Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis: a case–control study

Abstract

To study the treatment efficacy and survival of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumour thrombosis (PVTT) with compensated cirrhosis in comparison with sorafenib as the standard of care therapy versus best supportive care (BSC). This case-control study included 91 patients with advanced HCC and PVTT divided into three groups: Group 1 20 treated with HAIC, (50 mg adriamycin and 50 mg cisplatin were infused in hepatic artery); Group 2, 42 patients treated with BSC; and Group 3, 29 patients treated with sorafenib. Patients were followed up for assessment and comparison of treatment outcome by modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (mRECIST) and survival. There was no significant difference among the groups studied regarding baseline demographic and tumour characteristics. The majority of patients who received sorafenib therapy (82.8%) had stable disease. The response rate (complete response+partial response) was significantly better in the HAIC group. HAIC patients had the longest survival compared with the best supportive care and sorafenib groups, which was statistically significant (29.2±21.8, 4.55±11.41, and 11.52±8.72 months respectively, p=0.007) CONCLUSION: HAIC is a safe procedure with a better response rate and longer survival than best supportive care or sorafenib for patients with advanced HCC and PVTT.