Personalized surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis – using machine learning adapted to HCV status

Patients with HCV-related cirrhosis must be included in liver cancer surveillance programs using ultrasound examination every 6 months, even after viral eradication. However, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening is hampered by sensitivity issues leading to cancer diagnosis at advanced stages in a substantial number of patients. Refining surveillance periodicity and modality using more sophisticated imaging techniques such as MRI may only be cost-effective in patients with the highest HCC incidence. Using machine learning algorithms (i.e. data-driven mathematical models to make predictions or decisions), this study highlights how such methods can refine the individualized prediction of HCC risk in patients with compensated HCV cirrhosis as a function of their virological status.

Source: Journal of Hepatology - June 28, 2020 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Etienne Audureau, Fabrice Carrat, Richard Layese, Carole Cagnot, Tarik Asselah, Dominique Guyader, Dominique Larrey, Victor De L édinghen, Denis Ouzan, Fabien Zoulim, Dominique Roulot, Albert Tran, Jean-Pierre Bronowicki, Jean-Pierre Zarski, Ghassan Riac Source Type: research