Present status and recent advances in living donor liver transplantation for malignant hepatic tumors

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been increasingly used to treat hepatic tumors worldwide in recent years, and is currently the most effective alternative to deceased donor liver transplantation to overcome the problem of organ shortage. LDLT has played an enormous role in treating early malignant hepatic tumors. But the indication of LDLT for malignant hepatic tumors is based on indefinite criteria. This review summarizes the recent studies in LDLT for treating malignant hepatic tumors.

A literature research of the PubMed database was conducted and research articles were reviewed.

The current data on LDLT for malignant hepatic tumors, combined with our hospital experience, indicated that if a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who meets with the conventional Milan criteria cannot undergo tumor resection because of poorly preserved liver function, and a cadaveric graft is difficult to obtain within six months, LDLT may be selected. In a patient with recurrence of HCC after conventional therapies, feasibility, optimal timing, and efficacy of LDLT as a second-line treatment should be determined.

Tumor recurrence is related to the biological behavior and staging of the tumor. New immunosuppressors which have anti-tumor effects and inhibit the immune system need to be developed. The indications of LDLT for hepatic malignant tumors should be selected meticulously.