Evaluation of the effectiveness of drug-eluting transarterial chemoebolization in hepatocellular carcinoma

Aydan Mutis Alan; Ozkan Alan; Ruslan Asadov; Coskun Ozer Demirtas; Haluk Tarik Kani; Perran Fulden Yumuk; Osman Cavit Ozdogan; Feyyaz Baltacioglu; Feyza Gunduz

doi:10.14744/hf.2022.2022.0048

Evaluation of the effectiveness of drug-eluting transarterial chemoebolization in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatol Forum. 2023 May 18;4(2):53-60. doi: 10.14744/hf.2022.2022.0048. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Authors

Aydan Mutis Alan¹, Ozkan Alan^{2

3}, Ruslan Asadov⁴, Coskun Ozer Demirtas⁵, Haluk Tarik Kani⁵, Perran Fulden Yumuk^{2

3}, Osman Cavit Ozdogan⁵, Feyyaz Baltacioglu⁴, Feyza Gunduz⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkiye.
² Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkiye.
³ Division of Medical Oncology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkiye.
⁴ Department of Radiology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkiye.
⁵ Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkiye.

Abstract

Background and aim: Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) therapy is currently considered as first option therapy in the intermediate stage HCC. The purpose of our study is to assess the efficacy and prognostic factors related to the DEB- TACE therapy.

Materials and methods: The data from 133 patients with unresecetable HCC who were treated with DEB-TACE and followed between January 2011-March 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. To assess the efficacy of therapy, control imagings were performed at 30^th and 90^th days after the procedure. Response rates, survival outcomes, and prognostic factors were investigated.

Results: According to the Barcelona staging system, 16 patients (13%) were in the early stage, 58 patients (48%) were in the intermediate stage and 48 patients (39%) were in the advanced stage. There were complete response (CR) in 20 patients (17%), partial response (PR) in 36 patients (32%), stable disease (SD) in 24 patients (21%) and progressed disease (PD) in 35 (30%) patients. Median follow-up time was 14 months (range 1-77 months). Median PFS and OS were 4 months and 11 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, posttreatment AFP ≥400 ng/ml was found to be an independent prognostic factor on both PFS and OS. Child-Pugh classification and tumor size >7 cm were independent prognostic factors on OS.

Conclusion: DEB-TACE is effective and a tolerable treatment method for unresectable HCC patients.

Keywords: DEB-TACE; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Prognostic factors Presented as oral presentation at 12th National Hepatology Congress in Turkiye in 2019.