The GALAD score and the BALAD-2 score correlate with transarterial and systemic treatment response and survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology 2024-02, Vol.150 (2), p.81-81, Article 81
• Main Authors: Olbrich, Anne, Niemeyer, Johannes, Seiffert, Hendrik, Ebel, Sebastian, Gros, Olga, Lordick, Florian, Forstmeyer, Dirk, Seehofer, Daniel, Rademacher, Sebastian, Denecke, Timm, Matz-Soja, Madlen, Berg, Thomas, van Bömmel, Florian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alpha-Fetoproteins; Cancer Research; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - drug therapy; Hematology; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Humans; Internal Medicine; Liver cancer; Liver Neoplasms - drug therapy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Prothrombin; Retrospective Studies; Sorafenib; α-Fetoprotein
• ISSN: 1432-1335; 0171-5216; 1432-1335
• DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05526-z

Purpose The GALAD score and the BALAD-2 score are biomarker-based scoring systems used to detect hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Both incorporate levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive AFP (AFP-L3), and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP). Our objective was to examine the relationship between the GALAD score as well as the BALAD-2 score and treatment response to transarterial or systemic treatments in patients with HCC. Methods A total of 220 patients with HCC treated with either transarterial ( n  = 121) or systemic treatments ( n  = 99; mainly Sorafenib) were retrospectively analyzed. The GALAD score and the BALAD-2 score were calculated based on AFP-L3, AFP, and DCP levels measured in serum samples collected before treatment. The results were correlated with 3-month treatment efficacy based on radiologic mRECIST criteria. Results The GALAD score showed a strong correlation with BCLC stage ( p