Combination Therapy Of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Research Articles

Efficacy and safety of camrelizumab combined with TACE for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a highly lethal and recurrent neoplasm, with limited effective treatment regimens available. Camrelizumab, as a novel PD1 inhibitor combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), has been widely used in the treatment of HCC. However, there remains a contentious debate regarding the clinical value of the TACE and camrelizumab combination. This study seeks to investigate the efficacy and safety of this combination treatment regimen in patients with HCC. The related studies were retrieved from four online databases, including Pubmed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science, up to June 1, 2023. The selection of studies was based on screening of titles, abstracts, and full-texts. The primary efficacy outcomes included complete response (CR), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR), while safety outcomes evaluated all treatment-related adverse events (AEs). Additionally, secondary outcomes such as overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were extracted for further survival analysis. The quality of the included trials was assessed using the MINORS tool. Publication bias was evaluated through funnel plot and Egger's test. A total of 17 publications involving 1,377 cases were included. The pooled CR rate, ORR, and DCR of the patients treated with TACE plus camrelizumab had a pooled CR rate of 8% (95% CI: 0.01-0.15, p=0.03), ORR of 47% (95% CI: 0.42-0.52, p<0.00001) and DCR of 82% (95% CI: 0.77-0.88, p<0.00001), respectively. Compared with a control group that did not receive TACE or camrelizumab, the pooled RR of CR rate, ORR, and DCR were 1.61 (95% CI: 1.27-2.04, p<0.0001), 1.56 (95% CI: 1.19-2.05, p=0.001) and 1.55 (95% CI: 1.19-2.03, p=0.001), respectively. Besides, the combination regimen can prolong the OS (HR=2.60, 95% CI: 2.25-3.02, p<0.00001) and PFS (HR=4.90, 95% CI: 1.94-12.38, p=0.0008). However, the incidence of treatment-related AEs was relatively high (77%), with 29% for grade 3 AEs. The most common AEs observed were pain (47%), fever (46%), hepatic function abnormalities (44%), hypoalbuminemia (39%), and hypertension (37%). The combination treatment did not increase the incidence of AEs compared to the control group, except for the hand-foot skin reaction (RR=0.85, 0.74-0.97, p=0.01), hepatic encephalopathy (RR=4.29, 2.51-7.35, p<0.00001) and nausea (RR=1.35, 1.13-1.61, p=0.001). Combination therapy of TACE plus camrelizumab has shown notable clinical benefits, improved survival, and a manageable safety profile in patients with HCC, but it is essential to monitor and manage the specific toxicities, especially for the camrelizumab-related AEs.

The transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with targeted nanoparticle delivering sorafenib system for the treatment of microvascular invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma

ABSTRACT to explore the value of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with targeted nanoparticle delivery system for sorafenib (SFB) to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with microvascular invasion. 42 HCC patients with microvascular invasion after liver cancer surgery were selected from our hospital from December 2020 and February 2021. Patients were divided into experimental group and control group based on their willingness. Patients in experimental group (18 cases) were treated with combination therapy of TACE and Ab-SFB-NP system; while patients in control group (24 cases) took TACE and non-nano drug delivery system. There was no obvious difference in liver function and blood test results between two groups of patients before treatment and one month after treatment (P > 0.05). Three months after treatment, differences of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were statistically significant (P < 0.05); while differences of other test results were not (P > 0.05). The disease control rate (DCR) of patients in experimental group was higher slightly (P > 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions of patients in experimental group was lower than the control group and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). After three months of TACE, the DCR in the experimental group was significantly higher compared to control group. The toxic reactions of taking SFB with Ab-SFB-NP nano-drug delivery system mainly included hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, and bleeding, the toxic reactions were mainly at level 1 ~ 2. After symptomatic treatment, the toxicity was effectively controlled, so the security was high.

