To the Editor:We read with great interest the recent article by Shi et al.pub-lished in Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Diseases International[1].Shi’s study was based on radiological features and clinical factors to constr...To the Editor:We read with great interest the recent article by Shi et al.pub-lished in Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Diseases International[1].Shi’s study was based on radiological features and clinical factors to construct a model to predict the effectiveness of first transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in prolonging patient survival.The results showed that area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.964 for the training cohort and 0.949 for the validation cohort.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a common tumor with a poor prognosis.Early intervention is essential;thus,good prognostic markers to identify patients who benefit from first transarterial chemoembolization(...BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a common tumor with a poor prognosis.Early intervention is essential;thus,good prognostic markers to identify patients who benefit from first transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)are needed.AIM To investigate the efficacy of computed tomography(CT)radiomics in predicting the success of the first TACE in patients with advanced HCC and to develop an early prediction model based on clinical radiomics features.METHODS Data from 122 patients with advanced HCC treated with TACE were analyzed.Intratumoral and peritumoral areas on arterial and venous CT images were selected to extract radiomic features,which were screened in the training cohort using the minimum redundancy maximum correlation.Then,support vector machines were used to construct the model.To construct a receiver operating characteristic curve,the predictive efficacy of each model was evaluated on the basis of the area under the curve(AUC).RESULTS Among the 122 patients,72 patients were effectively treated via TACE,and in 50 patients,this treatment was ineffective.In the radiomics model,the areas under the curve of the venous phase model were 0.867(95%CI:0.790-0.940)in the training cohort and 0.755(0.600-0.910)in the validation cohort,indicating good predictive efficacy.The multivariate logistic regression results indicated that preoperative alpha-fetoprotein levels(P=0.01)were a risk factor for TACE.The screened clinical features were combined with the radiomic features to construct a combined model.This combined model had an AUC of 0.92(0.87-0.95)in the training cohort and 0.815(0.67-0.95)in the validation cohort.CONCLUSION CT radiomics has good value in predicting the efficacy of the first TACE treatment in patients with HCC.The combined model was a better tool for predicting the first TACE efficacy in patients with advanced HCC and could provide an efficient predictive tool to help with the selection of patients for TACE.展开更多
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)remains one of the most common cancers worldwide.Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization has become a common treatment modality for some patients with unresectable advanced HCC.Since the ...Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)remains one of the most common cancers worldwide.Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization has become a common treatment modality for some patients with unresectable advanced HCC.Since the introduction of nanomaterials in 1974,their use in various fields has evolved rapidly.In medical applications,nanomaterials can serve as carriers for the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to tumour tissues.Additionally,nanomaterials have potential for in vivo tumour imaging.This article covers the properties and uses of several kinds of nanomaterials,focusing on their use in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for HCC treatment.This paper also discusses the limitations currently associated with the use of nanomaterials.展开更多
BACKGROUND Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)is a key treatment approach for advanced invasive liver cancer(infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma).However,its therapeutic response can be difficult to evalu...BACKGROUND Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)is a key treatment approach for advanced invasive liver cancer(infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma).However,its therapeutic response can be difficult to evaluate accurately using conventional two-dimensional imaging criteria due to the tumor’s diffuse and multifocal growth pattern.Volumetric imaging,especially enhanced tumor volume(ETV),offers a more comprehensive assessment.Nonetheless,bias field inhomogeneity in magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)poses challenges,potentially skewing volumetric measurements and undermining prognostic evaluation.AIM To investigate whether MRI bias field correction enhances the accuracy of volumetric assessment of infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma treated with TACE,and to analyze how this improved measurement impacts prognostic prediction.METHODS We retrospectively collected data from 105 patients with invasive liver cancer who underwent TACE treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2020 to January 2024.The improved N4 bias field correction algorithm was applied to process MRI images,and the ETV before and after treatment was calculated.The ETV measurements before and after correction were compared,and their relationship with patient prognosis was analyzed.A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate prognostic factors,with Martingale residual analysis determining the optimal cutoff value,followed by survival analysis.RESULTS Bias field correction significantly affected ETV measurements,with the corrected baseline ETV mean(505.235 cm^(3))being significantly lower than before correction(825.632 cm^(3),P<0.001).Cox analysis showed that the hazard ratio(HR)for corrected baseline ETV(HR=1.165,95%CI:1.069-1.268)was higher than before correction(HR=1.063,95%CI:1.031-1.095).Using 412 cm^(3) as the cutoff,the group with baseline ETV<415 cm^(3) had a longer median survival time compared to the≥415 cm^(3) group(18.523 months vs 8.926 months,P<0.001).The group with an ETV reduction rate≥41%had better prognosis than the<41%group(17.862 months vs 9.235 months,P=0.006).Multivariate analysis confirmed that ETV reduction rate(HR=0.412,P<0.001),Child-Pugh classification(HR=0.298,P<0.001),and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage(HR=0.578,P=0.045)were independent prognostic factors.CONCLUSION Volume imaging based on MRI bias field correction can improve the accuracy of evaluating the efficacy of TACE treatment for invasive liver cancer.The corrected ETV and its reduction rate can serve as independent indicators for predicting patient prognosis,providing important reference for developing individualized treatment strategies.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the most common form of liver cancer that has limited treatment options and a poor prognosis.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the first-line treatment for intermediate...BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the most common form of liver cancer that has limited treatment options and a poor prognosis.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the first-line treatment for intermediate-stage HCC but can induce tumour hypoxia,thereby promoting angiogenesis.Recent studies suggested that combining TACE with anti-angiogenic therapies and immunotherapy might im-prove efficacy.Lenvatinib,a tyrosine kinase inhibitor,has demonstrated superior outcomes compared to sorafenib,while immune checkpoint inhibitors such as sintilimab show potential when combined with TACE.However,the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with lenvatinib and sintilimab(TACE+SL)compared to TACE with lenvatinib alone(TACE+L)in patients with intermediate-ad-vanced HCC has not yet been investigated.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE+SL therapy in comparison to TACE+L therapy in patients with intermediate-advanced HCC.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with intermediate-advanced HCC who received TACE plus lenvatinib with or without sintilimab between September 2019 and September 2022.Baseline characteristics were compared,and propensity score matching was applied.Overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),and objective response rate(ORR)were evaluated between the two groups,and adverse events were analyzed.RESULTS The study included 57 patients,with 30 in the TACE+SL group and 27 in the TACE+L group.The TACE+SL group demonstrated significantly improved median PFS and OS compared to the TACE+L group(PFS:14.1 months vs 9.6 months,P=0.016;OS:22.4 months vs 14.1 months,P=0.039),along with a higher ORR(70.0%vs 55.6%).After propensity score matching,30 patients were included,with the TACE+SL group again showing longer median PFS and a trend toward improved OS(PFS:14.6 months vs 9.2 months,P=0.012;OS:23.9 months vs 16.3 months,P=0.063),and a higher ORR(73.3%vs 53.3%).No severe adverse events were reported.CONCLUSION TACE+SL demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of OS and PFS,compared to TACE+L.These findings suggest that the addition of sintilimab might enhance the therapeutic response in patients with intermediate-advanced HCC.展开更多
