. Results: Of 3,028 studies, 25 (n=4,116 patients) met criteria for inclusion. Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab was the most common treatment regimen (n=10 studies). About half (49.5%) of patients experienced irAEs. irAEs were associated with increased objective response rate (ORR) (pooled OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.36 – 2.19, I 2 =39%), higher complete response rate (pooled OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.21-1.74, I 2 =74%), and longer progression-free survival (PFS) (pooled HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.52-0.84, I 2 =71%). Although irAEs were associated with longer overall survival, this difference was not statistically significant (pooled HR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.62 – 1.11, I 2 =73%). Subgroup analysis showed a survival benefit for patients with grade 1-2 irAEs (pooled HR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.36-0.67, I 2 =0%) but not for those with grade 3-4 irAEs (pooled HR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.24-3.72, I 2 =84%). Conclusions: The development of irAEs is associated with a favorable prognosis in HCC, including improved PFS and higher ORR. A survival benefit was noted in patients with mild irAEs, but not in those with severe irAEs. Future studies are needed to determine if a differential survival benefit relates to the continuation vs. discontinuation of ICI therapy.

573 Background: Immunotherapy has shown great efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). No clear consensus exists on when to stop the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) after complete response (CR), and clinical course after stopping ICI remains unknown. Methods: We identified 138 HCC patients who received ICI at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Rochester from 2016-2023. Modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (mRECIST) was used to assess treatment response. We further described the clinical course of patients who achieved CR after ICI discontinuation, including cancer recurrence, subsequent treatment, liver transplantation (LT) listing and outcomes. Results: The median age at ICI initiation was 68 years; 79% were male; 55.9% were white; 51.5% were BCLC stage C. 9.4% CRs, 25.4% partial responses, 39.9% stable diseases, and 25.4% progressive disease. Hepatitis C etiology was associated with higher likelihood of CR (P=0.005). Among 13 patients who achieved CR, 10 stopped ICI (60% for LT evaluation, 40% for toxicity). After stopping ICI, 40% had recurrence (Table). 3 patients underwent local therapy for recurrent HCC within Milan criteria and 1 patient restarted ICI for recurrence beyond Milan criteria. Among CR patients, 9 patients underwent LT evaluation after stopping ICI and 7 patients were waitlisted. After listing, 3 dropouts were observed, due to recurrent HCC beyond Milan criteria, sepsis leading to death, and personal preference. 4 patients underwent LT. 2 patients underwent local therapy before LT for recurrent HCC (Table). All transplanted patients had the last dose of ICI more than 1 year before LT (12, 21, 24, and 29 months). On explanted livers, 2 patients had no residual viable tumor and 2 patients had residual HCC within Milan criteria. 1 patient developed acute cellular rejection and was treated with immunosuppressants and maintained stable graft function. None had graft loss or evidence of HCC recurrence in the follow-up period at 8, 20, 28, and 51 months. Conclusions: Immunotherapy demonstrated excellent effects on a subset of HCC patients, including 9.4% who achieved CR. After stopping ICI, 40% had cancer recurrence but 3 out of 4 were within Milan criteria. 4 underwent successful LTs (2.9%) with excellent post LT outcome. Larger prospective data is needed to establish a protocol for ICI use, especially to determine the optimal timing for ICI discontinuation after CR. BCLC at ICI initiation ICI cycles before stopping, ICI Recurrence after last ICI (days) Within Milan at recurrence Treatment(s) received after recurrence and outcomes OS (days) Patient 1 B 7, Nivolumab 730 No Nivolumab. Died from GI bleeding 1065 Patient 2 B 64, Atezo/Bev 149 Yes TACE with CR, followed by LT without recurrence. 1203 Patient 3 A 8, Nivolumab 1393 Yes Y90 with CR. No recurrence. 1984 Patient 4 C NA, Pembrolizumab 407 Yes TACE and MWA with CR, followed by LT without recurrence. 1722

