Evaluation of short-term effects of drug-loaded microspheres and traditional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of advanced liver cancer

BACKGROUND Liver cancer is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality.Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the main method for surgically unresectable liver cancer.In recent years,drug-loaded microspheres have been gradually applied in TACE technology.There are some controversies about the therapeutic effects of drug-loaded microspheres TACE(D-TACE)and traditional TACE.AIM To explore the short-term efficacy of D-TACE and traditional TACE in the treatment of advanced liver cancer.METHODS The clinical data of 73 patients with advanced liver cancer admitted to the First and Sixth Medical Centers of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2017 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Among them,15 patients were treated with D-TACE,and 58 patients were treated with traditional TACE.Clinical baseline characteristics,perioperative laboratory indices,postoperative adverse reactions and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.RESULTS There was no statistical difference between the two groups for the postoperative response:The highest postoperative body temperature of the drug-loaded microsphere group was 38.0±0.9℃and the postoperative highest body temperature of the traditional TACE group was 38.3±0.7℃(t=-1.414,P=0.162).For the 24 h postoperative nausea and vomiting after surgery in terms of scoring and postoperative pain scores,the traditional TACE group was higher than the drugloaded microsphere group(χ2=14.33,P=0.014;χ2=32.967,P=0.000)and the two groups had significant statistical differences.The disease control rate at 3 mo after treatment in the drugloaded microsphere group was 60%and the disease control rate at 3 mo after treatment in the traditional TACE group was 75.9%(χ2=4.091,P=0.252).There was no statistical difference between the two groups of data.During the follow-up period,the number of interventional treatments received was once in the drug-loaded microsphere group and the traditional TACE group received an average of 1.48 treatments(χ2=10.444 P=0.005).There was a statistical difference between the two groups.CONCLUSION Compared with traditional TACE,D-TACE may have some advantages in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with a large tumor load in the short term,but the long-term clinical efficacy needs additional follow-up studies.In addition,compared with the traditional group,the patients in the drug-loaded microsphere group had better subjective tolerance and could reduce the number of interventional treatments.Therefore,D-TACE is worthy of clinical promotion.

Neoadjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and systemic chemotherapy for the treatment of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver in children

BACKGROUND Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver(UESL)is a rare and aggressive mesenchymal tumor in children.Herein,we describe our experience in neoadjuvant therapy(NAT)and subsequent surgery for the treatment of UESL in children.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of NAT and explore a new choice for successful operation of UESL in children.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed six patients newly diagnosed with unresectable UESL who received NAT and then surgery at our center between January 2004 and December 2019.The tumor was considered unresectable if it involved a large part of both lobes of the liver or had invaded the main hepatic vessels or inferior vena cava.The NAT included preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembol ization(TACE)and systemic chemotherapy.The patients were 4 boys and 2 girls with a mean age of 7 years.The longest tumor at presentation ranged from 8.6 to 14.8 cm(mean,12 cm).Extrahepatic metastases were present in 2 cases.Preoperative systemic chemotherapy was administered 3 wk after TACE.Tumor resection was performed 3 wk after one or two cycles of NAT.The patients received systemic chemotherapy after surgery.RESULTS All patients successfully underwent NAT and complete resection.The tumor volumes decreased by 18.2%–68.7%,with a mean decrease of 36%after 1 cycle of NAT(t=3.524,P=0.017).According to the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors criteria,4 patients had a partial response and underwent surgery,while 2 had stable disease and received another cycle of NAT before surgery.Massive tumor necrosis was seen on pathological examination of the surgical specimen:>90%necrosis in two,>50%necrosis in three,and 25%necrosis in 1,with an average of 71.8%.Post-NAT complications included fever,nausea and vomiting,and mild bone marrow suppression.Elevated alanine transaminase levels occurred in all patients,which returned to normal within 7–10 d after treatment.No cardiac or renal toxicity,severe hepatic dysfunction,bleeding and nontarget embolization were observed in the patients.The median follow-up period was 8 years with an overall survival of 100%.CONCLUSION NAT effectively reduced tumor volume,cleared the tumor margin,and caused massive tumor necrosis.This may be a promising choice for successful surgery of UESL in children.