Colorectal cancer(CRC)with liver metastasis remains a significant therapeutic challenge,particularly in cases of postoperative recurrence.While transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)and targeted therapies have shown pr...Colorectal cancer(CRC)with liver metastasis remains a significant therapeutic challenge,particularly in cases of postoperative recurrence.While transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)and targeted therapies have shown promise individually,the efficacy combining these for treating postoperative recurrent CRC with liver metastasis requires further investigation.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with targeted therapies for postoperative recurrent CRC with liver metastasis.METHODS This observational study enrolled 75 patients with postoperative recurrent CRC accompanied by liver metastasis between January 2020 and December 2023.All patients received combined treatment with TACE and targeted therapy:Bevacizumab(40 patients,53.3%),cetuximab(25 patients,33.3%),or panitumumab(10 patients,13.3%).Treatment response was evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 criteria,with overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival as the primary endpoints.Quality of life was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire at baseline and after six months of treatment.RESULTS The median OS was 28 months(95%confidence interval:24-32 months),and the median progression-free survival was 12 months(95%confidence interval:10-14 months).Patients treated with bevacizumab showed significantly better survival outcomes than those treated with cetuximab/panitumumab(median OS,30 vs 24 months,P=0.015).The overall response rate was 58.7%,with a disease control rate of 86.7%.Quality of life scores improved significantly across all domains,with greater improvements observed in the bevacizumab group.Treatment-related adverse events were manageable,with grade 3-4 events occurring in 13.3%of the patients and no treatment-related mortality.CONCLUSION The combination of TACE with targeted therapy,particularly bevacizumab,has demonstrated promising efficacy and acceptable safety for the treatment of postoperative recurrent CRC with liver metastasis.This multimodal approach not only improved survival outcomes but also enhanced the patients’quality of life,suggesting its potential as a valuable treatment strategy for this challenging condition.展开更多
BACKGROUND The combination of sorafenib with transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is being investigated for its potential to improve outcomes in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).AIM To evaluate the efficacy of t...BACKGROUND The combination of sorafenib with transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is being investigated for its potential to improve outcomes in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).AIM To evaluate the efficacy of this combined treatment strategy in enhancing overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)compared to monotherapies.METHODS A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines.A comprehensive search was performed across PubMed,EMBASE,Web of Science,and the Cochrane Library up to May 8,2024.Studies were included if they compared sorafenib plus TACE to sorafenib alone or TACE alone in adults with advanced HCC.Primary outcomes were OS,PFS,response rates,and safety profiles.Data extraction and quality assessment were independently performed by two reviewers.Heterogeneity was assessed using the I^(2)statistic,and a random-effects model was applied for pooling data.Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment were also conducted.RESULTS A total of twelve studies involving 1174 patients met the inclusion criteria.Significant heterogeneity was observed for both OS(I^(2)=72.6%,P<0.001)and PFS(I^(2)=83.7%,P<0.001).The combined treatment of sorafenib with TACE significantly improved OS[hazard ratio(HR)=0.60,95%confidence interval(CI):0.44-0.76]and PFS(HR=0.54,95%CI:0.38-0.69).Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings.Funnel plots and Egger's test indicated no significant publication bias.CONCLUSION Sorafenib combined with TACE significantly enhances both OS and PFS in patients with advanced HCC compared to monotherapy.This combination therapy represents a promising approach to improving clinical outcomes in advanced liver cancer.展开更多
BACKGROUND Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(iCCA)is the second most common liver malignancy with poor prognosis and limited treatment options.AIM To identify the most effective drug for transarterial chemoembolization(...BACKGROUND Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(iCCA)is the second most common liver malignancy with poor prognosis and limited treatment options.AIM To identify the most effective drug for transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)in cholangiocarcinoma and evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining it with gemcitabine and cisplatin(GemCis)for unresectable iCCA.METHODS Cholangiocarcinoma cell lines(RBE,HuCC-T1)were treated with 10 chemotherapeutic drugs,and cytotoxicity was assessed by cell counting kit-8 assays.Tumorbearing nude mice were treated with idarubicin or GemCis,and tumor growth was monitored.Clinical data from 85 iCCA patients were analyzed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of idarubicin-TACE combined with GemCis.RESULTS Idarubicin demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity,significantly outperforming GemCis,the standard first-line therapies.In tumor-bearing mouse models,idarubicin and GemCis treatments significantly slowed tumor growth,with idarubicin showing particularly pronounced effects on days 12 and 15(P<0.05).In retrospective analysis,the median overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)in the combination therapy group were significantly longer than those in the GemCis alone group(median OS,16.23 months vs 10.07 months,P=0.042;median PFS,7.73 months vs 6.30 months,P=0.023).Additionally,major grade 3/4 adverse events(AEs)in the combination therapy group were abdominal pain(26.3%vs 6.5%,P=0.049)and elevated transaminases(42.1%vs 12.9%,P=0.038).Most AEs were mild to moderate and manageable.CONCLUSION Idarubicin demonstrated higher cytotoxicity than GemCis,significantly inhibiting tumor growth in tumor-bearing mouse models.Preliminary clinical results suggest that local idarubicin-TACE combined with GemCis may offer improved survival outcomes for iCCA patients with a manageable safety profile.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatic hemangiomas represent the most prevalent benign liver tumors.Surgical management of large symptomatic hepatic hemangiomas remains controversial and there is an increasing interest in minimally invas...BACKGROUND Hepatic hemangiomas represent the most prevalent benign liver tumors.Surgical management of large symptomatic hepatic hemangiomas remains controversial and there is an increasing interest in minimally invasive techniques,such as transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)and microwave ablation(MWA).AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with MWA for large hepatic hemangiomas.METHODS This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2015 and January 2024.Eighty-two patients with hepatic hemangiomas>5 cm were divided into two groups:Observation(TACE+MWA,n=50)and control(TACE,n=32).Tumor diameter and treatment outcomes were evaluated at baseline,12 months,and>3 years.Appropriate statistical tests were chosen based on the type and distribution of the data.RESULTS At baseline,the median tumor diameter was 8.3(range:5.0-19.2)cm in the observation group and 8.5(range:5.0-20.0)cm in the control group.The median follow up duration was 44.6(95%confidence interval:36.7-52.5)months.At 12 months post-treatment,the observation group demonstrated a higher tumor reduction ratio compared to the control group(50.98%vs 23.28%,respectively;P<0.001).The objective response rate was 93.94%in the observation group,which was significantly higher than that in the control group(33.33%)(P<0.001).No recurrence occurred in the observation group,while one case occurred in the control group.Notably,no cases of hemoglobinuria or acute kidney injury were reported in the observation group.CONCLUSION Combination treatment enhances tumor shrinkage,promotes long-term tumor control,and reduces the complications associated with MWA,thereby presenting a promising alternative to surgical resection.展开更多
