Drug-eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization Research Articles

Transarterial Chemoembolization Followed by Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy Combined a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor for Treatment of Large Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Evaluate the efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) sequential with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for unresectable large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with HCC size > 70 mm were included. They received 1-3 cycles of TACE and sequential HAIC every 3-6 weeks for 2-6 cycles, with each cycle given over a period of 48 hours (oxaliplatin plus fluorouracil/leucovorin). Patients also received sorafenib or lenvatinib beginning at the first TACE cycle and continuing until disease progression. Objective response rate (ORR) at 3 months was the primary endpoint. Progression-free survival (PFS) and safety were the secondary endpoints. From January 2020 to December 2020, 41 patients were included, who were divided into the drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE) group (n=13) and conventional TACE (cTACE) group (n=28). The overall ORR was 56.1% (23/41) using mRECIST criteria and 34.1% (14/41) using RECIST1.1 criteria. The median PFS of the cohort was 8 months. The ORR of the DEB-TACE group was 76.9% (10/13) vs. 46.4% (13/28) for the cTACE group (p = 0.06). The median PFS of the DEBTACE group was 12 months, and 6 months in the cTACE group (p = 0.09). Conversion hepatectomy was performed in 2 patients in the DEB-TACE group (15.4%), and in 3 patients in the cTACE group (10.7%). ALT/AST elevated, hypertension, nausea, and vomiting were the common treatment related adverse events. There was no treatment related death. TACE sequential with HAIC combined a TKI is a well-tolerated and promising tripletherapy for large, unresectable HCC.

Efficacy and safety of CalliSpheres® microspheres drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization in GCLM combined trans-arterial infusion therapy for treating primary focus of gastric cancer: a multi-center retrospective study

ABSTRACT Background The purpose of this study was to observe the safety and efficacy of CalliSpheres microspheres drug-eluting beads (DEB) transhepatic arterial chemoembolization (CSM-TACE) for liver metastasis of gastric cancer (GCLM) combined with trans-arterial infusion therapy (TAIT) as the primary focus of gastric cancer. Research design and methods Unresectable advanced GCLM patients were collected for retrospective analysis. Patients who progressed after chemotherapy or could not receive systematic chemotherapy were selected. CSM-TACE was used for GCLM treatment and oxaliplatin for TAIT of primary focus of gastric cancer. Adverse reactions, tumor reactions, survival rate, and survival time during treatment were recorded, and prognostic factors were analyzed. Results Forty-three patients from four oncology centers met inclusion criteria and were enrolled. CSM-TACE averaged (1.51 ± 0.51) times and TAIT averaged (4.58 ± 1.65) times. The follow-up time was 2.5–49 months, and the 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year survival rates were 86.0%, 72.1%, and 41.9%, respectively, with a median overall survival of 11.5 months. The adverse reactions during treatment were grade 1–3. The hazard ratio (HR) of combination therapy was 0.51 (P = 0.040), and the HR of TAIT frequency was 0.34 (P = 0.002), which were independent protective factors affecting prognosis. Conclusions CSM-TAC for GCLM combined with TAIT for primary focus of gastric cancer is safe and efficacious, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Safety, efficacy, and survival of drug-eluting beads-transarterial chemoembolization vs. conventional-transarterial chemoembolization in advanced HCC patients with main portal vein tumor thrombus

ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy, overall survival (OS) and safety of drug-eluting beads-TACE (DEB-TACE) and C-TACE as initial treatment in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with main portal vein tumor thrombus (mPVTT).MethodsThe medical records of consecutive advanced HCC patients with mPVTT who underwent initial DEB-TACE or C-TACE from September 2015 to October 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. Treatment crossover was allowed in this retrospective research. The adverse events, disease control rate (DCR), time to tumor progression (TTP) and OS of patients who underwent DEB-TACE were compared with those of patients who underwent C-TACE.ResultsEighty-three patients were included: 42 patients in DEB-TACE group and 41 patients in C-TACE group. DEB-TACE could be safely performed in HCC patients with mPVTT, and they gained a better DCR than those submitted to the C-TACE (76.2% vs. 53.7%, P = 0.031), which might have resulted in longer TTP (median TTP: 9.0 months vs. 3.0 months, P < 0.001). Furthermore, DEB-TACE showed significant OS benefits compared with C-TACE (median OS: 12.0 months vs. 5.0 months, P < 0.001). DEB-TACE, absence of arterioportal shunts (APS), leisons with capsular non-infiltration were found to be independent prognostic factors for better OS. Furthermore, subgroup analysis proved that patients with good DCR gained longer OS in DEB-TACE group.ConclusionsDEB-TACE could be safely performed and improve the DCR of HCC patients with mPVTT, which resulting in longer TTP and OS, compared with C-TACE.

Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization (cTACE) and Drug-Eluting Bead (DEB)-TACE in the Management of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is considered the preferred loco-regional treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) not amenable to resection due to its distinctive blend of precise drug administration, localized tumor management, and reduced systemic adverse effects, setting it apart from the plethora of alternative treatments available. There is an ongoing debate regarding the optimal choice for managing HCC using TACE, particularly between its two major types: conventional TACE (cTACE) and drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE). The medical community remains divided on which approach offers superior safety and efficacy, with conflicting evidence and varied outcomes adding to the complexity of this nuanced decision. Given the lack of consensus surrounding the preferred TACE technique in treatment-naive patients for HCC, we conducted a rigorous systematic review to assess and contrast the relative safety and efficacy of cTACE versus DEB-TACE in patients diagnosed with HCC who did not receive any prior treatment for HCC. Our study aimed to provide much-needed clarity on this controversial topic, shedding light on thetwo approaches' comparative safety and efficacy to inform clinical decision-making. After a comprehensive search of databases and search enginesand through a methodical screening process, including standardized quality assessmentsand relevant filterapplication based on our eligibility criteria, we identified 10 articles pertinent to our research query comprising two randomized controlled trials, one meta-analysis, and seven observational studies. The collective sample size of the studies was 5,288 patients with HCC, of which 2,959 were in the cTACE armand 2,324 were in the DEB-TACE arm.

CT-based radiomics nomogram for prediction of survival after transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus.

To develop and validate a CT-based radiomics model for the prediction of the overall survival (OS) of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) treated with drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE). Patients were retrospectively enrolled from two institutions for the constitution of training (n = 69) and validation (n = 31) cohorts with a median follow-up of 15months. A total of 396 radiomics features were extracted from each baseline CT image. Features selected by variable importance and minimal depth were used for random survival forest model construction. The performance of the model was assessed using the concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, integrated discrimination index (IDI), net reclassification index (NRI), and decision curve analysis. Type of PVTT and tumor number were proved to be significant clinical indicators for OS. Arterial phase images were used to extract radiomics features. Three radiomics features were selected for model construction. The C-index for the radiomics model was 0.759 in the training cohort and 0.730 in the validation cohort. To improve the predictive performance, clinical indicators were integrated into the radiomics model to form a combined model with a C-index of 0.814 in the training cohort and 0.792 in the validation cohort. The IDI was significant in both cohorts for the combined model versus the radiomics model in predicting 12-month OS. Type of PVTT and tumor number affected the OS of HCC patients with PVTT treated with DEB-TACE. Moreover, the combined clinical-radiomics model had a satisfactory performance. A CT-based radiomics nomogram, which consisted of 3 radiomics features and 2 clinical indicators, was recommended to predict 12-month overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus initially treated with drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization. • Type of portal vein tumor thrombus and tumor number were significant predictors of the OS. • Integrated discrimination index and net reclassification index provided a quantitative evaluation of the incremental impact added by new indicators for the radiomics model. • A nomogram based on a radiomics signature and clinical indicators showed satisfactory performance in predicting OS after DEB-TACE.

