Previous Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Research Articles

Efficacy of rechallenge transcatheter arterial chemoembolization after lenvatinib treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

We evaluated the efficacy of rechallenge transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) after lenvatinib (LEN) treatment in patients with previous TACE failure/refractoriness. We enrolled 63 consecutive patients with a history of TACE failure/refractoriness prior to LEN treatment as a first-line systemic therapy. We reviewed the clinical backgrounds and courses of the patients. In total, 25 patients underwent rechallenge TACE after LEN due to LEN-refractoriness (17 cases) or intolerance (8 cases). A complete or partial response was obtained for 13 (65.0%) of the 20 patients whose therapeutic effects were determined. The survival rate of patients who underwent rechallenge TACE was significantly higher than that of patients who did not undergo rechallenge TACE (median survival time, not reached vs 403 days, P=0.015). Rechallenge TACE significantly reduced the risk of death in univariate (hazard ratio [HR] 0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08-0.69, P=0.008) and multivariate analyses (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08-0.80, P=0.019). If complete or partial response was obtained by rechallenge TACE, the median survival time of these patients was significantly longer than those of the progressive disease (PD) group (P=0.05), and the median survival time of the PD group after rechallenge TACE was not different from that of the group who did not undergo rechallenge TACE (P=0.36). We did not observe a decrease in the ALBI score after TACE. Rechallenge TACE after LEN is an effective treatment that may result in a favorable prognosis.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy in combination strategy with lenvatinib in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (TACTICS-L) in Japan: Final analysis.

417 Background: Treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) include surgical resection, percutaneous ablation therapy, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and liver transplantation, etc., and TACE is indicated for unresectable HCC (uHCC) that is not eligible for curative therapy. Combination therapy with TACE and molecular targeted agents has been reported to have higher antitumor efficacy than respective monotherapies. This study aims to evaluate safety and efficacy of combination of TACE and lenvatinib in uHCC patients. Methods: Phase II, prospective, multicenter, single-arm study was conducted in 19 Japanese sites. Lenvatinib was administered orally once daily for 14 to 21 days prior to TACE at a dose of 12 mg (body weight ≥60 kg) or 8 mg (< 60 kg). The first TACE was performed after a 2-day lenvatinib withdrawal period. This combination therapy was repeated until the time to untreatable progression (TTUP). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included TTUP, objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and safety. Results: Between February 2019 and April 2020, 62 patients were enrolled. Median age was 72.0 years (< 65 years, 13 [21.0%]; ≥65 years, 49 [79.0%]). Number of patients with Child-Pugh score 5 and 6 was 51 (82.3%) and 11 (17.7%); Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status 0 and 1 was 59 (95.2%) and 3 (4.8%); and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage A and B was 25 (40.3%) and 37 (59.7%). The number of previous TACE procedures was 0 in 35 patients (56.5%) and 1 to 3 in 27 patients (43.5%). The estimated median PFS, OS, and TTUP were more than 2 years. The ORR was 88.7% (90% CI 79.8 – 94.6 with complete response (CR) rate of 66.1%). Treatment emergent adverse events (AEs) occurred in 98.4% of patients, and the most common AEs were hypothyroidism (58.1%), hypertension (53.2%), decreased appetite (50.0%), and fatigue (48.4%). Grade 3 and 4 AEs occurred in 71.0% and 4.8%, and serious AEs occurred in 40.3%. One death not causally related to the protocol treatment was observed. Conclusions: In this final analysis, the combination of TACE and lenvatinib showed promising therapeutic efficacy in patients with uHCC. No new safety signal was observed. Future phase III studies are required to validate this combination therapy. Clinical trial information: jRCTs031180074.

Risk factors for local recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads (DEB-TACE).

To identify the risk factors for local recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with drug-eluting beads (DEB-TACE). In this retrospective study, 35 patients (27 males, 8 females; median age 73years) with 116 tumors (median size 14mm) treated with DEB-TACE from May 2014 to September 2018 were evaluated. Age, sex, etiology, Child-Pugh class, alpha-fetoprotein, des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin, previous conventional TACE, tumor location, tumor size, tumor number, contact with the liver surface, level of embolization, corona enhancement on CT during hepatic arteriography, vascular lakes, additional embolization with gelatin sponge particles, and supplying vessels on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) after embolization were analyzed. Univariate analysis showed that advanced age, female, large tumor, contact with the liver surface, and residual supplying vessels were significant risk factors for local recurrence (p = 0.012, 0.0013, 0.0023, 0.025, and < 0.001, respectively). On multivariate logistic analysis, large tumor, contact with the liver surface, and residual supplying vessels on DSA were significant risk factors for local recurrence (p = 0.0026, 0.038, and < 0.001, respectively). Large tumor size, contact with the liver surface, and residual supplying vessels on DSA were significant risk factors associated with local recurrence after DEB-TACE for HCC.

