Research Communication: Serum Metabolomic Signatures Predict Tumour Recurrence After Resection or Ablation in Patients With Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often experience recurrence after curative therapies, underscoring a need for risk stratification models. We validated 6 and 13-metabolite signatures in patients who achieved complete response following surgical resection or local ablation. Of 78 patients, 32 (41.0%) died and 40 (51.3%) experienced recurrence, of whom 35 (87.5%) had early recurrence. In multivariable analysis, the 6-metabolite signature was associated with early recurrence (aHR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1–7.5), and the 13-metabolite signature was associated with overall recurrence (aHR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1–6.0). These data support the potential role of serum metabolites in post-treatment risk stratification for HCC recurrence.