ABSTRACT Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as promising agents for the management of advanced HCC. By reducing tumour burden, ICIs may serve as a downstaging/bridging tool to improve transplant candidacy. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of patients receiving pre‐LT ICIs. Methods Multicenter, retrospective cohort study from January 2018 to December 2024, including 48 patients who received ICIs prior to LT (ICI cohort). A control cohort (non‐ICI cohort) was built (1:3) using propensity score matching including 144 patients who underwent LT for HCC without prior ICI. Results Within the ICI cohort ( N = 48) rejection occurred in 9 patients (18.8%), all biopsy‐proven, with a median onset of 31 days post‐LT (12.0–182.0). The median washout period was 60 days (13–96). Patients experiencing rejection had shorter washout periods ( p = 0.029). All rejection episodes were successfully managed; two were steroid‐resistant, one requiring re‐transplantation. There were no rejection‐related deaths. Of the 5 patients with HCC recurrence, 60% received ICI for < 90 days ( p = 0.027). Comparison between the ICI and non‐ICI cohort revealed no significant differences in rejection rates (18.8% vs. 19.4%, p = 0.916), graft failure, HCC recurrence, or overall mortality. Overall survival (OS) did not differ between ICI and non‐ICI patients ( p = 0.625) or between those with and without rejection ( p = 0.119). Rejection was not associated with increased mortality, with deaths primarily attributed to infection or HCC recurrence. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that rejection rates were similar in patients receiving ICIs pre‐LT and it can be safely managed.
Proceedings of the 30th Annual Congress of the International Liver Transplantation Society
The 2025 Annual Congress of the International Liver Transplantation Society (ILTS), themed “ Advancing Liver Transplantation: Embracing Innovation for the Future ,” was held from May 28 to 31 in Singapore. The meeting offered a comprehensive scientific program, featuring 92 sessions and 7 pre-congress workshops spanning living donor liver transplantation, advanced surgery, anesthesia and critical care, transplant oncology and immunology, basic science, pediatrics, and more. The program emphasized collaboration and innovation to advance patient outcomes in liver transplantation. In this report, the ILTS Vanguard Committee summarizes the key proceedings of the congress.