Detection of needle tract implantation and peritoneal seeding after radiofrequency ablation using intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence system for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report

BackgroundRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is already fully established worldwide. Needle tract implantation and peritoneal seeding occasionally occur by RFA, and the prognosis of these cases is thought to be poor. In this study, intraoperative real-time near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) system by indocyanine green (ICG) incidentally detected both needle tract implantation and peritoneal seeding. As the utility of this system for identification of implanted and disseminated lesions after RFA for HCC has not been widely reported, we report a case of successful detection by real-time ICG-NIRF imaging and subsequent resection.Case presentationA 76-year-old man originally underwent medial sectionectomy for HCC in 2009. When repeated intrahepatic recurrence occurred, he underwent RFA and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for recurrent HCC twice at segment III and once at segment IV. In 2013, the second hepatectomy for recurrent HCC at segment VIII was performed. In 2016, he had recurrent HCC at segment III around a previous RFA and TACE scar; therefore, left lateral sectionectomy was planned. ICG-NIRF system was used to observe a main intrahepatic metastasis at segment III and to search for other tumors in the remnant liver. Although there was no signal on the surface of the remnant liver, tiny signals were observed in the abdominal wall and greater omentum. These tumors were on the needle tract of the previous RFA; both lesions, therefore, were resected. These tumors were pathologically proven to be HCC metastases. The patient has had no recurrence 14 months after the last hepatectomy.ConclusionsICG-NIRF system might be helpful in the detection of not only intrahepatic lesions but also needle tract implantations or peritoneal seeding. RFA should be avoided in patients with high risk of needle tract implantation and peritoneal seeding.

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...

Predisposing factors of liver necrosis after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumor.

To investigate predictive factors for liver necrosis after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) of neuroendocrine liver metastases. A total of 164 patients receiving 374 TACE were reviewed retrospectively to analyze predictive factors of liver necrosis. We analyzed patient age and sex; metastasis number and location; percentage of liver involvement; baseline liver function test; and pretreatment imaging abnormalities such as bile duct dilatation (BDD), portal vein narrowing (PVN), and portal vein thrombosis (PVT). We analyzed TACE technique such as Lipiodol or drug-eluting beads (DEB) as the drug's vector; dose of chemotherapy; diameter of DEB; and number, frequency, and selectivity of TACE. Liver necrosis developed after 23 (6.1 %) of 374 TACE. In multivariate analysis, DEB > 300 μm in size induced more liver necrosis compared to Lipiodol (odds ratio [OR] 35.20; p < 0.0001) or with DEB < 300 μm in size (OR 19.95; p < 0.010). Pretreatment BDD (OR 119.64; p < 0.0001) and PVT (OR 9.83; p = 0.030) were predictive of liver necrosis. BDD or PVT responsible for liver necrosis were present before TACE in 59 % (13 of 22) and were induced by a previous TACE in 41 % (9 of 22) of cases. DEB > 300 μm in size, BDD, and PVT are responsible for increased rate of liver necrosis after TACE. Careful analysis of BDD or PVT on pretreatment images as well as images taken between two courses can help avoid TACE complications.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: Comparison of the therapeutic efficacies between miriplatin and epirubicin

The therapeutic efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using miriplatin was evaluated in comparison with that using epirubicin in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Two hundred and eight-nine HCC patients receiving TACE were retrospectively enrolled; none of the patients gave a previous TACE history. The short-term therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) performed 1 month later. In patients showing TE-4, CT and/or magnetic resonance imaging examinations were performed repeatedly and the long-term therapeutic efficacy was assessed based on local tumor recurrence. After exclusion of 68 patients (CT not performed at 1 month), 97 patients treated with epirubicin and 124 treated with miriplatin were analyzed. The percentage of patients showing TE-4 was 46.8% in the miriplatin-TACE group, being significantly higher than that in the epirubicin-TACE group (33.0%). The cumulative local recurrence rates at 18 months were 71.2% in the miriplatin-TACE group and 43.1% in the epirubicin-TACE group; multivariate analysis revealed higher local tumor recurrence rates in the miriplatin-TACE group than in the epirubicin-TACE group. For HCC patients, although miriplatin-TACE was superior to epirubicin-TACE in the short term, it proved inferior to the latter in the long term. The merits of TACE using miriplatin should be further investigated, because adverse effects appear to be minimal after miriplatin administration.