Idarubicin versus epirubicin in drug-eluting beads-transarterial chemoembolization for treating hepatocellular carcinoma: A real-world retrospective study.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of idarubicin-loaded drug-eluting beads-transarterial chemoembolization (IDA-TACE) and epirubicin-loaded drug-eluting beads-TACE (EPI-TACE) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All patients with HCC treated with TACE in our hospital between June 2020 and January 2022 were screened. The included patients were divided into the IDA-TACE group and EPI-TACE group to compare overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), objective response rate (ORR), and adverse events. There were 55 patients each in the IDA-TACE and EPI-TACE groups. Compared with the EPI-TACE group, the median TTP in the IDA-TACE group was not significantly different (10.50 vs. 9.23months; HR 0.68; 95% CI 0.40-1.16; P = 0.154), whereas the survival status in the IDA-TACE group tended to be better (neither achieved; HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.22-1.02; P = 0.055). Based on the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system for subgroup analysis, considering stage C patients, the IDA-TACE group performed significantly better in terms of ORR (77.1% vs. 54.3%, P = 0.044), median TTP (10.93 vs. 5.20months; HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.24-0.89; P = 0.021), and median OS (not achieved vs. 17.80months; HR 0.41; 95% CI 0.18-0.93; P = 0.033). Considering stage B patients, there were no significant differences between the IDA-TACE and EPI-TACE groups in terms of ORR (80.0% vs. 80.0%, P = 1.000), median TTP (10.20 vs. 11.2months; HR 1.41; 95% CI 0.54-3.65; P = 0.483), or median OS (neither achieved, HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.04-5.24; P = 0.543). Notably, leukopenia was more common in the IDA-TACE group (20.0%, P = 0.052), and fever was more common in the EPI-TACE group (49.1%, P = 0.010). IDA-TACE was more effective than EPI-TACE in treating advanced-stage HCC and comparable in treating intermediate-stage HCC.

Comparison of the Treatment Response of Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization and Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common primary hepatic cancer. Its early diagnosis can aid in its treatment by curative means such as surgery or ablation. Advanced-stage diagnosis limits these treatment options, and such cases can be treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) and drug-eluting beadtransarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) are usually used, and follow-up response is evaluated using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria. This study was done to compare the treatment response of cTACE and DEB-TACE in patients with HCC. Materials and methods A retrospective review of electronic medical records of all patients diagnosed with HCC from January 2021 to August 2022 who underwent cTACE or DEB-TACE was undertaken at the Department of Interventional Radiology, Indus Hospital and Health Network. Both male and female patients aged 18 years or above with Child-Pugh class A and B were included. DEB-TACE or cTACE was performed by a fellowship-trained interventional radiologist, and the response was evaluated at six weeks follow-up using mRECIST criteria. Results A total of 129 patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 54.1 ± 10.8 years. The mean size of HCC was 3.1 ± 1.7 cm. Seventy-eight (60.5%) patients underwent cTACE, and 51 (39.5%) underwent DEB-TACE. Out of the 78patients who underwent cTACE, complete response (CR) was found in 28 (35.9%), partial response (PR)was found in 33 (42.3%), stable disease (SD) was found in 12 (15.4%), and progressive disease (PD) was found in five (6.4%) patients. Of the 51 patients who underwentDEB-TACE, CR was found in 13 (25.5%), PR was found in 20 (39.2%), SD was found in 11 (21.6%), and PD was found in seven (13.7%) patients. Conclusion The response rate of TACE in the form of complete or partial response was higher with a lower frequency of stable or progressive disease. cTACE has a high response rate as compared to DEB-TACE.

Safety and Efficacy of Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Lenvatinib and Anti-PD-1 Antibodies for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis.

Drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) has good efficacy in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC), with a relatively high objective response rate (ORR) compared to conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and medium-term clinical efficacy of DEB-TACE combined with lenvatinib (LEN) plus PD-1 inhibitors as a triple therapy for the treatment of uHCC. Data of patients with uHCC who received triple therapy of DEB-TACE combined with LEN plus PD-1 inhibitors from January 2019 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The study endpoints were ORR, progression-free survival (PFS), and treatment-related adverse events based on the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Thirty-five patients were included in this study, with a median follow-up period of 15 months. The median cycle of DEB-TACE was 1, while that of all forms of TACE procedures per patient was 2. The median administration time of LEN was 7 months, and the median number of PD-1 inhibitor treatment was 4 cycles. The ORR based on mRECIST was 82.9%, disease control rate was 91.4%, and the median time to response was 7 weeks. Among these, the ORR of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A reached 100%, while that of BCLC stages B and C reached 84.6% and 78.9%, respectively. The median PFS was 9 months; the mOS was not reached. Fourteen patients (40%) successfully underwent downstaging conversion and surgical resection, 32 patients (91.4%) experienced treatment-related adverse events, and no grade 5-related adverse reactions occurred. DEB-TACE combined with LEN and PD-1 inhibitors has a high ORR and surgical conversion rate in the treatment of uHCC tumors, and the toxicity and side effects were tolerable.

Efficacy and safety of irinotecan-eluting HepaSphere transarterial chemoembolization combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for unresectable colorectal liver metastases.

3585 Background: Both drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) are recommended for unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) treatment. However, the combined application of DEB-TACE and HAIC is not widely accepted. The aim of this single-center retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Irinotecan-eluting HepaSphere chemoembolization combined with HAIC for unresectable CRLM. Methods: Patients with age older than 18 years, histologically confirmed CRLM and treated with Irinotecan-eluting HepaSphere chemoembolization plus HAIC from Oct 2020 to Jan 2022 were enrolled. Patients who had synchronously received other local treatments were excluded. Hepatic progression-free survival (hPFS) and PFS were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Adverse events (AE) were evaluated with CTCAE 5.0. Results: The eligible population was 101, composed of 66 males and 35 females. Among them, 54% patients had one of KRAS or NRAS or BRAF gene mutation and ECOG of 62% patients was 1. In addition, 59% patients were refractory to second standard line or above systemic therapy and mean interventional treatment cycles were 3.3. As the follow-up cutoff date was Dec 31, 2022, median duration of follow-up was 17.9 months (95% CI,16.185-19.615). Median hPFS was 8.7 months (95% CI, 6.744-10.658) while median PFS was 6.2 months (95% CI, 5.048-7.352). For the patients who were refractory to second line or above systemic therapy, hPFS and PFS was 6.2 months (95% CI, 4.899-7.501) and 5.2 months (95% CI, 3.682-6.718) respectively. Overall survival has not been reached yet. There were 7 patients achieved clinical complete response. Overall response rate was 41.6% and disease control rate was 82.2%. There was no treatment-related death. 28 patients (27.7%) experienced grade 3 or higher toxicities. The most common treatment related AE were aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase elevation (41.6%) and bilirubin elevation (40.6%). The hematologic AE included anemia (27.7%), leukopenia (27.7%), neutropenia (14.9%) and thrombocytopenia (28.7%). Conclusions: The combination of Irinotecan-eluting HepaSphere chemoembolization and HAIC is effective and safe for unresectable CRCLM, even for patients who are refractory to second or above systemic therapy, indicating it is a promising regional treatment with improved outcome.

Efficacy and safety of HepaSphere drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