BACKGROUND Lenvatinib and sorafenib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors that are effective in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(uHCC).The efficacy of which of them is better suited to combine transarte...BACKGROUND Lenvatinib and sorafenib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors that are effective in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(uHCC).The efficacy of which of them is better suited to combine transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)for the treatment of uHCC is ripe.RESULTS A total of six studies involving 547 patients were included,248 in the TACE-lenvatinib group and 299 in the TACE-sorafenib group.Meta-analysis results showed that TACE-lenvatinib was more effective than TACE-sorafenib in complete response[relative risk(RR)=1.81,95%confidence interval(CI):1.11-2.96,P=0.02],partial response(RR=1.38,95%CI:1.12-1.70,P=0.002),objective response rate(RR=1.47,95%CI:1.24-1.74,P<0.0001)and disease control rate(RR=1.22,95%CI:1.00-1.49,P=0.05).TACE-lenvatinib was significantly lower than TACE-sorafenib in progressive disease rate(RR=0.54,95%CI:0.39-0.74,P=0.002).No significant difference was found in stable disease rate(RR=0.89,95%CI:0.60-1.33,P=0.58)between the two groups.TACE-lenvatinib was significantly more effective than TACE-sorafenib in overall survival(hazard ratio=2.00,95%CI:1.59-2.50,P<0.05)and progression free survival(hazard ratio=2.04,95%CI:1.49-2.86,P<0.05).As regards adverse events,TACE-lenvatinib was better in reducing the incidence of hypertension than TACE-sorafenib,while no significant difference was found in overall adverse events,abdominal pain,fever,fatigue,nausea and vomiting,decreased appetite,liver dysfunction,hand-foot skin reaction,diarrhea,thrombocytopenia,and rash between the two groups.CONCLUSION In patients with uHCC,TACE-lenvatinib induced a better tumor response rate and survival outcome than TACE-sorafenib,while TACE-lenvatinib resulted in a higher incidence of hypertension than TACE-sorafenib.However,these conclusions are derived from currently available medical evidence,and further confirmation by more rigorously designed randomized controlled studies is still needed.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and currently lacks effective treatment options.This is particularly true for advanced HCC,for which conventional therapies...BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and currently lacks effective treatment options.This is particularly true for advanced HCC,for which conventional therapies often lead to a poor prognosis.AIM To assess the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)with donafenib and immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)for unresectable HCC.METHODS We retrospectively assessed the data of patients with HCC who underwent TACE combined with donafenib and an ICI(tislelizumab or cedilimumab).Patients received oral donafenib daily for 2 weeks before TACE,followed by tislelizumab or cedilimumab 200 mg intravenously on day 1 of a 21-day therapeutic cycle.The primary endpoints were objective response rate,disease control rate,and duration of response according to the modified RECIST criteria.The secondary endpoint was presence of treatment-related adverse events(TRAEs).RESULTS The median follow-up was 7.8 months(95%CI:5.0-11.8 months).The objective response rate was 60.0%(18/30),while the disease control rate was 93.3%.The median duration of response in confirmed responders was 6.6 months(95%CI:1.3-12.9 months).The median progression-free survival was 11.8 months(95%CI:8.3-15.4 months).More than half of the patients survived until the end of the study.Grade>3 TRAEs occurred in 40%of the patients with no grade 5 TRAEs reported.The most common grade 3/4 TRAE was palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia,a dermatologic condition characterized by painful redness and swelling of the palms and soles,with an incidence of 56.7%.No ICI-related adverse effects were observed.CONCLUSION TACE combined with donafenib and ICI is a promising and safe therapeutic regimen for unresectable HCC.展开更多
BACKGROUND Acute cholecystitis due to unintended cystic artery embolism is an uncommon and mostly self-limiting complication after transarterial chemoembolization procedure for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.Us...BACKGROUND Acute cholecystitis due to unintended cystic artery embolism is an uncommon and mostly self-limiting complication after transarterial chemoembolization procedure for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.Usually,conservative management is sufficient for complete recovery of patients who develop this complication.If conservative treatment is ineffective,urgent surgical inter-vention may be required to prevent the progression of complications.CASE SUMMARY This article reports a rare and serious case of acute cholecystitis complicated by gallbladder necrosis and biliary peritonitis,which was initially treated conservatively but eventually necessitated emergency laparotomy.The patient initially presented with equivocal symptoms of fever and upper abdominal pain and distention,which worsened at the two weeks mark along with emergence of signs of peritonitis.This was managed by emergency laparotomy and cholecystostomy,allowing rapid symptom relief.The patient ultimately discharged and succumbed to advanced liver cancer 11 months after diagnosis.CONCLUSION After cholecystostomy,the patient showed symptom relief and was discharged,surviving 11 months post-stage IIIB liver cancer diagnosis.展开更多
This article discusses the innovative use of computed tomography radiomics combined with clinical factors to predict treatment response to first-line transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma.Zhao et...This article discusses the innovative use of computed tomography radiomics combined with clinical factors to predict treatment response to first-line transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma.Zhao et al developed a robust predictive model demonstrating high accuracy(area under the curve 0.92 in the training cohort)by integrating venous phase radiomic features with alphafetoprotein levels.This noninvasive approach enables early identification of patients unlikely to benefit from transarterial chemoembolization,allowing a timely transition to alternative therapies such as targeted agents or immunotherapy.Such precision strategies may improve clinical outcomes,optimize resource utilization,and increase survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma management.Future studies should emphasize external validation and broader clinical adoption.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a major health concern in Thailand,with most patients diagnosed at the intermediate stage.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the standard treatment;however,postembolizat...BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a major health concern in Thailand,with most patients diagnosed at the intermediate stage.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the standard treatment;however,postembolization syndrome(PES)remains a common complication.Although both dexamethasone(DEXA)and N-acetylcysteine(NAC)have shown efficacy in reducing PES,no study has directly compared their effects.AIM To compare the incidence of PES between DEXA and NAC in intermediate-stage HCC patients undergoing conventional TACE(cTACE).METHODS A randomized,double-blind,controlled trial was conducted at two tertiary hospitals in Thailand from November 2024 to April 2025.Eligible HCC patients(aged 18-70 years)were randomized(1:1)to receive either NAC(150 mg/kg/hour loading dose,followed by 50 mg/kg over 4 hours,then 6.25 mg/kg/hour for 48 hours post-cTACE)or DEXA(8 mg IV 1 hour before cTACE).cTACE was performed by blinded interventional radiologists.The primary outcome was PES occurrence within 48 hours,assessed using South West Oncology Group toxicity coding and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.The secondary outcomes were post-cTACE liver decompensation and the dynamic changes in the albumin-bilirubin(ALBI)score.RESULTS A total of 56 intermediate-stage HCC patients were included(DEXA,n=28;NAC,n=28).Most had preserved liver function,with 92.9%classified as Child-Pugh A.The maximum tumor size was 6.2 cm,and 85.7%had multiple lesions.Additionally,39 patients(69.6%)met the beyond up-to-7 criteria.Overall,27 patients(48.2%)developed PES.After adjusting for confounding factors,the NAC group had a significantly lower incidence of PES than the DEXA group(32.1%vs 64.3%;adjusted odds ratio=0.17,95%confidence interval:0.03-0.87,P=0.033).Only two patients(3.6%)developed post-cTACE liver decompensation.Furthermore,51.8%patients experienced worsening ALBI scores within 48 hours post-procedure;however,the rate of ALBI score worsening did not significantly differ between the groups.CONCLUSION Compared with DEXA,NAC significantly reduces the incidence of PES,regardless of its impact on liver function recovery.Therefore,NAC is a preferable option for reducing PES in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-B stage HCC patients with preserved liver function.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(RFA)has emerged as a promising t...BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(RFA)has emerged as a promising treatment strategy for patients with unresectable HCC.AIM To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TACE combined with RFA compared to TACE alone in the management of primary HCC.METHODS A comprehensive retrospective analysis was conducted at our institution from January 2020 to January 2024,involving 106 patients diagnosed with intermediate to advanced-stage HCC.Patients were divided into two groups:Those receiving TACE alone(n=56)and those undergoing combined TACE and RFA therapy(n=50).Treatment efficacy was assessed based on tumor response rates,serum alphafetoprotein(AFP)levels,and survival outcomes.Statistical analyses,includingχ^(2)tests and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,were performed to compare the outcomes between the two groups.RESULTS The TACE+RFA group demonstrated significantly higher rates of complete response(15 vs 4,P<0.01)and partial response(23 vs 15,P=0.046)compared to the TACE group.Conversely,the TACE group exhibited higher rates of stable disease(25 vs 7,P<0.01)and progressive disease(12 vs 5,P<0.01).Serum AFP levels decreased over time in the TACE+RFA group,while they increased in the TACE group.Survival analysis revealed superior survival outcomes in the TACE+RFA group,with higher survival rates and a prolonged median survival time compared to the TACE group.CONCLUSION The combination of RFA with TACE could offer enhanced treatment response and prolonged survival in patients with primary HCC compared to TACE alone.These findings might support the adoption of multimodal therapeutic approaches,emphasizing the importance of personalized treatment strategies in the management of HCC.展开更多
