1. The GALAD score and the BALAD-2 score correlate with transarterial and systemic treatment response and survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Author
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Olbrich A, Niemeyer J, Seiffert H, Ebel S, Gros O, Lordick F, Forstmeyer D, Seehofer D, Rademacher S, Denecke T, Matz-Soja M, Berg T, and van Bömmel F
- Subjects
- Humans, alpha-Fetoproteins, Retrospective Studies, Sorafenib, Carcinoma, Hepatocellular drug therapy, Liver Neoplasms drug therapy
- Abstract
Purpose: The GALAD score and the BALAD-2 score are biomarker-based scoring systems used to detect hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Both incorporate levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive AFP (AFP-L3), and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP). Our objective was to examine the relationship between the GALAD score as well as the BALAD-2 score and treatment response to transarterial or systemic treatments in patients with HCC., Methods: A total of 220 patients with HCC treated with either transarterial (n = 121) or systemic treatments (n = 99; mainly Sorafenib) were retrospectively analyzed. The GALAD score and the BALAD-2 score were calculated based on AFP-L3, AFP, and DCP levels measured in serum samples collected before treatment. The results were correlated with 3-month treatment efficacy based on radiologic mRECIST criteria., Results: The GALAD score showed a strong correlation with BCLC stage (p < 0.001) and total tumor diameter before treatment (p < 0.001).The GALAD score at baseline was significantly lower in patients with a 3-month response to transarterial (p > 0.001) than in refractory patients. Among patients receiving systemic treatment, the median BALAD-2 score at baseline showed a strong association with response at month 3 (p < 0.001). In the transarterial treatment group, the GALAD score (AUC = 0.715; p < 0.001) as well as the BALAD score (AUC = 0.696; p < 0.001) were associated with overall survival, hereby outperforming AFP, AFP-L3 and DCP., Conclusion: The GALAD score as well as the BALAD-2 score hold significant promise as a prognostic tool for patients with early or intermediate-stage HCC who are undergoing transarterial or systemic treatments., (© 2024. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2024
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