Predicting Liver Regeneration Following Major Resection

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Predicting Liver Regeneration Following Major Resection

August 8, 2022

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY – On August 4, 2022, Liver Surgery Research’s new research, “Predicting Liver Regeneration Following Major Resection," authored by Karolin Dehlke, Linda Krause, Silvana Tyufekchieva, Anastasia Murtha-Lemekhova, Philipp Mayer, Artyom Vlasov, Ursula Klingmüller, Nikola S. Mueller and Katrin Hoffmann was published. This manuscript was published by the peer reviewed and open access journal, Scientific Reports; which has an impact factor of 4.996.

Abstract

Breakdown of synthesis, excretion and detoxification defines liver failure. Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is specific for liver resection and a rightfully feared complication due to high lethality and limited therapeutic success. Individual cytokine and growth factor profiles may represent potent predictive markers for recovery of liver function. We aimed to investigate these profiles in post-hepatectomy regeneration. This study combined a time-dependent cytokine and growth factor profiling dataset of a training (30 patients) and a validation (14 patients) cohorts undergoing major liver resection with statistical and predictive models identifying individual pathway signatures. 2319 associations were tested. Primary hepatocytes isolated from patient tissue samples were stimulated and their proliferation was analyzed through DNA content assay. Common expression trajectories of cytokines and growth factors with strong correlation to PHLF, morbidity and mortality were identified despite highly individual perioperative dynamics. Especially, dynamics of EGF, HGF, and PLGF were associated with mortality. PLGF was additionally associated with PHLF and complications. A global association-network was calculated and validated to investigate interdependence of cytokines and growth factors with clinical attributes. Preoperative cytokine and growth factor signatures were identified allowing prediction of mortality following major liver resection by regression modelling. Proliferation analysis of corresponding primary human hepatocytes showed associations of individual regenerative potential with clinical outcome. Prediction of PHLF was possible on as early as first postoperative day (POD1) with AUC above 0.75. Prediction of PHLF and mortality is possible on POD1 with liquid-biopsy based risk profiling. Further utilization of these models would allow tailoring of interventional strategies according to individual profiles. To learn more about this study, visit https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-16968-9#citeas.

About Liver Surgery Research

Liver Surgery Research (LSR) is a medical research group, located at Heidelberg University in Heidelberg, Germany. LSR specializes in research investigating liver regeneration after hepatectomy (liver resection) and post-hepatectomy liver failure, HCC development and treatment (especially in the context of MAFLD [metabolically associated fatty liver disease]), and rare liver lesions and diseases. LSR is the founder and leader of the RELIVE (RarE LIVEr) Initiative; a multidisciplinary project to establish evidence-based therapies for rare liver diseases. LSR is currently working on over 20 research projects and has over 100 peer reviewed published authorships. To learn more about Liver Surgery Research, visit www.liversurgeryresearch.com.

Contact:

Nicholas Murtha

Communications Manager

Liver Surgery Research at Heidelberg University

liversurgeryresearch@protonmail.com

nicholas.murtha@protonmail.com

Reference:

Dehlke, K., Krause, L., Tyufekchieva, S. et al. Predicting liver regeneration following major resection. Sci Rep12, 13396 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-16968-9

###