Title: Comparison of Clinicopathologic Characteristics among Patients with HBV-positive,
HCV- positive and Non-B Non-C Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy: A Systematic
Review and Meta-Analysis
Version: 2 Date: 01 Feb 2023
Reviewer's report:
Comparison of Clinicopathologic Characteristics among Patients with HBV-positive, HCV-
positive and Non-B Non-C Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy: A Systematic Review
and Meta-Analysis
Authors conducted a meta-analysis in the topic of the difference in clinicopathologic
determinants and the prognosis among HCC with different etiologies (i.e., nonBnonC, HBV-
related, HCV-related, and HBV/HCV coinfection). This study demonstrated that NBNC-HCC
showed better liver function and lighter liver cirrhosis compared with patients of hepatitis virus-
related HCC, but there was no significant survival difference. However, there were several
concerns for this study.
Major comments
1. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the demographics, oncological features and
survival outcomes between NBNC-HCC and hepatitis virus-related HCC. I think the comparison
between HBV-related versus HCV-related HCC is irrelevant and not necessary.
2. There are significant disparities in terms of the indication of surgery, the choice of anatomical
resection, and follow-up strategy relative to the region (i.e., Eastern versus Western). Could the
authors do additional analysis with a stratification of regions?
3. I wonder how the conclusion of this study apply to the clinical situation. Should we change
the practice relative to the etiologies or not? Please dig deeper on this topic in the conclusion.
Minor comments
1. Some grammatical errors and typos which need editing. For example, page 4 - change from
"…the comparison of clinic features…" to "…the comparison of clinical features. . ."
2. If it is feasible, the authors should collect the information on BCLC stage, which is accepted
as an effective staging schema for HCC worldwide.
Title: Comparison of Clinicopathologic Characteristics among Patients with HBV-positive,
HCV- positive and Non-B Non-C Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy: A Systematic
Review and Meta-Analysis
Version: 2 Date: 01 Feb 2023
Reviewer's report:
Comparison of Clinicopathologic Characteristics among Patients with HBV-positive, HCV-
positive and Non-B Non-C Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy: A Systematic Review
and Meta-Analysis
Authors conducted a meta-analysis in the topic of the difference in clinicopathologic
determinants and the prognosis among HCC with different etiologies (i.e., nonBnonC, HBV-
related, HCV-related, and HBV/HCV coinfection). This study demonstrated that NBNC-HCC
showed better liver function and lighter liver cirrhosis compared with patients of hepatitis virus-
related HCC, but there was no significant survival difference. However, there were several
concerns for this study.
Major comments
1. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the demographics, oncological features and
survival outcomes between NBNC-HCC and hepatitis virus-related HCC. I think the comparison
between HBV-related versus HCV-related HCC is irrelevant and not necessary.
2. There are significant disparities in terms of the indication of surgery, the choice of anatomical
resection, and follow-up strategy relative to the region (i.e., Eastern versus Western). Could the
authors do additional analysis with a stratification of regions?
3. I wonder how the conclusion of this study apply to the clinical situation. Should we change
the practice relative to the etiologies or not? Please dig deeper on this topic in the conclusion.
Minor comments
1. Some grammatical errors and typos which need editing. For example, page 4 - change from
"…the comparison of clinic features…" to "…the comparison of clinical features. . ."
2. If it is feasible, the authors should collect the information on BCLC stage, which is accepted
as an effective staging schema for HCC worldwide.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Comparison of Clinicopathologic Characteristics among Patients with HBV-positive,
HCV- positive and Non-B Non-C Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy: A Systematic
Review and Meta-Analysis
Version: 2 Date: 01 Feb 2023
Reviewer's report:
Comparison of Clinicopathologic Characteristics among Patients with HBV-positive, HCV-
positive and Non-B Non-C Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy: A Systematic Review
and Meta-Analysis
Authors conducted a meta-analysis in the topic of the difference in clinicopathologic
determinants and the prognosis among HCC with different etiologies (i.e., nonBnonC, HBV-
related, HCV-related, and HBV/HCV coinfection). This study demonstrated that NBNC-HCC
showed better liver function and lighter liver cirrhosis compared with patients of hepatitis virus-
related HCC, but there was no significant survival difference. However, there were several
concerns for this study.
Major comments
1. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the demographics, oncological features and
survival outcomes between NBNC-HCC and hepatitis virus-related HCC. I think the comparison
between HBV-related versus HCV-related HCC is irrelevant and not necessary.
2. There are significant disparities in terms of the indication of surgery, the choice of anatomical
resection, and follow-up strategy relative to the region (i.e., Eastern versus Western). Could the
authors do additional analysis with a stratification of regions?
3. I wonder how the conclusion of this study apply to the clinical situation. Should we change
the practice relative to the etiologies or not? Please dig deeper on this topic in the conclusion.
Minor comments
1. Some grammatical errors and typos which need editing. For example, page 4 - change from
"…the comparison of clinic features…" to "…the comparison of clinical features. . ."
2. If it is feasible, the authors should collect the information on BCLC stage, which is accepted
as an effective staging schema for HCC worldwide.
assistant