Nomogram predicting the prognosis of primary liver cancer after radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

BACKGROUND The incidence and mortality rates of primary hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)are high,and the conventional treatment is radiofrequency ablation(RFA)with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE);however,the 3-year survival rate is still low.Further,there are no visual methods to effectively predict their prognosis.AIM To explore the factors influencing the prognosis of HCC after RFA and TACE and develop a nomogram prediction model.METHODS Clinical and follow-up information of 150 patients with HCC treated using RFA and TACE in the Hangzhou Linping Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to December 2022 was retrospectively collected and recorded.We examined their prognostic factors using multivariate logistic regression and created a nomogram prognosis prediction model using the R software(version 4.1.2).Internal verification was performed using the bootstrapping technique.The prognostic efficacy of the nomogram prediction model was evaluated using the concordance index(CI),calibration curve,and receiver operating characteristic RESULTS Of the 150 patients treated with RFA and TACE,92(61.33%)developed recurrence and metastasis.Logistic regression analysis identified six variables,and a predictive model was created.The internal validation results of the model showed a CI of 0.882.The correction curve trend of the prognosis prediction model was always near the diagonal,and the mean absolute error before and after internal validation was 0.021.The area under the curve of the prediction model after internal verification was 0.882[95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.820-0.945],with a specificity of 0.828 and sensitivity of 0.656.According to the Hosmer-Lemeshow test,χ^(2)=3.552 and P=0.895.The predictive model demonstrated a satisfactory calibration,and the decision curve analysis demonstrated its clinical applicability.CONCLUSION The prognosis of patients with HCC after RFA and TACE is affected by several factors.The developed prediction model based on the influencing parameters shows a good prognosis predictive efficacy.

Radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for recurrent liver cancer

BACKGROUND The recurrence rate of liver cancer after surgery is high.Radiofrequency ablation(RFA)combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)is an effective treatment for liver cancer;however,its efficacy in recurrent liver cancer remains unclear.AIM To investigate the clinical effect of TACE combined with RFA in the treatment of recurrent liver cancer.METHODS Ninety patients with recurrent liver cancer were divided into 2 groups according to treatment plan:Control(RFA alone);and experimental[TACE combined with RFA(TACE+RFA)].The incidence of increased alanine aminotransferase levels,complications,and other indices were compared between the two groups before and after the procedures.RESULTS One month after the procedures,the short-term efficacy rate and Karnofsky Performance Status scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).Alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)and total bilirubin levels were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);The overall response rate was 82.22%and 66.67%in the experimental and control groups,respectively;The disease control rate was 93.33%and 82.22%in the experimental and control groups,respectively,the differences are statistically significant(P<0.05).And there were no statistical differences in complications between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION TACE+RFA was effective for the treatment of recurrent liver cancer and significantly reduced AFP levels and improved various indices of liver function.

Liver abscess and tracheal fistula induced by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is a standard treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).The complications of TACE include biliary tract infection,liver dysfunction,tumor lysis syndrome,biloma,partial intestinal obstruction,cerebral lipiodol embolism,etc.There are few reports about tracheal fistula induced by TACE.CASE SUMMARY A 42-year-old man came to our hospital with cough and expectoration for 1 month after TACE for HCC.Laboratory test results showed abnormalities of albumin,hemoglobin,prothrombin time,C-reactive protein,D-dimer,and prothrombin.Culture of both phlegm and liver pus revealed growth of Citrobacter flavescens.Computed tomography showed infection in the inferior lobe of the right lung and a low-density lesion with gas in the right liver.Liver ultrasound showed that there was a big hypoechoic liquid lesion without blood flow signal.Drainage for liver abscess by needle puncture under ultrasonic guidance was performed.After 1 month of drainage and anti-infection therapy,the abscess in the liver and the infection in the lung were reduced obviously,and the symptom of expectoration was relieved.CONCLUSION Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of complications of liver abscess and tracheal fistula after TACE for HCC.Drainage for liver abscess by needle puncture under ultrasonic guidance could relieve the liver abscess and tracheal fistula.