4122 Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely applied and shows good efficacy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has also gained popularity in the treatment of HCC. Several studies have described the comparison between HAIC and TACE or TACE combined with HAIC. However, the evaluation between TACE plus HAIC and HAIC is rarely reported. Here, we observed the performance of HepaSphere DEB-TACE combined with HAIC (Hepa-HAIC) comparing to HAIC in patients with advanced HCC. Methods: 167 patients diagnosed as advanced HCC and treated in Peking University Cancer Hospital from May 2018 to May 2022 were enrolled in this retrospective study, composed of 74 patients received HepaSphere DEB-TACE combined with HAIC-FOLFOX (Hepa-HAIC) and 93 patients received HAIC-FOLFOX. More than 60% patients experienced other treatments before the enrollment. To avoid the selection bias, propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted and applied for the efficacy and safety analysis between these two cohorts. The primary endpoints are progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS); the secondary endpoint includes objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and safety. Results: Propensity-matching yielded 48 pairs and the baselines were almost equal in Hepa-HAIC and HAIC cohorts after matching. Median PFS and median OS were both higher in matched Hepa-HAIC cohort (median PFS:8.9 vs. 5.8 months, P=0.035; median OS:22.4 vs. 9.5 months, P=0.027), which were consistent with pre-matching analysis. The ORR in Hepa-HAIC and HAIC cohorts was 75.0% and 37.5%, respectively; DCR was 93.8% after Hepa-HAIC and 81.3% after HAIC. There was no treatment-related death. Serious adverse events were similar in these two groups, except alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and vomiting. There was more frequency of Grade 3–4 ALT elevation in Hepa-HAIC (33.3% vs. 8.3%, P=0.003) while more incidence of vomiting in HAIC group (29.2% vs. 12.5%, P=0.044). Conclusions: All of the observed PFS, OS, ORR and DCR in Hepa-HAIC group are superior to HAIC group, which indicates the combination of HepaSphere DEB-TACE and HAIC may lead to improved outcomes with comparable safety profile in advanced HCC. [Table: see text]

Efficacy and Safety of Drug-Eluting Bead TACE in the Treatment of Primary or Secondary Liver Cancer.

The drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) has already been used in hepatic malignancies. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DEB-TACE in treating primary or secondary liver cancer. We retrospectively evaluated 59 patients with hepatic malignancies, including 41 patients with primary liver cancer and 18 patients with secondary liver cancer, between September 2016 and February 2019. All patients were treated with DEB-TACE. Objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were evaluated by mRECIST. The pain was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS) where 0 represented no pain, and a score of ten was unbearable. Adverse reactions were assessed according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4.0 (CTCAE4.0). In the subgroup of primary liver cancer, 3 patients (7.32%) got complete response, 13 patients (31.71%) got partial response, 21 patients (51.22%) experienced stable disease, and 4 patients (9.76%) suffered progressive disease; ORR was 39.02% and DCR was 90.24%. In the subgroup of secondary liver cancer, 0 patients (0%) got complete response, 6 patients (33.33%) got partial response, 11 patients (61.11%) experienced stable disease, and 1 patient (5.56%) suffered progressive disease; ORR was 33.33% and DCR was 94.44%. We did not find any difference when comparing the efficacy between primary and secondary liver cancer (P=0.612). The one-year survival rate was 70.73% for primary liver cancer and 61.11% for secondary liver cancer. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.52). For the patients with CR or PR, no factor could predict the efficacy of DEB-TACE. The most common treatment-related adverse reactions were short-term liver function disorders. The symptoms included fever (20.34%), abdomen pain (16.95%), and vomiting (5.08%), all patients with adverse reactions got remission after treatment. DEB-TACE has a promising effect in the treatment of primary or secondary liver cancer. The treatment-related adverse reactions are tolerable.

Clinical Outcomes of DEB-TACE in Hepatic Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: A 5-Year Single-Institutional Experience

To evaluate single-institution outcomes of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in the treatment of locally advanced neuroendocrine tumor (NET) hepatic metastases with a focus on safety and efficacy of treatment. A single-center retrospective cohort study of the outcomes of consecutive patients with NELM who underwent DEB-TACE between 2014 and 2019 was performed. Clinicopathologic characteristics, radiologic response (modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) at 1-month follow-up, adverse events, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival were calculated. Among 287 patients (mean age of 62 years; 39% male: 61% female), disease burden was bilobar (90.2%) with mean largest tumor diameter measuring 4.9±2.8cm. Of these patients, 14.6% had no evidence of tumor in other organs or lymph nodes. Complete response occurred in 60 (20.9%) patients while 133 (46.3%) had partial responses. Major complication occurred in 2.4%. Liver function tests including total bilirubin and AST were overall stable at the 1-month follow-up, with only a small increase in the ALT at +8.9% (p<0.01). Overall survival was 80.1% at 1 year, 49.1% at 3 years, and 12.3% at 5 years with a mean PFS of 14.4±12.5months. Based on this institutional experience, DEB-TACE is an acceptable locoregional therapy choice for hepatic metastases of NET due to its tolerable safety profile and relative efficacy.