Therapeutic effectiveness and safety of sintilimab-dominated triple therapy in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has shown promising results in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of sintilimab, a programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) blockade, combined with sorafenib and transhepatic arterial chemotherapy and embolization in this patient population, compared with sintilimab monotherapy and sintilimab-sorafenib duotherapy. This was a 22 months single center retrospective cohort study in China. 80 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma were included, with diagnosis confirmed by either histologic, cytologic or diagnostic imaging analysis. The patients were divided into three groups based on therapeutic regimen: sintilimab monotherapy (sintilimab group, n = 22), sintilimab-sorafenib duotherapy (duplex group, n = 23), sintilimab-sorafenib and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined therapy (triple group, n = 35). The principal evaluation criteria were overall survival and progression free survival in the population, assessed according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1). Secondary evaluation criteria were safety, objective response rate and disease control rate. From March 1st, 2019 to December 31, 2020, 80 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma were included and divided into three treatment groups (22 received sintilimab monotherapy, 23 received sintilimab-sorafenib duotherapy, and 35 received sintilimab-sorafenib combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization). The median overall survival of all patients was 11.0 months (95% CI 7.7–14.3). Median overall survival was 13.0 months (95% CI NE–NE), 9.0 months(95% CI 6.3–11.7)and 3.0 months (95% CI 1.9–4.1, p < 0.0001) in the triple therapy, duplex and sintilimab groups respectively, while the corresponding median progression-free survival were 5.0 months (95% CI 2.9–7.1, p < 0.001), 4.0 months (95% CI 2.8–5.2) and 2.0 months (95% CI 1.7–2.3). Disease control and clinical benefits rates were higher in the triple therapy group (80%, 95% CI 63.1–91.6, p < 0.001; 54.3%, 95% CI 36.6–71.2, p < 0.01) compared to the sintilimab group. Median duration of disease control was 4.0 months (95% CI NE–NE, p < 0.01) in the triple therapy group, longer than that of the duplex group (2.0 months, 95% CI 0.9–3.1) and sintilimab group (2.0 months, 95% CI 0.8–3.2). Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 26.3% of 80 patients with hypertension was the most common event observed (38, 47.5%), however, other severe toxic effects were infrequent. Sintilimab combined with sorafenib and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization might have more beneficial effects on overall and progression-free survival and on the duration of disease control outcomes than both sintilimab monotherapy and sintilimab-sorafenib duotherapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. This triple therapy model might represent an innovative and effective option for inoperable liver cancer.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Combined with Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE) for Patients with Medium-to-Large Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis of Long-Term Outcome.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with tumor size ranging from 3.0 to 10.0 cm.Material/MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data on 201 patients with medium-to-large HCC. According to treatment procedure, the patients were divided into the TACE group (n=124) and the TACE+RFA group (n=77). We recorded data on patient safety, subcapsular hepatic hematoma, large amount of ascites, liver abscess, gallbladder injury, and local skin infection. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in the 2 groups were analyzed and compared between groups.ResultsThe median PFS was 4.00 months (3.00–5.00 months) in the TACE group and 9.13 months (6.64–11.62 months) in the TACE+RFA group (P<0.001). Median OS was 12.00 months (8.88–15.13 months) in the TACE group and 27.57 months (20.06–35.08 months) in the TACE+RFA group (P<0.001). In the TACE+RFA group, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that tumor size ≤5 cm) (HR: 1.952, 95% CI: 1.213–3.143, P=0.006), hepatitis B (HR: 2.323, 95% CI: 1.096–4.923, P=0.028), TACE times (1 or >1) (HR: 1.867, 95% CI: 1.156–3.013, P=0.011), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level >200 ng/ml (HR: 2.426, 95% CI: 1.533–3.839, P<0.001), and AST level >40 U/L (HR: 1.946, 95% CI: 1.196–3.166, P=0.007) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.ConclusionsCombination therapy of TACE with RFA is a safe and effective treatment for patients with medium-to-large HCC, with the long-term beneficial effect of retarding tumor progression and improving PFS and OS.

Randomized, open label, multicenter, phase II trial of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy in combination with sorafenib as compared with TACE alone in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: TACTICS trial.

4017Background: There is no proven evidence that combination therapy of TACE with sorafenib (TS group) prolong progression-free survival (PFS) and/or overall survival (OS) compared to TACE alone (T group) in patients with unresectable HCC. Methods: In this randomized, open label, multicenter, comparative trial (NCT01217034), patients with unresectable HCC, Child-Pugh score ≤7, ECOG performance status 0-1, no vascular invasion (VI), no extrahepatic spread (EHS), size≤10 cm and number≤10 and adequate organ function were randomized 1:1 (stratification by institution, Milan criteria in or out, and number of previous TACE 0 or 1-2) to T or TS. In TS group, sorafenib 400 mg once daily was pretreated for 2-3 weeks prior to TACE followed by 800mg once daily during on-demand conventional TACE sessions until the time to unTACEable progression (TTUP), which was defined as the time to the date of a state when TACE continuation is not possible due to untreatable tumor progression, deterioration to Child-Pugh C or appe...