Combined therapy with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and percutaneous microwave coagulation for small hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To assess the efficacy of combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)and percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy(PMCT)for small hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). METHODS:Thirty-five patients with a total of 41 HCC nodules(≤3 cm in diameter)were treated with TACE followed by computed tomograghy(CT)-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy(PMCT) within 1-3 wk. RESULTS:By biopsies and enhanced CT scans, complete necrosis of the tumor and 3-5 mm of the surrounding non-cancerous area were observed in 34 foci.In seven foci,incomplete necrosis of the surrounding parenchyma was observed.Serum alpha- fetoprotein(AFP)levels returned to normal 10 d after treatment in 25 patients who originally had high serum AFP levels.The follow-up period was 6-31 mo,and all patients remained alive.One patient had a recurrence in the subsegments of the liver,and another patient had a recurrence near the original lesion. CONCLUSION:Combined therapy with TACE and PMCT is a safe and effective treatment without severe complications for small HCC.

Doxorubicin-eluting bead vs conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation

AIM:To assess the possible effect of two different types of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)on recurrence-free survival after liver transplantation(LT)in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and to analyze the effects of TACE on tumor histology.METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed the histological features of 130 HCC nodules in 63 native livers removed at transplantation.Patients who received any other type of treatment such as radiofrequency tumor ablation,percutaneous ethanol ablation or who were not treated at all were excluded.All patients in the present study were within the Milan Criteria at the last imaging findings before transplantation.Doxorubicineluting bead TACE(DEB-TACE)was performed in 22patients(38 nodules),and conventional TACE(c-TACE)in 16(25 nodules).Patients’and tumors’characteristics were retrospectively reviewed.We performed a pernodule analysis of the explanted livers to establish the mean percentage of necrosis of any nodule treated by TACE(conventional or DEB)and a per-patient analysis to establish the percentage of necrosis in the cumulative tumor area,including 21 nodules not reached by TACE.Inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the tissue surrounding the tumor nodule were analyzed and categorized as poor/absent,moderate and enhanced reaction.Uni-and multivariate analysis of risk factors for HCC-recurrence were performed.RESULTS:The number and diameter of the nodules,the time spent on the waiting list and the number of treatments were similar in the two groups.A trend towards higher appropriate response rates(necrosis≥90%)was observed in the DEB-TACE group(44.7%vs32.0%,P=0.2834).The mean percentage of necrosis in the cumulative tumor area was 58.8%±36.6%in the DEB-TACE group and 50.2%±38.1%in the c-TACE group(P=0.4856).Fibrotic and inflammatory reactions surrounding the tumor nodule were markedly more common in the DEB-TACE group(P<0.0001,for both the parameters).The three-year recurrence-free survival was higher in DEB-TACE-treated patients than in conventionally treated patients(87.4%vs 61.5%,P=0.0493).Other factors affecting recurrence-free survival included viable tumor beyond Milan Criteria on histopathological examination,the percentage of necrosis on CTA≤50%and a pre-transplant serum-fetoprotein level greater than 70 ng/mL.On multivariate analysis,the lack of treatment with DEB-TACE,high levels of-fetoprotein and viable tumor beyond Milan Criteria at histology examination were identified as independent predictors of tumor recurrence.CONCLUSION:DEB-TACE can effectively promote tumor necrosis and improves recurrence-free survival after LT in HCC.

Efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using pirarubicin-loaded microspheres combined with lobaplatin for primary liver cancer

BACKGROUND Drug-eluting beads show good safety and promising efficacy when used as part of a transarterial chemoembolization regimen for primary liver cancer.However,data on the clinical efficacy and safety of pirarubicin-loaded beads combined with lobaplatin are lacking in China.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using pirarubicin-loaded beads combined with lobaplatin for primary liver cancer.METHODS Between January 2019 and March 2020,60 patients with primary liver cancer were selected at Hebei North University Affiliated First Hospital.According to different treatment methods,the participants were categorized into two groups with 30 patients treated with pirarubicin-loaded microspheres combined with lobaplatin included in an observation group and 30 patients treated with pirarubicin emulsion with lipiodol combined with lobaplatin were included in a control group.The progression-free survival,overall survival,clinical response rate,disease control rate,liver and kidney function and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The progression-free survival was 14 mo in the observation group,which was significantly higher than 9 mo of the control group(P<0.05).The 6-mo,12-mo and 18-mo survival rates were 93.33%(28/30),66.67%(20/30)and 23.33%(7/30),respectively in the observation group,which were significantly higher than 83.33%(25/30),50.00%(15/30)and 13.33%(4/30),respectively,of the control group(all P<0.05).The clinical efficacy rate and disease control rate were 73.33%and 93.33%,respectively,in the observation group,which were significantly higher than those of the control group(53.55%and 80.00%,respectively,all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in alpha-fetoprotein between the two groups before the treatment(P>0.05).After the treatment,alpha-fetoprotein was 289.06±76.21 ng/m L in the observation group and 365.01±73.11 ng/m L in the control group,which were low in both groups compared with those before the treatment(all P<0.05).The incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference for the adverse reactions of pain and fever between the two groups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The combination of pirarubicin-loaded beads and lobaplatin can improve treatment efficacy resulting in mild liver function damage and postoperative complications in patients with primary liver cancer.It can be used in clinical practice.