Background:The high recurrent rate after surgery hinders the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib plus transarte...Background:The high recurrent rate after surgery hinders the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib plus transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)as an adjuvant therapy in HCC patients with high risk of recurrence.Methods:Patients were enrolled from eight hepatobiliary centers in China.The primary endpoint was disease-free survival(DFS).The secondary endpoints were overall survival(OS)and safety.Additionally,propensity score matching(PSM)and other three propensity score analyses were performed to balance the potential baseline bias to validate the conclusion.The adverse events(AEs)were recorded throughout the study.The study was registered at Clinical Trials.gov(NCT03838796).Results:A total of 297 patients were enrolled,with 147 in the LEN+TACE group and 150 in the TACE group.Before PSM,the LEN+TACE group achieved significantly better DFS than the TACE group(19.0 vs.10.0 months,P=0.011).PSM analysis identified 111 matched pairs.After PSM,the LEN+TACE group also showed better DFS(19.0 vs.9.0 months,P=0.018).Other three propensity score analyses yielded similar DFS benefit tendency.Furthermore,favorable OS was also obtained in the LEN+TACE group before PSM.Lenvatinib related AEs of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 28.6%of the patients in the LEN+TACE group.Conclusions:Adjuvant lenvatinib plus TACE might be a promising adjuvant approach for HCC patients with high risk of recurrence,which could significantly prolong DFS and potentially OS with a manageable safety profile.展开更多
In this article we commented on an article published recently by Jiao et al.This retrospective study confirmed that the triple therapy of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with programmed death protein lig...In this article we commented on an article published recently by Jiao et al.This retrospective study confirmed that the triple therapy of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with programmed death protein ligand 1 inhibitors and molecular targeted therapy can significantly reverse TACE resistance in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.Compared with TACE alone,the triple therapy reduced the resistance rate from 38.8%to 9.7%and increased the median progression-free survival and median overall survival by 92.3%and 26.8%,respectively.TACE induces tumor antigen release and upregulates programmed death protein ligand 1,activating the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors while molecular targeted therapy inhibits postembolization vascular regeneration,forming a dynamic synergistic network of embolization-immune activation-vascular inhibition.The maximum tumor diameter,capsule loss,and bilateral distribution were identified as independent predictors.This study provided level I evidence and promoted the transformation of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treatment from single local intervention to an integrated model of local control-systemic treatment.In the future it will be necessary to analyze the dynamic evolution rules of the tumor microenvironment through crossomics strategies,further explore biomarkers,optimize treatment sequences,and conduct multicenter prospective trials to verify long-term survival benefits and guide the optimization of individualized sequential treatment.展开更多
BACKGROUND Primary liver cancer,predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),is a major cause of cancer-related mortality.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is a key palliative option for unresectable HCC.However,pro...BACKGROUND Primary liver cancer,predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),is a major cause of cancer-related mortality.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is a key palliative option for unresectable HCC.However,prognostic outcomes after TACE vary significantly.This study evaluated the prognostic value of the fibrinogen and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(F-NLR)score,serum alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),and prealbumin(PA)in patients undergoing TACE.AIM To investigate the prognostic significance of F-NLR score,AFP,and PA in patients undergoing TACE.METHODS Variables such as F-NLR score,AFP,PA,and other clinical indicators were assessed.Follow-ups determined prognosis as good or poor.Statistical asse-ssments,including receiver operating characteristic analyses,were performed to evaluate the prognostic significance and develop an integrated predictive model.RESULTS A retrospective analysis of 162 patients with primary liver cancer undergoing TACE was conducted.Low F-NLR scores and AFP levels and high PA were significantly associated with a good prognosis.The combined model,which integrated F-NLR,AFP,and PA,demonstrated a favorable prognostic predictive capability,with an area under the curve of 0.933.CONCLUSION Preoperative F-NLR,AFP,and PA are valuable prognostic predictors in patients with HCC undergoing TACE.展开更多
BACKGROUND Currently,there is a notable lack of reliable studies evaluating the impact of multidisciplinary treatment strategies following transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma...BACKGROUND Currently,there is a notable lack of reliable studies evaluating the impact of multidisciplinary treatment strategies following transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),underscoring the urgent need for higher-level research in this area.AIM To investigate the association of multidisciplinary treatment strategies with the immunological,coagulation,and tumor biomarker responses after post-TACE in HCC.METHODS This retrospective analysis included 100 patients with HCC who were categorized based on the treatment approach into the control(patients treated with TACE alone)and experimental groups(patients receiving multidisciplinary treatment strategies post-TACE).Participant characteristics,short-term efficacy,and safety assessment as well as immunological,coagulation,and tumor biomarker res-ponses between the two groups were collected and compared.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the experimental group demonstrated a superior overall response rate,along with an increased fibrinogen,markedly improved immunological biomarker,lower prothrombin time,thrombin time,alpha-fetoprotein,carcinoembryonic antigen,and carbohydrate antigen 199 levels,as well as a decreased abnormal prothrombin incidence,and a lower overall rate of adverse reactions.Notably,no significant difference in the activated partial thromboplastin time and D-dimer levels was observed between the two groups.CONCLUSION Multidisciplinary treatment strategies post-TACE have improved the treatment outcome,the immunological response,and the coagulation function,lowered the tumor biomarker response levels,and reduced the risk of adverse reactions in patients with HCC.展开更多
BACKGROUND Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with lenvatinib is an important modality for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).To date,no prognostic analysis exists for clin...BACKGROUND Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with lenvatinib is an important modality for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).To date,no prognostic analysis exists for clinical predictive models of TACE combined with lenvatinib in treating advanced unresectable HCC.A model was constructed through meta-analysis,and its validation was further enhanced by the collection of external clinical data,thereby providing guidance for clinical practice.AIM To identify risk factors for unresectable HCC following TACE plus lenvatinib therapy and to construct a clinical prediction model.METHODS We searched PubMed,Web of Science,EMBASE,and Cochrane Library databases for studies on TACE plus lenvatinib for unresectable HCC.Risk factors from the meta-analysis and sensitivity analyses were used to construct a prediction model.The validation set included clinical data from 106 eligible patients at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College collected by June 1,2023.RESULTS This study included 43 group studies involving 5070 patients.Tumor number,microvascular invasion,Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status,Child-Pugh stage,Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage,extra-hepatic metastases,alpha-fetoprotein level,and hepatitis B virus status were risk factors for overall survival and progression-free survival,while triple therapy was a protective factor for both.In the validation set,the overall survival prediction model had area under the curve values of 0.616,0.643,and 0.706 at 1 year,2 years,and 3 years,respectively,and the progression-free survival model had area under the curve values of 0.702,0.696,and 0.670 at the corresponding time points,demonstrating good model performance.Calibration curves,Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,and decision curves further validated the efficacy of the model.CONCLUSION Models based on nine variables from 43 group studies predicted the efficacy of TACE plus lenvatinib in unresectable HCC,supporting evidence-based clinical decisions and treatment strategies.展开更多
基金supported by a grant from the Nursing Re-search Program of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Univer-sity School of Medicine(No.2022ZYHL045).
