Advances in Liver Transplantation and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Dear Colleagues,

Liver transplantation is one of the most rapidly growing fields of research worldwide. The recent introduction of machine perfusion technology has witnessed a welcome expansion of technological advancements and an interest in biomolecular markers of liver graft quality and function. Several markers are being tested to help clinicians select grafts and improve the outcomes of transplantation. Among the most common indications of liver transplantation, hepatocellular carcinoma is gaining more interest due to the recent breakthrough in immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment schedules. This development suggests potential roles in adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies, which are expected to significantly impact decision-making processes for hepatocellular carcinoma in the future. Alfa-fetoprotein alone is no longer sufficient for modern decision algorithms, and novel molecular and inflammatory biomarkers are being tested and introduced in clinical practice to profile patients’ risks and allocate them to the best treatment option.

Pure clinical studies are outside the scope of the journal. Our journal is mainly focused on basic science, in vitro, in vivo, and pre-clinical research, while purely clinical studies are usually not processed. (You can find the details here: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/biomolecules/about).

The Special Issue, “Advances in Liver Transplantation and Hepatocellular Carcinoma”, seeks to raise scientific interest around bio-molecular markers applied to liver transplantation, contribute to the evolution of knowledge, and improve standards of care.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Biomolecular markers of liver graft quality;
2. The prediction role of biomolecular markers in liver transplantation;
3. Biomolecular markers of graft viability in the setting of machine perfusion technology;
4. Biomolecular markers of liver graft dysfunction;
5. HCC biomarkers: AFP, PIVKA, and SPIK;
6. The role of inflammation and immunity;
7. Standards of biomolecular HCC diagnosis;
8. Biomolecular-based diagnostic algorithms for HCC;
9. Biomolecular-based screening and prevention algorithms;
10. Advantages and pitfalls of existing biomolecular diagnosis.

Prof. Dr. Paolo De Simone
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• biomolecular markers of liver graft quality
• the prediction role of biomolecular markers in liver transplantation
• biomolecular markers of graft viability in the setting of machine perfusion technology
• biomolecular markers of liver graft dysfunction
• HCC biomarkers: AFP, PIVKA, and SPIK
• the role of inflammation and immunity
• standards of biomolecular HCC diagnosis
• biomolecular-based diagnostic algorithms for HCC
• biomolecular-based screening and prevention algorithms
• advantages and pitfalls of existing biomolecular diagnosis