Clinical values of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer subgroup and up-to-7 criteria in intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

BACKGROUND Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is a recommended treatment for patients with intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)but with variable treatment outcomes.AIM To determine factors for predicting outcomes of TACE in patients with intermediate stage B HCC.METHODS Patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC)stage B HCC who underwent TACE as the primary treatment were enrolled at Taichung Veterans General Hospital from January 2005 to December 2009.Patients were assigned to either the objective responder(OR)group or the non-OR group according to mRECIST criteria.Clinical and radiological characteristics were compared between the 2 groups.The overall survival of enrolled subjects was analyzed.RESULTS In 128 enrolled patients,66(51.6%)were in the OR group and 62(48.4%)in the non-OR group.Compared with the non-OR group,the OR group had a significantly smaller HCC size(6.55 cm vs 9.50 cm,P=0.001)and was within the up-to-7 criteria(50%vs 26.7%,P=0.001).After multivariable analyses,these significant associations still existed.Overall survival rate of all the subjects averaged 20.65±13.26 mo.The survival rate at 1-year was 64.8%,2-year was 46.9%,and 3-year was 31.2%.For those patients with OR to TACE,smaller tumor size and within up-to-7 criteria were associated with significantly better overall survival.Those patients with subgroup B1 had the highest OR ratio(75%)and better overall survival(26.70±12.07 mo)after TACE.CONCLUSION BCLC stage B HCC patients with smaller tumor size or within up-to-7 criteria had better survival outcomes to TACE.BCLC stage B subgroup is useful to predict refractoriness to TACE.

Effect of Aidi injection combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization on clinical efficacy, vascular growth factor and cellular immune function in patients with primary liver cancer

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of Aidi injection combined with TACE on patients with primary liver cancer and its influence on serum AFP,bFGF,VEGF,inflammatory cytokines,immune function and quality of life.Methods From June 2017 to June 2019,116 patients with primary liver cancer from Shanghai Yangsi hospital and Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University were selected as the study objects.They were randomly divided into TACE group and TACE+Aidi group with 58 cases in each group.The TACE group was treated with TACE.The clinical efficacy,serum tumor markers,bFGF,VEGF,TGF-beta 1,oxidative stress,inflammatory cytokines,cellular immune function and quality of life were observed.Results The total effective rate was 89.66%in the case group,which was significantly higher than 74.14%in the TACE group,The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,the levels of alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),carbohydrate chain antigen(CA)242,CA724,basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-beta),malondialdehyde(MDA),interleukin(IL)-6,IL-10,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-a,circulating immune complex(CIC),CD8+in the two groups were lower than those before treatment;total antioxidant capacity(TAOC),measurement The levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),IL-12,CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+and QOL scores of quality of life were higher than those before treatment.The serum tumor markers,bFGF,VEGF,TGF-beta 1,oxidative stress,inflammatory cytokines,cellular immune function and quality of life in theTACE+Aidi group were significantly better than those in the TACE group.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions in theTACE+Aidi group was 6.89%,which was lower than 13.78%in the TACE group,There was no significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusions Addie injection combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization is effective in treating primary liver cancer,reducing serum tumor markers,reducing toxic and side effects,regulating oxidative stress,reducing inflammatory reaction,reducing serum bFGF,VEGF and TGF-beta 1 levels,improving the quality of life of patients,and has high efficiency and safety,which is worthy of further promotion in clinic.