文摘To the Editor:We read with great interest the recent article by Shi et al.pub-lished in Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Diseases International[1].Shi’s study was based on radiological features and clinical factors to construct a model to predict the effectiveness of first transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in prolonging patient survival.The results showed that area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.964 for the training cohort and 0.949 for the validation cohort.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a common tumor with a poor prognosis.Early intervention is essential;thus,good prognostic markers to identify patients who benefit from first transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)are needed.AIM To investigate the efficacy of computed tomography(CT)radiomics in predicting the success of the first TACE in patients with advanced HCC and to develop an early prediction model based on clinical radiomics features.METHODS Data from 122 patients with advanced HCC treated with TACE were analyzed.Intratumoral and peritumoral areas on arterial and venous CT images were selected to extract radiomic features,which were screened in the training cohort using the minimum redundancy maximum correlation.Then,support vector machines were used to construct the model.To construct a receiver operating characteristic curve,the predictive efficacy of each model was evaluated on the basis of the area under the curve(AUC).RESULTS Among the 122 patients,72 patients were effectively treated via TACE,and in 50 patients,this treatment was ineffective.In the radiomics model,the areas under the curve of the venous phase model were 0.867(95%CI:0.790-0.940)in the training cohort and 0.755(0.600-0.910)in the validation cohort,indicating good predictive efficacy.The multivariate logistic regression results indicated that preoperative alpha-fetoprotein levels(P=0.01)were a risk factor for TACE.The screened clinical features were combined with the radiomic features to construct a combined model.This combined model had an AUC of 0.92(0.87-0.95)in the training cohort and 0.815(0.67-0.95)in the validation cohort.CONCLUSION CT radiomics has good value in predicting the efficacy of the first TACE treatment in patients with HCC.The combined model was a better tool for predicting the first TACE efficacy in patients with advanced HCC and could provide an efficient predictive tool to help with the selection of patients for TACE.
文摘Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)remains one of the most common cancers worldwide.Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization has become a common treatment modality for some patients with unresectable advanced HCC.Since the introduction of nanomaterials in 1974,their use in various fields has evolved rapidly.In medical applications,nanomaterials can serve as carriers for the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to tumour tissues.Additionally,nanomaterials have potential for in vivo tumour imaging.This article covers the properties and uses of several kinds of nanomaterials,focusing on their use in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for HCC treatment.This paper also discusses the limitations currently associated with the use of nanomaterials.
文摘BACKGROUND Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)is a key treatment approach for advanced invasive liver cancer(infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma).However,its therapeutic response can be difficult to evaluate accurately using conventional two-dimensional imaging criteria due to the tumor’s diffuse and multifocal growth pattern.Volumetric imaging,especially enhanced tumor volume(ETV),offers a more comprehensive assessment.Nonetheless,bias field inhomogeneity in magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)poses challenges,potentially skewing volumetric measurements and undermining prognostic evaluation.AIM To investigate whether MRI bias field correction enhances the accuracy of volumetric assessment of infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma treated with TACE,and to analyze how this improved measurement impacts prognostic prediction.METHODS We retrospectively collected data from 105 patients with invasive liver cancer who underwent TACE treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2020 to January 2024.The improved N4 bias field correction algorithm was applied to process MRI images,and the ETV before and after treatment was calculated.The ETV measurements before and after correction were compared,and their relationship with patient prognosis was analyzed.A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate prognostic factors,with Martingale residual analysis determining the optimal cutoff value,followed by survival analysis.RESULTS Bias field correction significantly affected ETV measurements,with the corrected baseline ETV mean(505.235 cm^(3))being significantly lower than before correction(825.632 cm^(3),P<0.001).Cox analysis showed that the hazard ratio(HR)for corrected baseline ETV(HR=1.165,95%CI:1.069-1.268)was higher than before correction(HR=1.063,95%CI:1.031-1.095).Using 412 cm^(3) as the cutoff,the group with baseline ETV<415 cm^(3) had a longer median survival time compared to the≥415 cm^(3) group(18.523 months vs 8.926 months,P<0.001).The group with an ETV reduction rate≥41%had better prognosis than the<41%group(17.862 months vs 9.235 months,P=0.006).Multivariate analysis confirmed that ETV reduction rate(HR=0.412,P<0.001),Child-Pugh classification(HR=0.298,P<0.001),and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage(HR=0.578,P=0.045)were independent prognostic factors.CONCLUSION Volume imaging based on MRI bias field correction can improve the accuracy of evaluating the efficacy of TACE treatment for invasive liver cancer.The corrected ETV and its reduction rate can serve as independent indicators for predicting patient prognosis,providing important reference for developing individualized treatment strategies.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the most common form of liver cancer that has limited treatment options and a poor prognosis.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the first-line treatment for intermediate-stage HCC but can induce tumour hypoxia,thereby promoting angiogenesis.Recent studies suggested that combining TACE with anti-angiogenic therapies and immunotherapy might im-prove efficacy.Lenvatinib,a tyrosine kinase inhibitor,has demonstrated superior outcomes compared to sorafenib,while immune checkpoint inhibitors such as sintilimab show potential when combined with TACE.However,the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with lenvatinib and sintilimab(TACE+SL)compared to TACE with lenvatinib alone(TACE+L)in patients with intermediate-ad-vanced HCC has not yet been investigated.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE+SL therapy in comparison to TACE+L therapy in patients with intermediate-advanced HCC.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with intermediate-advanced HCC who received TACE plus lenvatinib with or without sintilimab between September 2019 and September 2022.Baseline characteristics were compared,and propensity score matching was applied.Overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),and objective response rate(ORR)were evaluated between the two groups,and adverse events were analyzed.RESULTS The study included 57 patients,with 30 in the TACE+SL group and 27 in the TACE+L group.The TACE+SL group demonstrated significantly improved median PFS and OS compared to the TACE+L group(PFS:14.1 months vs 9.6 months,P=0.016;OS:22.4 months vs 14.1 months,P=0.039),along with a higher ORR(70.0%vs 55.6%).After propensity score matching,30 patients were included,with the TACE+SL group again showing longer median PFS and a trend toward improved OS(PFS:14.6 months vs 9.2 months,P=0.012;OS:23.9 months vs 16.3 months,P=0.063),and a higher ORR(73.3%vs 53.3%).No severe adverse events were reported.CONCLUSION TACE+SL demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of OS and PFS,compared to TACE+L.These findings suggest that the addition of sintilimab might enhance the therapeutic response in patients with intermediate-advanced HCC.
基金Supported by 2023 Hebei Provincial Medical Scientific Research Project Plan,No.20231304.
