Diagnostic Performance of Serum AKR1B10 in Early-Stage and AFP-Negative Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicentre Study.
Refinessuggested applicable standard· American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), 'AASLD Practice Guidance on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma,' Hepatology, 2023 (78(6):1922-1965).
Decision at stakethe use of serum biomarkers for HCC diagnosis and surveillance
… Surveillance is abdominal ultrasound PLUS serum AFP at ~6-month (semiannual) intervals, a change from prior AASLD guidance, which had left AFP optional (Strong recommendation). … After potentially curative therapy, continue surveillance for recurrence given high recurrence risk (AASLD monitors with cross-sectional contrast-enhanced imaging, not ultrasound, in the early post-treatment period).
From our summary of this standard, unedited — the part the paper bears on. … marks omitted text. Our wording, not the guideline's; read the source for its own text.
Our full summary of this standard
Perform HCC surveillance in adults with cirrhosis of any etiology who are able to benefit from HCC treatment, accordingly, do not enroll patients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh class C cirrhosis unless they are candidates for (or listed for) liver transplantation, and do not surveil those with life-limiting comorbidity (life expectancy <1-2 years) that transplantation cannot remedy, and in select non-cirrhotic chronic HBV carriers at elevated risk (e.g., active hepatitis/high viral load, family history of HCC, African/African-American ancestry, Asian men >40 and Asian women >50; AASLD references risk scores such as PAGE-B but stops short of mandating a specific numeric cutoff). Surveillance is abdominal ultrasound PLUS serum AFP at ~6-month (semiannual) intervals, a change from prior AASLD guidance, which had left AFP optional (Strong recommendation). Pursue diagnostic evaluation for an AFP ≥20 ng/mL or for a rising AFP, defined as a doubling of AFP or an increase on two consecutive tests even if the absolute value is <20 ng/mL. Any suspicious ultrasound observation ≥1 cm, or an inadequate/limited ultrasound, should be evaluated with multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT or MRI interpreted with CT/MRI LI-RADS. AASLD 2023 stages confirmed HCC using the BCLC framework and links stage to therapy (curative resection, ablation, or transplantation within Milan criteria for very-early/early disease; TACE and other locoregional therapy for intermediate disease; systemic therapy for advanced disease). Its first-line systemic options for advanced HCC with preserved liver function (Child-Pugh A) are atezolizumab+bevacizumab OR durvalumab+tremelimumab (STRIDE) as preferred, with sorafenib, lenvatinib, or durvalumab monotherapy as alternatives when the preferred combinations are contraindicated. After potentially curative therapy, continue surveillance for recurrence given high recurrence risk (AASLD monitors with cross-sectional contrast-enhanced imaging, not ultrasound, in the early post-treatment period).