Correlation between magnetic resonance images of peritumor margin enhancement and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma after drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

The aim of this study is to investigate the morphological characteristics and clinical significance of magnetic resonance (MR) images of peritumor margin enhancement in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE). From January 2017 to December 2020, a total of 162 patients who received a diagnosis of HCC were included in our study. We began the follow-up with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for complete response assessment, and peritumor margin enhancements were classified as sharp and rough types according to morphology. During the follow-up, data such as progression or remission of the two enhancement modalities, morphological changes in terms of margin enhancements observed in MR images, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were recorded. In the follow-up period of 36 months, 70 and 92 patients with sharp- and rough-type peritumor margins, respectively, were observed. At the end of the follow-up, patients with sharp-type margins had lower AFP levels and longer progression-free survival than those with rough-type margins (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the sharp-type margin was thinner than the rough-type margin (all P < 0.05). Moreover, the sharp-type group had a high incidence of tumors with a diameter of < 5cm, whereas the rough-type group had a high incidence of tumors with a diameter of ≥ 5cm. Continuous enhancements of peritumor margins in MRI were greater in the sharp-type group than in the rough-type group. Most of the patients with a sharp-type margin achieved disease remission (94.3%, P < 0.05), whereas most of those with a rough-type margin experienced disease progression (84.8%, P < 0.05). Patients with HCC with a sharp-type margin enhancement on MRI after DEB-TACE mostly demonstrated benign lesions with a good prognosis, whereas those with a rough-type margin mostly demonstrated malignant growth.

D-dimer for assessment of treatment response, and survival to drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma.

D-dimer exhibits a certain prognostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who underwent hepatectomy and microwave ablation, while its value in estimating the clinical benefit of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) remains unclear. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the correlation of D-dimer with tumor features, response and survival to DEB-TACE in HCC patients. Fifty-one HCC patients treated with DEB-TACE were recruited. Their serum samples at baseline and after DEB-TACE were collected and proposed for D-dimer detection by the immunoturbidimetry method. Elevated D-dimer levels were related to a higher Child‒Pugh stage (P=0.013), tumor nodule number (P=0.031), largest tumor size (P=0.004), and portal vein invasion (P=0.050) in HCC patients. Then, patients were classified by the median value of D-dimer, and it was observed that patients with D-dimer >0.7mg/L achieved a lower complete response rate (12.0% vs. 46.2%, P=0.007) but a similar objective response rate (84.0% vs. 84.6%, P=1.000) compared to those with D-dimer ≤0.7mg/L. The Kaplan‒Meier curve showed that D-dimer >0.7mg/L (vs. ≤0.7mg/L) was related to shorter overall survival (OS) (P=0.013). Further univariate Cox regression analyses showed that D-dimer >0.7mg/L (vs. ≤0.7mg/L) was related to unfavorable OS [hazard ratio (HR): 5.524, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.209-25.229, P=0.027], but it failed to independently estimate OS (HR: 10.303, 95%CI: 0.640-165.831, P=0.100) in multivariate Cox regression analyses. Moreover, D-dimer was elevated during DEB-TACE therapy (P<0.001). D-dimer may be helpful for monitoring prognosis to DEB-TACE therapy in HCC, while further large-scale-study validation is warranted.