文摘Colorectal cancer(CRC)with liver metastasis remains a significant therapeutic challenge,particularly in cases of postoperative recurrence.While transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)and targeted therapies have shown promise individually,the efficacy combining these for treating postoperative recurrent CRC with liver metastasis requires further investigation.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with targeted therapies for postoperative recurrent CRC with liver metastasis.METHODS This observational study enrolled 75 patients with postoperative recurrent CRC accompanied by liver metastasis between January 2020 and December 2023.All patients received combined treatment with TACE and targeted therapy:Bevacizumab(40 patients,53.3%),cetuximab(25 patients,33.3%),or panitumumab(10 patients,13.3%).Treatment response was evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 criteria,with overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival as the primary endpoints.Quality of life was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire at baseline and after six months of treatment.RESULTS The median OS was 28 months(95%confidence interval:24-32 months),and the median progression-free survival was 12 months(95%confidence interval:10-14 months).Patients treated with bevacizumab showed significantly better survival outcomes than those treated with cetuximab/panitumumab(median OS,30 vs 24 months,P=0.015).The overall response rate was 58.7%,with a disease control rate of 86.7%.Quality of life scores improved significantly across all domains,with greater improvements observed in the bevacizumab group.Treatment-related adverse events were manageable,with grade 3-4 events occurring in 13.3%of the patients and no treatment-related mortality.CONCLUSION The combination of TACE with targeted therapy,particularly bevacizumab,has demonstrated promising efficacy and acceptable safety for the treatment of postoperative recurrent CRC with liver metastasis.This multimodal approach not only improved survival outcomes but also enhanced the patients’quality of life,suggesting its potential as a valuable treatment strategy for this challenging condition.
基金Supported by Sichuan Science and Technology Program,No.2022YFS0625。
文摘BACKGROUND The combination of sorafenib with transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is being investigated for its potential to improve outcomes in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).AIM To evaluate the efficacy of this combined treatment strategy in enhancing overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)compared to monotherapies.METHODS A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines.A comprehensive search was performed across PubMed,EMBASE,Web of Science,and the Cochrane Library up to May 8,2024.Studies were included if they compared sorafenib plus TACE to sorafenib alone or TACE alone in adults with advanced HCC.Primary outcomes were OS,PFS,response rates,and safety profiles.Data extraction and quality assessment were independently performed by two reviewers.Heterogeneity was assessed using the I^(2)statistic,and a random-effects model was applied for pooling data.Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment were also conducted.RESULTS A total of twelve studies involving 1174 patients met the inclusion criteria.Significant heterogeneity was observed for both OS(I^(2)=72.6%,P<0.001)and PFS(I^(2)=83.7%,P<0.001).The combined treatment of sorafenib with TACE significantly improved OS[hazard ratio(HR)=0.60,95%confidence interval(CI):0.44-0.76]and PFS(HR=0.54,95%CI:0.38-0.69).Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings.Funnel plots and Egger's test indicated no significant publication bias.CONCLUSION Sorafenib combined with TACE significantly enhances both OS and PFS in patients with advanced HCC compared to monotherapy.This combination therapy represents a promising approach to improving clinical outcomes in advanced liver cancer.
基金Supported by the Guangzhou Science and Technology Plan Project,No.2023A04J0419National Natural Science Foundation Cultivation Project at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University,No.2022GZRPYQN04.
文摘BACKGROUND Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(iCCA)is the second most common liver malignancy with poor prognosis and limited treatment options.AIM To identify the most effective drug for transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)in cholangiocarcinoma and evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining it with gemcitabine and cisplatin(GemCis)for unresectable iCCA.METHODS Cholangiocarcinoma cell lines(RBE,HuCC-T1)were treated with 10 chemotherapeutic drugs,and cytotoxicity was assessed by cell counting kit-8 assays.Tumorbearing nude mice were treated with idarubicin or GemCis,and tumor growth was monitored.Clinical data from 85 iCCA patients were analyzed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of idarubicin-TACE combined with GemCis.RESULTS Idarubicin demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity,significantly outperforming GemCis,the standard first-line therapies.In tumor-bearing mouse models,idarubicin and GemCis treatments significantly slowed tumor growth,with idarubicin showing particularly pronounced effects on days 12 and 15(P<0.05).In retrospective analysis,the median overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)in the combination therapy group were significantly longer than those in the GemCis alone group(median OS,16.23 months vs 10.07 months,P=0.042;median PFS,7.73 months vs 6.30 months,P=0.023).Additionally,major grade 3/4 adverse events(AEs)in the combination therapy group were abdominal pain(26.3%vs 6.5%,P=0.049)and elevated transaminases(42.1%vs 12.9%,P=0.038).Most AEs were mild to moderate and manageable.CONCLUSION Idarubicin demonstrated higher cytotoxicity than GemCis,significantly inhibiting tumor growth in tumor-bearing mouse models.Preliminary clinical results suggest that local idarubicin-TACE combined with GemCis may offer improved survival outcomes for iCCA patients with a manageable safety profile.
基金Supported by the Peking Union Medical College Hospital Central High-Level Hospital Clinical Research Project,No.2022-PUMCH-B-069。
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatic hemangiomas represent the most prevalent benign liver tumors.Surgical management of large symptomatic hepatic hemangiomas remains controversial and there is an increasing interest in minimally invasive techniques,such as transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)and microwave ablation(MWA).AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with MWA for large hepatic hemangiomas.METHODS This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2015 and January 2024.Eighty-two patients with hepatic hemangiomas>5 cm were divided into two groups:Observation(TACE+MWA,n=50)and control(TACE,n=32).Tumor diameter and treatment outcomes were evaluated at baseline,12 months,and>3 years.Appropriate statistical tests were chosen based on the type and distribution of the data.RESULTS At baseline,the median tumor diameter was 8.3(range:5.0-19.2)cm in the observation group and 8.5(range:5.0-20.0)cm in the control group.The median follow up duration was 44.6(95%confidence interval:36.7-52.5)months.At 12 months post-treatment,the observation group demonstrated a higher tumor reduction ratio compared to the control group(50.98%vs 23.28%,respectively;P<0.001).The objective response rate was 93.94%in the observation group,which was significantly higher than that in the control group(33.33%)(P<0.001).No recurrence occurred in the observation group,while one case occurred in the control group.Notably,no cases of hemoglobinuria or acute kidney injury were reported in the observation group.CONCLUSION Combination treatment enhances tumor shrinkage,promotes long-term tumor control,and reduces the complications associated with MWA,thereby presenting a promising alternative to surgical resection.
基金Supported by the Shenzhen High-Level Hospital Construction Fund,the Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen,No.SZSM202011010Intramural Research Projects of Shenzhen Hospital,Cancer Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,No.SZ2020MS010the Scientific Research Program Fund of Hunan Provincial Health Commission,No.202204014693.