Detection of Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Liver after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization: Value of Quantitative Color Mapping of the Arterial Enhancement Fraction of the Liver

ObjectiveTo investigate the additional diagnostic value of color mapping of the hepatic arterial enhancement fraction (AEF) for detecting recurrent or residual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).Materials and MethodsSeventy-six patients with 126 HCCs, all of whom had undergone previous TACE, and subsequently, underwent follow-up multiphasic liver CT scans, were included in this study. Quantitative color maps of the AEF of the whole liver were created, by using prototype software with non-rigid registration. The AEF was defined as the ratio of the attenuation increment during the arterial phase to the attenuation increment during the portal phase. Two radiologists independently analyzed the two image sets at a two-week interval, i.e., the multiphasic CT image set and the second image set of the AEF color maps and the CT images. The additional diagnostic value of the AEF color mapping was determined, by the use of the jackknife-alternative free-response receiver-operating-characteristic analysis. The sensitivity and positive predictive values for detecting HCCs of each image set were also evaluated and compared.ResultsThe reader-averaged figures of merit were 0.699 on the initial interpretation of the MDCT image set, and 0.831 on the second interpretation of the combined image set; the difference between the two interpretations was significant (p value < 0.001). The mean sensitivity for residual or recurrent HCC detection increased from 62.7% on the initial analysis to 82.1% on the second analysis using the AEF color maps (p value < 0.001). The mean positive predictive value for HCC detection was 74.5% on the initial analysis using MDCT, and 71.6% on the second analysis using AEF color mapping.ConclusionQuantitative color mapping of the hepatic AEF may have the possibility to increase the diagnostic performance of MDCT for the detection of recurrent or residual HCC without the potential risk of radiation-related hazards.

Variations in feeding arteries of hepatocellular carcinoma located in the left hepatic lobe

The left hepatic lobe is divided into three subsegments according to anatomical landmarks; however, there are several variations in the vascular territories of the left hepatic arterial branches. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) located near the umbilical fissure or at the left side of the umbilical portion of the left portal vein has frequent crossover blood supply. HCC located in the caudal aspect of the lateral segment has a variety of feeding arteries, and is infrequently supplied by the caudate artery or the medial subsegmental artery (A4), and by the lateral left hepatic arteries. HCC located in the posterior aspect of segment 4 is frequently supplied by the caudate artery or a small A4 branch arising from the caudate artery. In addition, the left inferior phrenic, right and left internal mammary, right and left gastric, cystic, and omental arteries are well known extrahepatic collateral pathways supplying HCC in the left hepatic lobe, especially when the hepatic artery is attenuated by previous transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Interventional radiologists should have sufficient knowledge of vascular territories in the left hepatic arterial branches and extrahepatic collaterals to perform effective TACE for HCC located in the left hepatic lobe.

Transcatheter Arterial Chemotherapy Using Miriplatin-Lipiodol Suspension with or without Embolization for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the anti-tumor and adverse effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy using miriplatin-lipiodol suspension in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. From 2007 to 2010, 162 consecutive patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma were treated using miriplatin. Of these, 122 patients were treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and 40 were treated by transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups, except for prothrombin activity. Assessments were performed 1-3 months after treatment. Objective responses were achieved in 13 patients undergoing transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy and 70 patients undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (33 versus 57%, P = 0.003). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, objective response was significantly associated with (i) a Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of α-fetoprotein ≤10% (P = 0.004; risk ratio = 3.09; 95% confidence interval = 1.42-6.70), (ii) no previous transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (P = 0.007; risk ratio = 4.41; 95% confidence interval = 1.49-13.07) and (iii) transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using gelatin sponge 1 mm particles (P = 0.021; risk ratio = 2.97; 95% confidence interval = 1.17-7.49). Fever, anorexia and elevated serum transaminase levels were observed in most patients after miriplatin administration; there were no significant differences in the number of adverse effects between the two groups. These results suggest that the addition of embolizing agents to a treatment regimen using miriplatin-lipiodol suspension can be safely used for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Objective response was achieved in a significantly higher number of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization patients than transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy patients.