Efficacy of continuous arterial perfusion chemotherapy combined with transarterial chemoembolization regional arterial thermal perfusion in the treatment of pancreatic cancer with liver metastases

Background:The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of continuous transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis.Methods:Sixty patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and liver metastases were enrolled in this study.In the treatment group,31patients underwent continuous transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with TACE regional arterial thermal perfusion,whereas 29 patients included in the control group received intravenous chemotherapy with gemcitabine and S-1.All patients received maintenance chemotherapy with S-1 after 4 cycles of the study regimen.Treatment efficacy,quality of life,survival,and toxicity were evaluated.Results:Efficacy was better in the treatment group than in the control group,as reflected by the objective remission,partial remission,and disease progression rates(all P<0.05).The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and Numerical Rating Scale pain scores were also higher in the treatment group(both P<0.05).In survival analysis,the 1-year overall survival rates in the treatment and control groups were64.516%and 10.345%,respectively,whereas the median overall survival times were 16 and 6 months,respectively(both P<0.05).The6-month progression-free survival rates in the treatment and control groups were 77.419%and 13.790%,respectively,and the median progression-free survival times were 12 and 3 months,respectively(both P<0.05).The rates of hematological and nonhematological toxicological adverse effects were also lower in the treatment group(both P<0.05).Although the rate of liver dysfunction was higher in the treatment group,this finding had no adverse effects on prognosis.Conclusions:Continuous transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with TACE regional arterial perfusion chemotherapy resulted in better efficacy and safety outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer and liver metastasis,suggesting its utility as a reference method for the clinical treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

Influence of sequential 125I particle chain implantation and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization on tumor cell killing effect in patients with liver cancer

Objective:To study the influence of sequential125I particle chain implantation and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on tumor cell killing effect in patients with liver cancer. Methods:A total of 82 cases of patients with advanced liver cancer who were treated in our hospital between September 2014 and December 2016 were collected, reviewed and then divided into the control group (n=45) who received TACE alone and the observation group (n=37) who received sequential125I particle chain implantation and TACE. Serum levels of tumor markers, angiogenesis indexes and apoptosis molecules before and after treatments were compared between two groups of patients.Results: Before treatment, differences in serum levels of tumor markers, angiogenesis indexes and apoptosis molecules were not statistically significant between two groups of patients. After treatment, serum tumor markers AFP, CA199, CA153 and Ferritin levels in observation group were lower than those in control group;serum angiogenesis indexes VEGF, PEDF, ES and bFGF contents were lower than those in control group;serum apoptosis molecules p53 and Fas contents were higher than those in control group.Conclusion:Sequential125I particle chain implantation and TACE treatment of advanced liver cancer can effectively reduce tumor malignancy and promote tumor apoptosis.

Effect of radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization on inflammatory factors, oxidative stress response factors and tumor activity factors in patients with primary liver cancer

Objective:To investigate the effects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on inflammatory factors, oxidative stress response factors and tumor activity factors in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.Methods:A total of 100 cases of primary liver cancer patients from January 2014 to June 2016 were selected and randomly divided into observation group and control group with 50 cases in each group, the observation group was treated with RFA combined with TACE treatment, the control group was given TACE treatment, compared two groups before treatment (T0), 1 weeks of treatment (T1), 2 weeks (T2) inflammation factor, oxidative stress factor and tumor activity index.Results:(1) The hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α levels of T1 in two groups were significantly increased, T2 decreased significantly, T1>T1>T2, but the observation group hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α levels of T1 were higher than the control group and the difference was statistically significant, hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α levels of T2 had no statistically significant;(2) The ROS level of T1 in the observation group was higher than the control group, while the SOD and T-AOC levels were lower than the control group, the ROS level of T2 in the observation group was lower than the control group, SOD and T-AOC were higher than the control group, there was significant difference. (3) Serum AFP, CA199 and MMP levels in T1 and T2 of the observation group were lower than the control group, the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion:RFA treatment of HCC may lead to inflammation and increased oxidative stress in the early stage . However, TACE combined with TACE can improve the micro inflammatory state, especially enhance the antioxidant function and decrease the level of tumor active factor.

Efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with ganfule on advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective： The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） combined with a Chinese compound preparation of ganfule on advanced hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. Methods： The study population consisted of 132 advanced HCC patients with Child-pugh NB. Tumor in all patients was involved with main trunk of portal vein and/or inferior vena cava, or local lymph node metastasis, or distant metastasis. TACE combined with ganfule were performed in 65 patients with advanced HCC （interventional treatment group）, 67 patients were treated with traditional Chinese herbal drug alone （Chinese herb group）. The prime end point was overall survival （OS）, and prognostic factors were analyzed. Results： The median OS was 205 days [95% confidence interval （CI）, 155-255 days] in interventional treatment group and 127 days （95% CI, 70-184 days） in Chinese herb group （P 〈 0.05）. The 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year OS rates were 58.9%, 29.1%, 7.7% in interventional treatment group, and 33.3%, 12.3%, 1.8% in Chinese herb group, respectively. The portal vein thrombosis, ECOG performance status （PS） were independent prognostic factors for OS. Conclusion： Ttranscatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with a Chinese compound preparation of ganfule could greatly prolong the OS of advanced HCC patients. The portal vein thrombosis and ECOG PS were independent prognostic factors for OS.

Balloon-occluded transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) is widely accepted as a treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in the intermediate stage according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC) guidelines. Recently, balloon-occluded TACE(B-TACE) was developed in Japan. Despite the lack of a clear definition, B-TACE is generally defined as the infusion of emulsion of chemotherapeutic agents with lipiodol followed by gelatin particles under the occlusion of feeding arteries by a microballoon catheter, which leads to the dense lipiodol emulsion(LE) accumulation in HCC nodules. This phenomenon cannot be explained only by the prevention of proximal migration and leakage of embolization materials; it further involves causing local changes in the hemodynamics of the surrounding occlusion artery and targeted HCC nodules. Balloon-occluded arterial stump pressure plays an important role in the dense LE accumulation in targeted HCC nodules. Although randomized controlled trials comparing the therapeutic effect and the prognosis of B-TACE to those of the other TACE procedures, such as conventional-TACE and drug-eluting beads TACE, are still lacking, B-TACE is thought to be a promising treatment. The purpose of this review is to summarize the mechanism, therapeutic effect, indication, prognosis and complications of BTACE.

Sequential transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and portal vein embolization before right hemihepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background:Recent studies showed that sequential selective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)and portal vein embolization(PVE)provided better future liver remnant(FLR)regeneration rate and disease-free survival following surgery compared with PVE alone.The present study aimed to clarify whether preoperative sequential TACE and PVE before right hemihepatectomy can reduce postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)recurrence and improve long-term disease-free and overall survival.Methods:Recurrence and survival outcomes were retrospectively evaluated in 205 patients with HCC who underwent right hemihepatectomy by a single surgeon from November 1993 to November 2017.Patients were divided into four groups according to the procedure performed before the surgery:sequential TACE and PVE(TACE-PVE),PVE-only,TACE-only,or na?ve control groups.The baseline patient and tumor characteristics,postoperative outcomes,recurrence-free survival and overall survival were analyzed.Results:Baseline patient and tumor characteristics upon diagnosis were similar in all four groups,while sequential TACE and PVE were well tolerated.The TACE-PVE group had a higher mean increase in percentage FLR volume compared with that of the PVE-only group(17.46%±6.63%vs.12.14%±5.93%;P=0.001).The TACE-PVE group had significantly better overall and disease-free survival rates compared with the other groups(both P<0.001).Conclusions:Sequential TACE and PVE prior to surgery can be an effective therapeutic strategy for patients with HCC scheduled for major hepatic resection.The active application of preoperative sequential TACE and PVE for HCC would allow more patients with marginal FLR volume to become candidates for major hepatic resection by promoting compensatory FLR hypertrophy without the deterioration of basal hepatic functional reserve or tumor progression.

Simultaneous transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and portal vein embolization for patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma before major hepatectomy

BACKGROUND Sequential transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)and portal vein embolization(PVE)are associated with long time interval that can allow tumor growth and nullify treatments'benefits.AIM To evaluate the effect of simultaneous TACE and PVE for patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)prior to elective major hepatectomy.METHODS Fifty-one patients with large HCC who underwent PVE combined with or without TACE prior to hepatectomy were included in this study,with 13 patients in the simultaneous TACE+PVE group,17 patients in the sequential TACE+PVE group,and 21 patients in the PVE-only group.The outcomes of the procedures were compared and analyzed.RESULTS All patients underwent embolization.The mean interval from embolization to surgery,the kinetic growth rate of the future liver remnant(FLR),the degree of tumor size reduction,and complete tumor necrosis were significantly better in the simultaneous TACE+PVE group than in the other groups.Although the patients in the simultaneous TACE+PVE group had a higher transaminase levels after PVE and TACE,they recovered to comparable levels with the other two groups before surgery.The intraoperative course and the complication and mortality rates were similar among the three groups.The overall survival and disease-free survival were higher in the simultaneous TACE+PVE group than in the other two groups.CONCLUSION Simultaneous TACE and PVE is a safe and effective approach to increase FLR volume for patients with large HCC before major hepatectomy.

Primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma successfully treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma is rare and reported sporadically, with less than40 such cases have been reported in the English-language literature. Although it is reported to be associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, EpsteinBarr virus infection, Hodgkin's lymphoma, immunosuppression after organ transplantation, and hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis, the precise steps leading to leiomyosarcoma have not been fully identified. Therapeutic strategies include liver wedge resection or lobectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and liver transplantation; however, the prognosis of primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma is dismal.CASE SUMMARY We describe here the first case of primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma successfully treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE). The patient was a 68-year-old woman who presented with right upper quadrant pain and weight loss over the past 5 wk before admission. Abdominal computed tomography(commonly known as CT) and ultrasonography showed a mixed echoic mass measuring about 10 cm × 7 cm occupying the right lobe of the liver. Exploratory laparotomy was performed 1 wk after admission. The tumor was unresectable and biopsy was performed. Based on rapid frozen-section and histopathological examination, a final diagnosis of primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma was established. TACE was performed 2 wk later. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on day 7 after the operation. Contrastenhanced CT showed that the tumor significantly shrunk with satisfactory lipiodol deposition. The patient has been followed up for 82 mo until now, and no progressive enlargement of the tumor or distal metastasis was observed.CONCLUSION TACE is a safe and effective treatment for primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma. The therapeutic effect of TACE combined with surgical resection should be further assessed.

Pulmonary complications of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) is an effective palliative intervention that is widely accepted for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Post-TACE pulmonary complications resulting in acute lung injury(ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) are rare events. Pulmonary complications after TACE are thought to be related to chemical injury subsequent to the migration of the infused ethiodized oil or chemotherapeutic agent to the lung vasculature, facilitated by arteriovenous(AV) shunts within the hyper-vascular HCC. We review herein the literature on pulmonary complications related to TACE for HCC. Post-TACE pulmonary complications have included pulmonary oil embolism, interstitial pneumonitis, chemical pneumonitis, ALI, ARDS, lipoid pneumonia, acute eosinophilic and neutrophilic pneumonia, bilious pleuritis, pulmonary abscess, pulmonary tumor embolism, and possibly pulmonary metastasis with HCC. The risk factors associated with post-TACE pulmonary complications identified in the literature include large hyper-vascular HCC with AV shunts, large-volume Lipiodol infusion, and embolization via the right inferior phrenic artery. However, the absence of known risk factors is not a guarantee against serious complications. An astute awareness of the potential post-TACE pulmonary complications should expedite appropriate therapeutic interventions and increase potential for early recovery.

Analysis of tumor recurrence factors in patients of primary hepatocellular carcinoma with postoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE)

Objective： The aim of the study was to analyze the tumor recurrence factors in patients of primary hepatocellular carcinoma （PHC） with postoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE）. Methods： A total of 121 cases of PHC by TACE after 1-2 months of surgery was retrospectively analyzed, followed up and analyzed the free survival time and the factors related to tumor-free survival. Results： In all 121 cases, 1-, 2-, and 3-year tumor-free survival rates were 72.73%, 46.21% and 26.93%, respectively. Gender, age, HBV infection, tumor size, capsule is complete, degree of differentiation and the presence of vascular thrombosis were put into the COX proportional hazards model of survival time to select the influential variables. In the clinical data of all variables entering COX proportional hazards model, tumor size, tumor differentiation and the presence of vascular thrombosis were statistically significant contributions to the model. In the tumor diameter less than or equal 10 cm [P = 0.040, Exp （B） = 2.210], vascular thrombosis [P = 0.039, Exp （B） = 2.922] and the lower degree of tumor differentiation [P = 0.035, Exp （B） = 3.038], the risk of tumor recent recurrence increased. Conclusion： Tumor size, differentiation, and the presence of vascular thrombosis are the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of PHC after TACE.