文摘BACKGROUND Lenvatinib and sorafenib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors that are effective in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(uHCC).The efficacy of which of them is better suited to combine transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)for the treatment of uHCC is ripe.RESULTS A total of six studies involving 547 patients were included,248 in the TACE-lenvatinib group and 299 in the TACE-sorafenib group.Meta-analysis results showed that TACE-lenvatinib was more effective than TACE-sorafenib in complete response[relative risk(RR)=1.81,95%confidence interval(CI):1.11-2.96,P=0.02],partial response(RR=1.38,95%CI:1.12-1.70,P=0.002),objective response rate(RR=1.47,95%CI:1.24-1.74,P<0.0001)and disease control rate(RR=1.22,95%CI:1.00-1.49,P=0.05).TACE-lenvatinib was significantly lower than TACE-sorafenib in progressive disease rate(RR=0.54,95%CI:0.39-0.74,P=0.002).No significant difference was found in stable disease rate(RR=0.89,95%CI:0.60-1.33,P=0.58)between the two groups.TACE-lenvatinib was significantly more effective than TACE-sorafenib in overall survival(hazard ratio=2.00,95%CI:1.59-2.50,P<0.05)and progression free survival(hazard ratio=2.04,95%CI:1.49-2.86,P<0.05).As regards adverse events,TACE-lenvatinib was better in reducing the incidence of hypertension than TACE-sorafenib,while no significant difference was found in overall adverse events,abdominal pain,fever,fatigue,nausea and vomiting,decreased appetite,liver dysfunction,hand-foot skin reaction,diarrhea,thrombocytopenia,and rash between the two groups.CONCLUSION In patients with uHCC,TACE-lenvatinib induced a better tumor response rate and survival outcome than TACE-sorafenib,while TACE-lenvatinib resulted in a higher incidence of hypertension than TACE-sorafenib.However,these conclusions are derived from currently available medical evidence,and further confirmation by more rigorously designed randomized controlled studies is still needed.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and currently lacks effective treatment options.This is particularly true for advanced HCC,for which conventional therapies often lead to a poor prognosis.AIM To assess the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)with donafenib and immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)for unresectable HCC.METHODS We retrospectively assessed the data of patients with HCC who underwent TACE combined with donafenib and an ICI(tislelizumab or cedilimumab).Patients received oral donafenib daily for 2 weeks before TACE,followed by tislelizumab or cedilimumab 200 mg intravenously on day 1 of a 21-day therapeutic cycle.The primary endpoints were objective response rate,disease control rate,and duration of response according to the modified RECIST criteria.The secondary endpoint was presence of treatment-related adverse events(TRAEs).RESULTS The median follow-up was 7.8 months(95%CI:5.0-11.8 months).The objective response rate was 60.0%(18/30),while the disease control rate was 93.3%.The median duration of response in confirmed responders was 6.6 months(95%CI:1.3-12.9 months).The median progression-free survival was 11.8 months(95%CI:8.3-15.4 months).More than half of the patients survived until the end of the study.Grade>3 TRAEs occurred in 40%of the patients with no grade 5 TRAEs reported.The most common grade 3/4 TRAE was palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia,a dermatologic condition characterized by painful redness and swelling of the palms and soles,with an incidence of 56.7%.No ICI-related adverse effects were observed.CONCLUSION TACE combined with donafenib and ICI is a promising and safe therapeutic regimen for unresectable HCC.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82200686Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital Incubation Project,No.2022YJY-14.
文摘BACKGROUND Acute cholecystitis due to unintended cystic artery embolism is an uncommon and mostly self-limiting complication after transarterial chemoembolization procedure for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.Usually,conservative management is sufficient for complete recovery of patients who develop this complication.If conservative treatment is ineffective,urgent surgical inter-vention may be required to prevent the progression of complications.CASE SUMMARY This article reports a rare and serious case of acute cholecystitis complicated by gallbladder necrosis and biliary peritonitis,which was initially treated conservatively but eventually necessitated emergency laparotomy.The patient initially presented with equivocal symptoms of fever and upper abdominal pain and distention,which worsened at the two weeks mark along with emergence of signs of peritonitis.This was managed by emergency laparotomy and cholecystostomy,allowing rapid symptom relief.The patient ultimately discharged and succumbed to advanced liver cancer 11 months after diagnosis.CONCLUSION After cholecystostomy,the patient showed symptom relief and was discharged,surviving 11 months post-stage IIIB liver cancer diagnosis.
文摘This article discusses the innovative use of computed tomography radiomics combined with clinical factors to predict treatment response to first-line transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma.Zhao et al developed a robust predictive model demonstrating high accuracy(area under the curve 0.92 in the training cohort)by integrating venous phase radiomic features with alphafetoprotein levels.This noninvasive approach enables early identification of patients unlikely to benefit from transarterial chemoembolization,allowing a timely transition to alternative therapies such as targeted agents or immunotherapy.Such precision strategies may improve clinical outcomes,optimize resource utilization,and increase survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma management.Future studies should emphasize external validation and broader clinical adoption.
基金Supported by Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital,Navamindradhiraj University Research Fund,No.1-67.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a major health concern in Thailand,with most patients diagnosed at the intermediate stage.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the standard treatment;however,postembolization syndrome(PES)remains a common complication.Although both dexamethasone(DEXA)and N-acetylcysteine(NAC)have shown efficacy in reducing PES,no study has directly compared their effects.AIM To compare the incidence of PES between DEXA and NAC in intermediate-stage HCC patients undergoing conventional TACE(cTACE).METHODS A randomized,double-blind,controlled trial was conducted at two tertiary hospitals in Thailand from November 2024 to April 2025.Eligible HCC patients(aged 18-70 years)were randomized(1:1)to receive either NAC(150 mg/kg/hour loading dose,followed by 50 mg/kg over 4 hours,then 6.25 mg/kg/hour for 48 hours post-cTACE)or DEXA(8 mg IV 1 hour before cTACE).cTACE was performed by blinded interventional radiologists.The primary outcome was PES occurrence within 48 hours,assessed using South West Oncology Group toxicity coding and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.The secondary outcomes were post-cTACE liver decompensation and the dynamic changes in the albumin-bilirubin(ALBI)score.RESULTS A total of 56 intermediate-stage HCC patients were included(DEXA,n=28;NAC,n=28).Most had preserved liver function,with 92.9%classified as Child-Pugh A.The maximum tumor size was 6.2 cm,and 85.7%had multiple lesions.Additionally,39 patients(69.6%)met the beyond up-to-7 criteria.Overall,27 patients(48.2%)developed PES.After adjusting for confounding factors,the NAC group had a significantly lower incidence of PES than the DEXA group(32.1%vs 64.3%;adjusted odds ratio=0.17,95%confidence interval:0.03-0.87,P=0.033).Only two patients(3.6%)developed post-cTACE liver decompensation.Furthermore,51.8%patients experienced worsening ALBI scores within 48 hours post-procedure;however,the rate of ALBI score worsening did not significantly differ between the groups.CONCLUSION Compared with DEXA,NAC significantly reduces the incidence of PES,regardless of its impact on liver function recovery.Therefore,NAC is a preferable option for reducing PES in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-B stage HCC patients with preserved liver function.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(RFA)has emerged as a promising treatment strategy for patients with unresectable HCC.AIM To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TACE combined with RFA compared to TACE alone in the management of primary HCC.METHODS A comprehensive retrospective analysis was conducted at our institution from January 2020 to January 2024,involving 106 patients diagnosed with intermediate to advanced-stage HCC.Patients were divided into two groups:Those receiving TACE alone(n=56)and those undergoing combined TACE and RFA therapy(n=50).Treatment efficacy was assessed based on tumor response rates,serum alphafetoprotein(AFP)levels,and survival outcomes.Statistical analyses,includingχ^(2)tests and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,were performed to compare the outcomes between the two groups.RESULTS The TACE+RFA group demonstrated significantly higher rates of complete response(15 vs 4,P<0.01)and partial response(23 vs 15,P=0.046)compared to the TACE group.Conversely,the TACE group exhibited higher rates of stable disease(25 vs 7,P<0.01)and progressive disease(12 vs 5,P<0.01).Serum AFP levels decreased over time in the TACE+RFA group,while they increased in the TACE group.Survival analysis revealed superior survival outcomes in the TACE+RFA group,with higher survival rates and a prolonged median survival time compared to the TACE group.CONCLUSION The combination of RFA with TACE could offer enhanced treatment response and prolonged survival in patients with primary HCC compared to TACE alone.These findings might support the adoption of multimodal therapeutic approaches,emphasizing the importance of personalized treatment strategies in the management of HCC.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(91959203,82272836 and 82373017)。