Previous Chemoembolization Response after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE) Can Predict the Anti-Tumor Effect of Subsequent TACE with Miriplatin in Patients with Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Aim: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with miriplatin in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: From 2007 to 2010, 122 consecutive patients with unresectable HCC were treated by TACE with miriplatin-lipiodol suspension in our institute. Twenty-two patients (18%) had a solitary nodule and 100 patients (82%) had multiple nodules. Ninety-eight patients (80%) had a history of TACE. Results: Thirty-five of the 122 treated patients (29%) showed complete response (CR). And no serious complications were observed. Patients who had shown CR after previous TACE (pre-CR) were significantly more likely to show CR in the current study compared with patients who had shown less successful responses after previous TACE (56 vs. 20%, p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis revealed that response after previous TACE (pre-CR, risk ratio: 4.76; p = 0.035), tumor multiplicity (solitary, risk ratio: 9.69; p = 0.003), and injection artery (peripheral to segmental hepatic artery, risk ratio: 5.28;p = 0.040) were significant independent predictors associated with CR after TACE using miriplatin. Conclusion: In repetition of TACE treatment, switching the TACE agent from epirubicin or cisplatin to miriplatin offered a favorable treatment effect, especially in patients who had shown a CR after previous TACE.

Association between increment of serum VEGF level and prognosis after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

We prospectively investigated the association between a change of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient prognosis. The study involved 147 patients with unresectable HCC treated at the National Cancer Center, Korea, between July and December 2005. Serum samples were collected from each patient before TACE, and 1-2 days and 1 month after TACE. Serum VEGF concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The log(e)(VEGF/platelets) increased transiently 1-2 days after TACE and declined thereafter. Frequency of previous TACE did not correlate with log(e)(VEGF/platelets). This study found that log(e)(VEGF/platelets) 1-2 days after TACE, but not log(e)(VEGF/platelets) at baseline, was strongly correlated with vascular or nodal invasion and AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer)/UICC (International Union Against Cancer) stage, and was significantly greater in men. Relative changes in serum VEGF/platelet levels 1-2 days after TACE (DeltaVEGF) > 0.5 were directly correlated with tumor size, vascular invasion and modified UICC and AJCC/UICC stage (P < 0.05 for each). Additionally, DeltaVEGF > 0.5 was significantly correlated with newly developed extrahepatic metastases one and six months after TACE (P = 0.005 and 0.003, respectively). Progression free survival of patients with DeltaVEGF > 0.5 was significantly worse (P < 0.001) and DeltaVEGF > 0.5 was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (hazard ratio, 3.111; P < 0.001). This study showed that a high increment in serum VEGF level 1-2 days after TACE in HCC patients was associated with distant metastasis and unfavorable outcomes.

Chemoembolization of the Left Inferior Phrenic Artery in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Radiographic Findings and Clinical Outcome

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographic findings of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) supplied by the left inferior phrenic artery (LIPA) and the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) of the LIPA. From September 2002 until August 2004, 11 patients with LIPA supplying HCC were identified and successfully treated with TACE of all LIPAs. LIPA collateral vessels may supply HCC, particularly when the tumors are in the left lobe of the liver in patients who have undergone previous TACE procedures. In this setting, such collateral vessels should be sought on preprocedural imaging. These LIPA collateral vessels may be safely embolized with very good clinical results.

Liver Abscess After Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinomas: Frequency and Risk Factors

The purpose of this study was to clarify the frequency and risk factors of liver abscess formation after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Over a 4-year period, 603 patients with 831 hepatocellular carcinomas measuring 5 cm or less in maximum diameter who underwent a total of 751 percutaneous radiofrequency ablation procedures were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and analyzed the overall frequency of liver abscess, risk factors for abscess, and clinical features of the patients. The relationships between liver abscess and potential risk factors were analyzed using either generalized estimating equations or multiple logistic regression analysis. Liver abscess developed in 14 tumors of 13 patients after 13 (13/751 [1.7%]) ablation procedures. Generalized estimating equations and multiple logistic regression analysis of various potential risk factors revealed that preexisting biliary abnormality prone to ascending biliary infection (p = 0.0088), tumor with retention of iodized oil from previous transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (p = 0.040), and treatment with an internally cooled electrode system (p = 0.016) were associated with a significant risk of liver abscess formation. No patient died of liver abscess, and all successfully recovered from liver abscess with parenteral antibiotics and percutaneous clearance of pus. Although liver abscess formation was infrequent in patients who underwent percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma, the patients with significant risk factors-preexisting biliary abnormality prone to ascending biliary infection, tumor with retention of iodized oil, and treatment with an internally cooled electrode system-for liver abscess formation should be closely monitored after treatment.