Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib: a real winning combination?

Prospective study of TACE combined with sorafenib vs TACE combined with 125I seed implantation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus and arterioportal fistulas

Purpose

To compare the efficacy of TACE combined with sorafenib and TACE combined with ¹²⁵I seed implantation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) combined with arterioportal fistulas (APFs), and discuss the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with ¹²⁵I seed implantation.

Patients and methods

Between January 2017 and December 2018, the clinical data of patients with HCC complicated with PVTT and APFs who were admitted to the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, and Henan Provincial People’s Hospital were prospectively collected. The patients were divided into the TACE+sorafenib (TACE-S) group based on their treatment willingness. There were 26 and 32 patients in the TACE-S and TACE-¹²⁵I groups, respectively. Both groups of patients underwent APFs occlusion during TACE therapy. The embolization effect of APFs was observed and recorded in the two groups, the efficacy of intrahepatic lesions and PVTT was evaluated, and the effects of different treatment methods on the efficacy were analysed.

Results

All patients completed the 3 months follow-up. The improvement rates of APFs in TACE-S and TACE-¹²⁵I groups were 30.77% (8/26) and 68.75% (22/32), respectively, and difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 8.287, P=0.004). The median survival time of TACE-S and TACE-¹²⁵I groups was 8.00 months and 12.8 months, respectively (χ2 = 7.106, P=0.008). Multivariate analysis showed that the PVTT subtype (IIa/IIb) and treatment method (TACE-S or TACE-¹²⁵I) were independent factors affecting the recanalization of APFs in patients (P<0.05).

Conclusion

For patients with HCC with PVTT and APFs, TACE combined with ¹²⁵I seed implantation can effectively treat portal vein tumor thrombus, thereby reducing the recanalization of APFs and prolonging the survival time of patients.

The Efficacy of TACE Combined With Lenvatinib Plus Sintilimab in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Objective

To assess the efficacy and safety of transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) combined with lenvatinib plus sintilimab in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Patients and Methods

The data of patients with unresectable HCC administered a combination therapy with TACE and lenvatinib plus sintilimab were retrospectively assessed. Patients received lenvatinib orally once daily 2 weeks before TACE, followed by sintilimab administration at 200 mg intravenously on day 1 of a 21-day therapeutic cycle after TACE. The primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) by the modified RECIST criteria.

Results

Median duration of follow-up was 12.5 months (95%CI 9.1 to 14.8 months). ORR was 46.7% (28/60). Median DOR in confirmed responders was 10.0 months (95%CI 9.0-11.0 months). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 13.3 months (95%CI 11.9-14.7 months). Median overall survival (OS) was 23.6 months (95%CI 22.2-25.0 months).

Conclusions

TACE combined with lenvatinib plus sintilimab is a promising therapeutic regimen in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.