Hepatogastric fistula formation after liver chemoembolization in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 75% to 95% of all cases of primary liver cancer. The number of cases of newly diagnosed hepatocellular cancer (HCC) in the Russian Federation in 2019 accounted to 9324. Currently, the method of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely used for the treatment of patients with malignant liver tumors. Various methods of transarterial embolization of the liver are used, including selective or superselective catheterization and the use of various chemotherapeutic and embolizing agents. In recent years, calibrated synthetic microspheres loaded with a chemotherapeutic agent have been developed. They ensure uniform and prolonged release of the drug and the achievement of high concentrations of the chemotherapeutic agent in tumor cells. The method of transarterial embolization of the liver using grains containing the drug is known as DEB‑TACE (Drug‑eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization). The traditional TACE (conventional transarterial chemoembolization), technique is also widely used, in which a chemotherapeutic drug is administered together with lipiodol, and then with occlusive material. When comparing the techniques, no differences were found in their safety profiles. Despite the fact that transarterial embolization of the liver is considered a safe procedure, it is not without the risk of complications, the most common of which are acute cholecystitis and leukopenia. Also, a frequent undesirable phenomenon after transarterial chemoembolization of the liver is postembolization syndrome, which includes abdominal pain, hyperthermia up to 38 ° C and nausea. One of the rare complications occurring in less than 1% of cases is a complication of liver TACE – the development of a liver abscess against the background of tumor necrosis. It is believed that the formation of an abscess can lead to the formation of fistulas: hepaticobronchial, hepaticoduodenal, hepaticogastric, etc. Our article presents a rare clinical case of hepatogastric fistula formation after liver TACE.

Abstract No. 515 Prediction of Therapeutic Response of Hepatocellular Carcinoma to CalliSpheres Drug-Eluting Bead Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Based on Pretherapeutic Dynamic CT and Textural Findings

Abstract No. 515 Prediction of Therapeutic Response of Hepatocellular Carcinoma to CalliSpheres Drug-Eluting Bead Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Based on Pretherapeutic Dynamic CT and Textural Findings

Preliminary outcomes of DEB-TACE loaded with raltitrexed in the treatment of unresectable or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

PurposeRaltitrexed shows therapeutic effects and safety in many types of malignant tumors. However, reports of the clinical outcomes of raltitrexed-based transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or drug-eluting beads TACE (DEB-TACE) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are rare. We aim to report the preliminary outcomes of DEB-TACE loaded with raltitrexed in patients with unresectable or recurrent HCC.MethodsFrom June 2018 to March 2020, 29 patients with unresectable or recurrent HCC were recruited from our department and treated by DEB-TACE loaded with raltitrexed. Overall survival and progression-free survival were the primary end points. Tumor response was investigated by using the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST) criteria.ResultsA total of 49 sessions of DEB-TACE were performed, with a technique success rate of 100%. The overall response rate and disease control rate at 1, 3, and 6 months after DEB-TACE were 72.0% and 96.0%, 57.1% and 85.7%, 47.6% and 66.7% respectively. The median progression-free survival and overall survival was 25.7 and 33.9 months, respectively. The 6-, 24- and 36-month overall survival rates were 88.4%, 66.3% and 46.3%, respectively. Minor complications were observed in 17 patients (58.6%), with no treatment-related mortality or severe adverse events. The most common treatment-related complications were abdominal pain (41.4%) and elevated ALT/AST (27.6%).ConclusionDEB-TACE loaded with raltitrexed is suggested as a safe, feasible, efficacious palliative regimen in unresectable or recurrent HCC patients.

The impact of drug-eluting bead (vs. conventional) transarterial chemoembolization on hepatic fibrosis in treating intermediate or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

ABSTRACT Objective Limited studies have reported the impact of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) on hepatic fibrosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study evaluated multiple hepatic fibrosis indicators, aiming to comprehensively compare the influence of DEB-TACE and conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) on hepatic fibrosis in treating HCC patients. Methods Intermediate/advanced HCC patients (N = 121) were divided into the DEB-TACE group (n = 62) and the cTACE group (n = 59) based on their chosen treatment. Serum hyaluronic acid (HA), pro-collagen type-III (PC-III), collagen type-IV (IV-C), and laminin (LN) were detected; aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis index based on the four factors (FIB-4) were calculated; liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was assessed by real-time shear wave elastography. Results HA, PC-III, IV-C, and LN at 1 month after the second TACE and at 12 months after the first TACE were all decreased in DEB-TACE group compared with cTACE group (all P < .050). Then, APRI, FIB-4, and LSM were further assessed, which also showed a decreasing trend at aforementioned timepoints in DEB-TACE group compared with cTACE group (all P < .050). Additionally, the multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that DEB-TACE (vs. cTACE) was independently associated with reduced occurrence of severe hepatic fibrosis at 12 months (OR = 0.215, 95%CI: 0.058–0.802, P = .022). Concerning the liver function indexes, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin after treatment were not different between the two groups (all P > .050). Conclusion DEB-TACE displays attenuated hepatic fibrosis progression and noninferior tolerance compared to cTACE in treating intermediate- or advanced-stage HCC patients.

