Title: Prognostic value of albumin-bilirubin grade in patients with cholangiocarcinoma: A
systematic review and meta-analysis
Version: 2 Date: 13 Nov 2024
Reviewer:  Hongfeng Gou
Reviewer's report:
This meta-analysis evaluates the prognostic significance of the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade
in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), an aggressive cancer with poor outcomes. However, I would like
to highlight several points for improvement to enhance the clarity and impact of the paper.
1. Excluding ECCA study: As the majority of patients had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
(ICCA), and only one study included patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECCA),
we recommend excluding this single ECCA study to focus on the prognostic value of ALBI
specifically in extrahepatic ICCA.
2.Clarify ALBI Grade# It would be beneficial to provide a more detailed explanation of how
the ALBI grade quantifies liver function. This would help readers better understand its specific
application and calculation in clinical practice.
3.Add Background on ALBI Advantages: In the introduction section, consider adding the main
advantages of the ALBI grade, especially regarding why it may be a relevant and potentially
superior prognostic marker compared to existing markers for CCA.
4. Grammar and Formatting Consistency: Adjust minor formatting issues, such as replacing the
underscore in “10%_15%” with a dash (“10%-15%”), to ensure consistency throughout the text.
5.Pay Attention to the Use of Abbreviations: When the NOS score is first mentioned in Methods
2.3, spell out the full term.
Title: Prognostic value of albumin-bilirubin grade in patients with cholangiocarcinoma: A
systematic review and meta-analysis
Version: 2 Date: 13 Nov 2024
Reviewer:  Hongfeng Gou
Reviewer's report:
This meta-analysis evaluates the prognostic significance of the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade
in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), an aggressive cancer with poor outcomes. However, I would like
to highlight several points for improvement to enhance the clarity and impact of the paper.
1. Excluding ECCA study: As the majority of patients had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
(ICCA), and only one study included patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECCA),
we recommend excluding this single ECCA study to focus on the prognostic value of ALBI
specifically in extrahepatic ICCA.
2.Clarify ALBI Grade# It would be beneficial to provide a more detailed explanation of how
the ALBI grade quantifies liver function. This would help readers better understand its specific
application and calculation in clinical practice.
3.Add Background on ALBI Advantages: In the introduction section, consider adding the main
advantages of the ALBI grade, especially regarding why it may be a relevant and potentially
superior prognostic marker compared to existing markers for CCA.
4. Grammar and Formatting Consistency: Adjust minor formatting issues, such as replacing the
underscore in “10%_15%” with a dash (“10%-15%”), to ensure consistency throughout the text.
5.Pay Attention to the Use of Abbreviations: When the NOS score is first mentioned in Methods
2.3, spell out the full term.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Prognostic value of albumin-bilirubin grade in patients with cholangiocarcinoma: A
systematic review and meta-analysis
Version: 2 Date: 13 Nov 2024
Reviewer:  Hongfeng Gou
Reviewer's report:
This meta-analysis evaluates the prognostic significance of the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade
in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), an aggressive cancer with poor outcomes. However, I would like
to highlight several points for improvement to enhance the clarity and impact of the paper.
1. Excluding ECCA study: As the majority of patients had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
(ICCA), and only one study included patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECCA),
we recommend excluding this single ECCA study to focus on the prognostic value of ALBI
specifically in extrahepatic ICCA.
2.Clarify ALBI Grade# It would be beneficial to provide a more detailed explanation of how
the ALBI grade quantifies liver function. This would help readers better understand its specific
application and calculation in clinical practice.
3.Add Background on ALBI Advantages: In the introduction section, consider adding the main
advantages of the ALBI grade, especially regarding why it may be a relevant and potentially
superior prognostic marker compared to existing markers for CCA.
4. Grammar and Formatting Consistency: Adjust minor formatting issues, such as replacing the
underscore in “10%_15%” with a dash (“10%-15%”), to ensure consistency throughout the text.
5.Pay Attention to the Use of Abbreviations: When the NOS score is first mentioned in Methods
2.3, spell out the full term.
assistant