Cross-Match as an Immuno-Oncological Risk Factor for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence and Inferior Survival After Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Call for Further Investigation

Abstract

Background: The success of immunotherapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) suggests that immune dysregulation occurs in HCC patients. This warrants an immuno-oncological risk assessment in the platform of liver transplantation. Methods: This retrospective single-center study analyzed risk factors for—particularly cross-matching performed through conventional complement-dependent cytotoxicity cross-match tests—and the outcomes of HCC recurrence following living donor liver transplant. Results: A total of 71 patients were included. The median follow-up period was 29.1 months; 17 (23.9%) patients had posttransplant HCC recurrence, and their 1-, 3-, and 5-year-survival rates were 70.6%, 25.7%, and 17.1%, respectively, which were inferior to those of patients without HCC recurrence (87.0%, 80.7%, and 77.2%, respectively; P