Safety of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization under the combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

556 Background: To analyze the safety of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) under the combination treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: In this retrospective single-institution study, 208 HCC patients (152 male and 56 female; mean age, 64.70±11.46 years) who received DEB-TACE between 2018.Nov and 2021.Dec were enrolled. There were 74.0% patients had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B HCC, 90.4% were Child-pugh A patients, 63.0% patients had albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade 2, and 51.0% patients were up-to-seven out. Among them, 50 patients (24.0%) who received ICI with interval less than 30 days with DEB-TACE were categorized as DEB-ICI group; the remaining 158 patients (76.0%) were categorized as DEB group. ALBI grade before and 90 days after DEB-TACE were recorded to evaluate liver function change. Complications within 90 days after DEB-TACE were considered as TACE-related and were compared between two groups. Results: DEB-ICI group had significant higher incidence rate of liver abscess than DEB group (14.0% versus 5.1%, p=0.0337); other TACE-related complications showed no difference between two groups. There were 23.9% patients in DEB-ICI group had elevated ALBI grade after DEB-TACE, which revealed no difference in comparison with 22.4% in DEB group ( p=0.8460). Univariate analysis confirmed that combination with ICI was an independent risk factor of liver abscess formation after DEB-TACE (odds ratio = 3.0523, 95% confidence interval: 1.0474-8.8947, p=0.0409). Among DEB-ICI group, patients received ICI before DEB-TACE had a trend to have higher risk of liver abscess formation than those who received DEB-TACE before ICI (23.8% versus 6.9%, p-value=0.0922). Conclusions: Combination treatment of ICI with DEB-TACE with interval less than 30 days increased risk of liver abscess formation after DEB-TACE.

Drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization could improve the hepatic hemodynamics of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely used for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, previous studies have demonstrated that conventional TACE (cTACE) might affect hepatic hemodynamics, which both associate with liver cirrhosis and survival. Drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE) improves treatment efficacy and safety, but its effects on the hepatic hemodynamics of HCC patients with cirrhosis remain unknown. This retrospective cohort study included unresectable HCC patients treated with DEB-TACE from April 2018 to September 2020, who had limited tumor burden and liver function. The hepatic hemodynamics was measured by hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) using occlusion balloon catheter before and after treatment. Baseline characteristics of demography, laboratory (tumoral and liver-function) and hepatic hemodynamics were compared between patients with and without clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). Laboratory examination and imaging assessments were performed 4-6 weeks; overall survival (OS) was defined as the time from DEB-TACE initiation until death or last follow-up. Twenty-four eligible consecutive HCC patients were included, with a median age of 58.0 years and 54.2% in Child-Pugh A class. During a median follow-up of 9.8 months, median OS for the whole cohort of patients reached 10.0 months. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression analyses demonstrated that age >60 years, ascites, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score of 1, Child-Pugh B class, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score >10, and albumin (ALB) <35 g/L were prognostic factors for decreased OS (P<0.05). Importantly, hepatic hemodynamics were significantly improved in patients after treatment with DEB-TACE (7.5 vs. 5.3 mmHg of HVPG, P<0.001), especially for those with CSPH (13.6 vs. 10.2 mmHg of HVPG, P=0.014). DEB-TACE can improve hepatic hemodynamics in HCC patients, especially those with CSPH. Combing these findings with its effects on tumor, DEB-TACE might be more suitable for HCC patients with cirrhosis.