The Evolving Role of Liver Transplantation for the treatment of Malignant Tumors: Current Perspectives and Future Directions

Liver transplantation has long been a life-saving intervention for individuals with end-stage liver disease. However, its role in treating malignant tumors has evolved significantly over the years. This topic explores the dynamic landscape of liver transplantation as a therapeutic option for patients with liver malignancies, shedding light on current perspectives and future directions in the field. Current perspectives emphasize careful patient selection, locoregional therapies, and tailored immunosuppression. However, future directions are even more promising, with precision medicine, immunotherapy, AI, and innovative organ preservation techniques on the horizon. Genetic profiling of tumors may enable personalized treatment approaches, identifying patients who can benefit the most from transplantation.

As immunotherapy is gaining prominence in cancer treatment, we anticipate that combining liver transplantation with immunomodulatory agents could enhance transplant outcomes in this group of patients. AI-driven algorithms for predicting tumor recurrence and patient outcomes are currently being developed. These tools could aid in decision-making and post-transplant surveillance. Innovative organ preservation techniques on the horizon hold the potential to prolong the lifespan of donor livers, effectively mitigating the organ shortage. Furthermore, these advancements may also broaden the scope of transplantation to encompass other medical conditions that are currently less accepted, including certain cancer-related indications. As research and technology continue to advance, liver transplantation's role in the treatment of cancer is likely to expand, offering new hope to patients facing this challenging diagnosis.

This Research Topic aims to delve into the evolving role of liver transplantation in the treatment of malignant tumors, focusing on current perspectives and future directions. The main objectives include understanding the latest advancements in patient selection, locoregional therapies, and immunosuppression, as well as exploring the potential of precision medicine, immunotherapy, AI, and innovative organ preservation techniques. Specific questions to be addressed include: How can genetic profiling improve patient outcomes? What is the role of immunotherapy in conjunction with liver transplantation? How can AI-driven algorithms enhance decision-making and post-transplant surveillance?

To gather further insights into the evolving role of liver transplantation for malignant tumors, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan Criteria;
• Hepatocellular beyond Milan Criteria;
• Downstaging approaches for Hepatocellular carcinoma;
• Peri-hilar Cholangiocarcinoma;
• Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma;
• Hepatic neuro-endocrine metastases;
• Hepatic Colorectal Metastases;
• Mixed Tumors (Hepatocellular/Cholangiocarcinoma);
• Patient eligibility for oncologic cases.

In addition, we will also focus on surgical techniques and innovations such as:

• Investigating evolving surgical techniques, including living donor liver transplantation and split-liver transplantation for the treatment of malignant liver tumors;
• Analyzing the impact of surgical advancements on patient outcomes, graft function, and long-term survival rates.

Keywords: Liver Transplantation, Visceral Surgery, Treatment of Malignant Tumors, Current Perspectives, Future Directions

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.