文摘Background:The high recurrent rate after surgery hinders the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib plus transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)as an adjuvant therapy in HCC patients with high risk of recurrence.Methods:Patients were enrolled from eight hepatobiliary centers in China.The primary endpoint was disease-free survival(DFS).The secondary endpoints were overall survival(OS)and safety.Additionally,propensity score matching(PSM)and other three propensity score analyses were performed to balance the potential baseline bias to validate the conclusion.The adverse events(AEs)were recorded throughout the study.The study was registered at Clinical Trials.gov(NCT03838796).Results:A total of 297 patients were enrolled,with 147 in the LEN+TACE group and 150 in the TACE group.Before PSM,the LEN+TACE group achieved significantly better DFS than the TACE group(19.0 vs.10.0 months,P=0.011).PSM analysis identified 111 matched pairs.After PSM,the LEN+TACE group also showed better DFS(19.0 vs.9.0 months,P=0.018).Other three propensity score analyses yielded similar DFS benefit tendency.Furthermore,favorable OS was also obtained in the LEN+TACE group before PSM.Lenvatinib related AEs of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 28.6%of the patients in the LEN+TACE group.Conclusions:Adjuvant lenvatinib plus TACE might be a promising adjuvant approach for HCC patients with high risk of recurrence,which could significantly prolong DFS and potentially OS with a manageable safety profile.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82404058Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning,No.2024ZZ2049Beijing Xisike Clinical Oncology Research Foundation,No.Y-HS202401-0011.
文摘In this article we commented on an article published recently by Jiao et al.This retrospective study confirmed that the triple therapy of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with programmed death protein ligand 1 inhibitors and molecular targeted therapy can significantly reverse TACE resistance in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.Compared with TACE alone,the triple therapy reduced the resistance rate from 38.8%to 9.7%and increased the median progression-free survival and median overall survival by 92.3%and 26.8%,respectively.TACE induces tumor antigen release and upregulates programmed death protein ligand 1,activating the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors while molecular targeted therapy inhibits postembolization vascular regeneration,forming a dynamic synergistic network of embolization-immune activation-vascular inhibition.The maximum tumor diameter,capsule loss,and bilateral distribution were identified as independent predictors.This study provided level I evidence and promoted the transformation of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treatment from single local intervention to an integrated model of local control-systemic treatment.In the future it will be necessary to analyze the dynamic evolution rules of the tumor microenvironment through crossomics strategies,further explore biomarkers,optimize treatment sequences,and conduct multicenter prospective trials to verify long-term survival benefits and guide the optimization of individualized sequential treatment.
基金Supported by Health Commission of Heilongjiang Province,No.0230404080031.
文摘BACKGROUND Primary liver cancer,predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),is a major cause of cancer-related mortality.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is a key palliative option for unresectable HCC.However,prognostic outcomes after TACE vary significantly.This study evaluated the prognostic value of the fibrinogen and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(F-NLR)score,serum alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),and prealbumin(PA)in patients undergoing TACE.AIM To investigate the prognostic significance of F-NLR score,AFP,and PA in patients undergoing TACE.METHODS Variables such as F-NLR score,AFP,PA,and other clinical indicators were assessed.Follow-ups determined prognosis as good or poor.Statistical asse-ssments,including receiver operating characteristic analyses,were performed to evaluate the prognostic significance and develop an integrated predictive model.RESULTS A retrospective analysis of 162 patients with primary liver cancer undergoing TACE was conducted.Low F-NLR scores and AFP levels and high PA were significantly associated with a good prognosis.The combined model,which integrated F-NLR,AFP,and PA,demonstrated a favorable prognostic predictive capability,with an area under the curve of 0.933.CONCLUSION Preoperative F-NLR,AFP,and PA are valuable prognostic predictors in patients with HCC undergoing TACE.
文摘BACKGROUND Currently,there is a notable lack of reliable studies evaluating the impact of multidisciplinary treatment strategies following transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),underscoring the urgent need for higher-level research in this area.AIM To investigate the association of multidisciplinary treatment strategies with the immunological,coagulation,and tumor biomarker responses after post-TACE in HCC.METHODS This retrospective analysis included 100 patients with HCC who were categorized based on the treatment approach into the control(patients treated with TACE alone)and experimental groups(patients receiving multidisciplinary treatment strategies post-TACE).Participant characteristics,short-term efficacy,and safety assessment as well as immunological,coagulation,and tumor biomarker res-ponses between the two groups were collected and compared.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the experimental group demonstrated a superior overall response rate,along with an increased fibrinogen,markedly improved immunological biomarker,lower prothrombin time,thrombin time,alpha-fetoprotein,carcinoembryonic antigen,and carbohydrate antigen 199 levels,as well as a decreased abnormal prothrombin incidence,and a lower overall rate of adverse reactions.Notably,no significant difference in the activated partial thromboplastin time and D-dimer levels was observed between the two groups.CONCLUSION Multidisciplinary treatment strategies post-TACE have improved the treatment outcome,the immunological response,and the coagulation function,lowered the tumor biomarker response levels,and reduced the risk of adverse reactions in patients with HCC.
文摘BACKGROUND Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with lenvatinib is an important modality for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).To date,no prognostic analysis exists for clinical predictive models of TACE combined with lenvatinib in treating advanced unresectable HCC.A model was constructed through meta-analysis,and its validation was further enhanced by the collection of external clinical data,thereby providing guidance for clinical practice.AIM To identify risk factors for unresectable HCC following TACE plus lenvatinib therapy and to construct a clinical prediction model.METHODS We searched PubMed,Web of Science,EMBASE,and Cochrane Library databases for studies on TACE plus lenvatinib for unresectable HCC.Risk factors from the meta-analysis and sensitivity analyses were used to construct a prediction model.The validation set included clinical data from 106 eligible patients at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College collected by June 1,2023.RESULTS This study included 43 group studies involving 5070 patients.Tumor number,microvascular invasion,Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status,Child-Pugh stage,Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage,extra-hepatic metastases,alpha-fetoprotein level,and hepatitis B virus status were risk factors for overall survival and progression-free survival,while triple therapy was a protective factor for both.In the validation set,the overall survival prediction model had area under the curve values of 0.616,0.643,and 0.706 at 1 year,2 years,and 3 years,respectively,and the progression-free survival model had area under the curve values of 0.702,0.696,and 0.670 at the corresponding time points,demonstrating good model performance.Calibration curves,Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,and decision curves further validated the efficacy of the model.CONCLUSION Models based on nine variables from 43 group studies predicted the efficacy of TACE plus lenvatinib in unresectable HCC,supporting evidence-based clinical decisions and treatment strategies.
