Bivalent role of intra-platelet serotonin in liver regeneration and tumor recurrence in humans

Autor: Christine Brostjan, Lukas Oehlberger, Philipp Jonas, Florian Offensperger, S. Haegele, Patrick Starlinger, Thomas Gruenberger, Christian Schwarz, Robin Padickakudy, Alice Assinger, David Pereyra
Rok vydání: 2017
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Hepatology. 67:1243-1252
ISSN: 0168-8278
Popis: Background & Aims Besides its critical role during liver regeneration, serotonin (5-HT) has been found to act as a mitogenic factor in several neoplastic entities. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate whether intra-platelet 5-HT (IP5-HT) was associated with oncological outcome after liver resection and concomitantly evaluate its ability to serve as a therapeutic target to promote liver regeneration. Methods A total of 96 patients undergoing liver resection for malignant liver tumors were prospectively included. Optimized plasma and serum preparation were performed and IP5-HT levels were determined. Patients were followed up for postoperative liver dysfunction (LD), morbidity, disease free and overall survival (OS). Results We found increased preoperative IP5-HT levels in patients with disease recurrence at 6 and 12months ( p =0.046, p =0.020, respectively). In clear contrast, patients suffering from postoperative morbidity, severe morbidity or LD had significantly reduced IP5-HT levels ( p =0.011, p =0.035, p =0.003, respectively). Patients with high IP5-HT levels (>134ng/ml) suffered from an increased incidence of postoperative disease recurrence at 6 and 12months ( p =0.045, p =0.006, respectively) but exhibited a reduction in morbidity, severe morbidity, and LD ( p =0.006, p =0.008, p =0.005, respectively). We confirmed these results in our two largest subgroups, demonstrating that they were independent of tumor type. This bivalent effect of IP5-HT was also reflected in patients receiving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment, who displayed a reduction in disease recurrence accompanied by an increase in postoperative morbidity. Yet, both early disease recurrence and morbidity worsened OS. Conclusion Herein, we present first clinical evidence for IP5-HT being associated with early disease recurrence after liver resection in humans. Thus, pharmacological intervention at the level of platelets and platelet-derived 5-HT to promote liver regeneration should be considered with caution. A careful definition of indications and timing is needed to promote liver regeneration without inducing deleterious effects. Lay summary Preoperative intra-platelet serotonin (IP5-HT) levels seem to substantially affect patient outcomes after liver resection for liver tumors. While there is a narrow window of IP5-HT levels where liver regeneration and tumor progression is balanced, excessively high IP5-HT levels (>134ng/ml IP5-HT) lead to an increased incidence of early tumor recurrence and excessively low IP5-HT levels ( ClinicalTrials.gov-Identifier: NCT01700231.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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