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide including sub-Saharan Africa. The GALAD score, derived from Gender, Age, Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of alpha fetoprotein, Alpha fetoprotein, and Des-carboxy-prothrombin, has high accuracy in diagnosing HCC in Asia, Europe, and North America; however, it has not been validated in an African cohort. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the GALAD score in the diagnosis of HCC in sub-Saharan Africa. Clinical data from patients with cirrhosis (n = 93) or HCC (n = 78) from outpatient hepatology clinics at three teaching hospitals in Ghana were abstracted, and serum samples were analyzed. A logistic regression model predicting HCC status based on the GALAD score was constructed to obtain the ROC curve for GALAD. The AUC with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. The median GALAD score was higher among patients with HCC versus cirrhosis controls (8.0 vs. −4.1, P < 0.01). The AUC of the GALAD score for HCC detection was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.79–0.92). At a cut-off value of −0.37, the GALAD score had a sensitivity of 0.81 and a specificity of 0.86. The AUC (95% CI) was 0.87 (0.80–0.95) and 0.81 (0.67–0.94) in hepatitis B virus–positive and hepatitis B virus–negative patients, respectively. The GALAD score has a high accuracy for HCC detection. It has great potential to improve HCC surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa where imaging resources are limited. Significance: The GALAD score or its relevant modifications have the potential to aid in improving HCC surveillance efforts in low-resource settings in sub-Saharan Africa. This could enhance early detection rates of HCC and potentially improve survival rates in resource-limited settings.

Background Gastrointestinal cancers comprise nearly one-third of global mortality from cancer, yet the comprehensive global burden of these cancers remains uninvestigated. Objective We aimed to assess the global, regional and national burden of gastrointestinal cancers. Designs Data on oesophagus, gastric, colorectal, liver, pancreas and biliary tract cancers were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database. Age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardised death rate (ASDR) were calculated by sex, region and Sociodemographic Index (SDI). Results In 2021, there were 5.26 million incidences and 3.70 million deaths from gastrointestinal cancer. The greatest burden is from colorectal, followed by gastric, oesophageal, pancreatic, liver and biliary tract cancer. We noted geographical and socioeconomic differences in ASIR and ASDR across all types of cancers. From 2000 to 2021, ASIR increased for colorectal cancer (annual percent change (APC): 0.10%, 95% CI 0.05% to 0.14%), pancreatic cancer (APC: 0.27%, 95% CI 0.14% to 0.41%), and liver cancer from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (APC: 0.62%, 95% CI 0.58% to 0.67%) and alcohol-related liver disease (APC: 0.26%, 95% CI 0.22% to 0.30%). ASDR increased for pancreatic cancer (APC: 0.18%, 95% CI 0.02% to 0.34%). Higher SDI countries had higher incidence rates for most types of gastrointestinal cancer. Conclusions Although the ASIR of oesophageal, gastric and biliary tract cancer has decreased, the ASIR still increased in colorectal, pancreatic and liver cancer from steatotic liver disease. Public policies are important for controlling gastrointestinal cancers—most importantly, reducing alcohol consumption, hepatitis B immunisation and tackling the burden of metabolic diseases.

Biliary tract cancers, including cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder, and ampulla of Vater cancers, rank second among hepatobiliary cancers, known for their poor prognoses. The United States has witnessed a notable increase in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma incidence. This study examines the incidence and survival outcomes of biliary tract cancers in Olmsted County, Minnesota from 1976 to 2018. Using data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP), residents aged 20 and above were analyzed across four eras. Incidence rates were calculated and adjusted for age and sex, and temporal trends were assessed using Poisson regression. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma exhibited a significant escalation in incidence rates over time, while gallbladder cancers showed a decline among women. Median survival times for biliary tract cancers notably improved. These findings confirm the rising incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and suggest improving survival rates. Nevertheless, the overall prognosis for biliary tract cancers remains very poor, emphasizing the continual need for enhanced management strategies and further research.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with cancer, including gastrointestinal (GI). Data from low (LICs) and lower-middle-income countries (MICs) are limited. METHODS: We utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to determine the mortality from GI cancer risk of high body mass index (BMI) in these countries. RESULTS: Mortality rates of GI cancers from high BMI increased in LICs and lower MICs, while burdens decreased or remained stable in high and middle-income countries. DISCUSSION: The GI cancer-related burden from high BMI increased in LICs and lower MICs, necessitating a concerted effort to tackle the obesity pandemic.