Combination therapy of TACE and CT-guided partial hepatic segment ablation for liver cancer

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of combination therapy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and CT-guided percutaneous partial hepatic segment ablation.Material and methods: Liver cancer patients undergoing TACE plus partial segment ablation from 2012 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics were collected. TACE was performed for all patients before ablation. After ablation, CT imagings were used to evaluate treatment and follow-up. Overall survival (OS) and local tumor progression free survival (LTPFS) were calculated.Results: Twenty-three patients with 68 liver tumors were included. The median tumor maximum diameter was 55 mm (range, 24 to 91 mm). The complete response rate of combination therapy was 87%. The one-, two-, three- and four-year overall survival rates were 78%, 65%, 54% and 54%, respectively. The three-year survival rate for BCLC stage C HCC patients was 53%. The one-, two- and three-year LTPFS rates were 54%, 35% and 35%, respectively. Tumor maximum diameter, vascular invasion and partial treatment response were independent risk factors for LTPFS. Only one patient suffered a major complication.Conclusion: TACE combined with partial hepatic segment thermal ablation is a safe and effective treatment for liver cancer patients, especially for those with more advanced disease.

Endovascular implantation of iodine-125 seeds strand and portal vein stenting followed by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined therapy with sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma with main portal vein tumor thrombus

To compare the therapeutic effect of portal vein stenting and endovascular implantation of iodine-125 seeds strand followed by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with or without sorafenib in patients for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with main portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVTT). A total of 53 patients with HCC complicated by MPVTT who received portal vein stenting and endovascular implantation of iodine-125 seeds strand followed by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined without (group A, n=38) or with (group B, n=15) sorafenib in Affiliated Yancheng Hospital of Southeast University Medical College during January 2010 and August 2015 were analyzed retropectively.Overal survival, progress free survival and procedure-related adverse event were compared between the two groups. The technical success rate was 100% for placement of (125)I seeds strand and stent in the obstructed main portal vein.No serious procedure-related adverse events occurred. Median survival time of group A and B were 12.1 and 14.8 months, respectively (P=0.037). Additionally, Median progress free survival time of group A and B were 2.8 and 4.0 months, respectively (P=0.002). Endovascular implantation of iodine-125 seeds strand and portal vein stenting followed by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with sorafenib could improve the survival time, the progress free survival time of patients with HCC complicated by MPVTT.

Comparative Efficacy of Interventional Therapies for Early-stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A PRISMA-compliant Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

There are several interventional therapies that improve the prognosis and increase the survival rate of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (early-stage HCC), but it is uncertain about whether one is superior to others, and available researches investigating the comparative effects of different treatments are limited. The main objective of this Bayesian network meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy of these different treatment strategies for early-stage HCC and rank these interventions for practical consideration.We performed an electronic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, and extracted data from randomized controlled trials that compared different interventional therapies for early-stage HCC. Direct comparison and network meta-analyses were conducted with Aggregate Data Drug Information System software. Consistency models were created to determine whether there was a significant difference between any 2 therapies, and cumulative probability was used to rank different treatments.Twenty-one randomized controlled trials involving 2691 patients were included. In our network meta-analysis, the combination therapy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was associated with better 1-year survival rate, as compared with hepatic resection alone (P < 0.05, odds ratio [OR] 0.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06–0.83), percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) alone (P < 0.05, OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03–0.45), and RFA alone (P < 0.05, OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07–0.70). TACE + RFA had a higher 3-year survival rate than PEI alone (P < 0.05, OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.15–0.72) and RFA alone (P < 0.05, OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.24–0.87). And there was a statistical difference between RFA + PEI and PEI alone (P < 0.05, OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12–0.93) for 3-year survival rate. The results of rank test and cumulative probability showed that TACE + RFA ranked highest on the evaluation of 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rate.Based on Bayesian network meta-analysis combining direct and indirect comparisons, the combination therapy of TACE and RFA seemed to be the most effective strategy for early-stage HCC.

Comparative study of portal vein stent and TACE combined therapy with or without endovascular implantation of iodine-125 seeds strand for treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and main portal vein tumor thrombus

To compare the efficacies of portal vein stenting and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined therapy performed with or without endovascular implantation of iodine-125 (125I) seeds strand in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and main portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVTT). One-hundred-and-six patients with HCC complicated by MPVTT who were treated with portal vein stents and TACE, either with (Group A, n=56) or without (Group B, n=50) endovascular implantation of 125I seeds strand, between July 2005 and April 2011, were retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival, stent patency, and procedure-related adverse events were compared between the two groups. The technical success rate was 100% for placement of 125I seeds strands and stents in the obstructed main portal vein. No serious procedure-related adverse events were recorded. Group A had significantly higher median survival (335 days vs. group B: 146 days; P=0.001, hazard ratio (HR)=2.244). Additionally, group A had significantly higher median stent patency (400 days vs. group B: 190 days; P=0.005, HR=2.479). The combination therapeutic strategy of portal vein stenting and TACE with endovascular implantation of 125I seeds strands improves the survival of HCC patients with MPVTT complication.