Liver Transplantation as a Curative Approach for Patients With Nonresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases

Objectives: Liver transplant is emerging as a potential treatment option for patients with isolated colorectal liver metastasis. In this review article, we analyzed the published literature on liver transplant outcomes in such patients. Materials and Methods: Four prospective studies documenting the clinical outcomes in patients with colorectal liver metastasis who underwent liver transplant were analyzed to study the feasibility of liver transplant in such patients. Results: The SECA-II trial demonstrated the highest overall survival of 100%, 83%, and 83% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, and disease-free survival of 53%, 44%, and 35%, respectively, with a narrow inclusion criterion. Conversely, extended criteria for selection and donors in arm D of the same trial resulted in median overall survival and disease-free survival of 18 and 4 months, respectively. Conclusions: Liver transplant provided more prolonged overall survival compared with other therapeutic modalities. Patients with isolated colorectal liver metastasis of less aggressive biology, good performance status, at least 6 weeks of chemotherapy, low clinical risk scores, and negative nodal disease should be considered for patient selection. Moreover, exclusion criteria consisting of patients with the right-sided primary tumor, less than 3 years to liver transplant after diagnosis, and elevation of carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9) in the presence of BRAF mutation should be explored.

Automated summary

Liver transplant has emerged as a potential treatment option for isolated colorectal liver metastasis, providing prolonged overall survival compared to other therapeutic modalities. Selecting appropriate patients, including those with less aggressive biology, good performance status, at least 6 weeks of chemotherapy, low clinical risk scores, and negative nodal disease, is crucial.