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Kim GH, Kim JH, Shim JH, Kim SY, Kim PH, Ko HK, Gwon DI, Shin JH, Lee SJ, Chu HH, Won HJ, Shin YM, Kim N. Chemoembolization versus radiofrequency ablation for single small (≤ 3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score matching analysis. Eur Radiol 2024; 34:5517-5528. [PMID: 38329504 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-024-10634-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for patients with single small (≤ 3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and preserved liver function (Child-Pugh class A). MATERIALS AND METHODS The clinical features of treatment-naïve patients who underwent TACE and RFA as first-line treatment were balanced through propensity score matching (PSM). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were local tumor recurrence (LTR) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS The analysis included 440 patients who received TACE, and 430 patients who received RFA. After PSM adjustment (323 pairs), the 5- and 10-year OS rates were 81% and 61%, respectively, in patients who underwent RFA, and 77% and 51%, respectively, for patients who underwent TACE (p = 0.021). Subgroup analyses showed that OS, LTR, and RFS were homogeneously better in the RFA group. CONCLUSION RFA was associated with better survival outcomes than TACE in patients with single small HCC and preserved liver function. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT This large-scale comparative study provides evidence that radiofrequency ablation has a better overall survival rate than chemoembolization for small (≤ 3 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas. KEY POINTS • The relative effectiveness of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for early HCC is unclear. • Overall survival rate was significantly higher in the RFA group. • The effects of RFA on overall survival, local tumor recurrence, and recurrence-free survival were homogeneously better in all subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gun Ha Kim
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea
| | - Jin Hyoung Kim
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea.
| | - Ju Hyun Shim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea
| | - Pyeong Hwa Kim
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea
| | - Heung-Kyu Ko
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea
| | - Dong Il Gwon
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Shin
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea
| | - So Jung Lee
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea
| | - Hee Ho Chu
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea
| | - Hyung Jin Won
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea
| | - Yong Moon Shin
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea
| | - Nayoung Kim
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Abdelmalak J, Strasser SI, Ngu NL, Dennis C, Sinclair M, Majumdar A, Collins K, Bateman K, Dev A, Abasszade JH, Valaydon Z, Saitta D, Gazelakis K, Byers S, Holmes J, Thompson AJ, Howell J, Pandiaraja D, Bollipo S, Sharma S, Joseph M, Sawhney R, Nicoll A, Batt N, Tang MJ, Riordan S, Hannah N, Haridy J, Sood S, Lam E, Greenhill E, Lubel J, Kemp W, Majeed A, Zalcberg J, Roberts SK. Initial Trans-Arterial Chemo-Embolisation (TACE) Is Associated with Similar Survival Outcomes as Compared to Upfront Percutaneous Ablation Allowing for Follow-Up Treatment in Those with Single Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) ≤ 3 cm: Results of a Real-World Propensity-Matched Multi-Centre Australian Cohort Study. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:3010. [PMID: 39272868 PMCID: PMC11394053 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16173010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2024] [Revised: 08/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Percutaneous ablation is recommended in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0/A patients with HCC ≤3 cm as a curative treatment modality alongside surgical resection and liver transplantation. However, trans-arterial chemo-embolisation (TACE) is commonly used in the real-world as an initial treatment in patients with single small HCC in contrast to widely accepted clinical practice guidelines which typically describe TACE as a treatment for intermediate-stage HCC. We performed this real-world propensity-matched multi-centre cohort study in patients with single HCC ≤ 3 cm to assess for differences in survival outcomes between those undergoing initial TACE and those receiving upfront ablation. Patients with a new diagnosis of BCLC 0/A HCC with a single tumour ≤3 cm first diagnosed between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2020 who received initial TACE or ablation were included in the study. A total of 348 patients were included in the study, with 147 patients receiving initial TACE and 201 patients undergoing upfront ablation. After propensity score matching using key covariates, 230 patients were available for analysis with 115 in each group. There were no significant differences in overall survival (log-rank test p = 0.652) or liver-related survival (log-rank test p = 0.495) over a median follow-up of 43 months. While rates of CR were superior after ablation compared to TACE as a first treatment (74% vs. 56%, p < 0.004), there was no significant difference in CR rates when allowing for further subsequent treatments (86% vs. 80% p = 0.219). In those who achieved CR, recurrence-free survival and local recurrence-free survival were similar (log rank test p = 0.355 and p = 0.390, respectively). Our study provides valuable real-world evidence that TACE when offered with appropriate follow-up treatment is a reasonable initial management strategy in very early/early-stage HCC, with similar survival outcomes as compared to those managed with upfront ablation. Further work is needed to better define the role for TACE in BCLC 0/A HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Abdelmalak
- Department of Gastroenterology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Simone I Strasser
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Natalie L Ngu
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Claude Dennis
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Marie Sinclair
- Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Avik Majumdar
- Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Kate Collins
- Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Katherine Bateman
- Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Anouk Dev
- Department of Gastroenterology, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Joshua H Abasszade
- Department of Gastroenterology, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Zina Valaydon
- Department of Gastroenterology, Western Health, Footscray, VIC 3011, Australia
| | - Daniel Saitta
- Department of Gastroenterology, Western Health, Footscray, VIC 3011, Australia
| | - Kathryn Gazelakis
- Department of Gastroenterology, Western Health, Footscray, VIC 3011, Australia
| | - Susan Byers
- Department of Gastroenterology, Western Health, Footscray, VIC 3011, Australia
| | - Jacinta Holmes
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- Department of Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- Department of Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Jessica Howell
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- Department of Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Dhivya Pandiaraja
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Steven Bollipo
- Department of Gastroenterology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Suresh Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Merlyn Joseph
- Department of Gastroenterology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Rohit Sawhney
- Department of Gastroenterology, Eastern Health, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Eastern Health Clinical School, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia
| | - Amanda Nicoll
- Department of Gastroenterology, Eastern Health, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Eastern Health Clinical School, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia
| | - Nicholas Batt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Eastern Health, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia
| | - Myo J Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Stephen Riordan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Nicholas Hannah
- Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - James Haridy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Siddharth Sood
- Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Eileen Lam
- Department of Medicine, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Elysia Greenhill
- Department of Medicine, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - John Lubel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - William Kemp
- Department of Gastroenterology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Ammar Majeed
- Department of Gastroenterology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - John Zalcberg
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Stuart K Roberts
- Department of Gastroenterology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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Liu H, Wang C, Wang R, Cao H, Cao Y, Huang T, Lu Z, Xiao H, Hu M, Wang H, Zhao J. New insights into mechanisms and interventions of locoregional therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma. Chin J Cancer Res 2024; 36:167-194. [PMID: 38751435 PMCID: PMC11090796 DOI: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2024.02.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is responsible for a significant number of cancer-related deaths worldwide and its incidence is increasing. Locoregional treatments, which are precision procedures guided by imaging to specifically target liver tumors, play a critical role in the management of a substantial portion of HCC cases. These therapies have become an essential element of the HCC treatment landscape, with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) being the treatment of choice for patients with intermediate to advanced stages of the disease. Other locoregional therapies, like radiofrequency ablation, are highly effective for small, early-stage HCC. Nevertheless, the advent of targeted immunotherapy has challenged these established treatments. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown remarkable efficacy in clinical settings. However, their specific uses and the development of resistance in subsequent treatments have led clinicians to reevaluate the future direction of HCC therapy. This review concentrates on the distinct features of both systemic and novel locoregional therapies. We investigate their effects on the tumor microenvironment at the molecular level and discuss how targeted immunotherapy can be effectively integrated with locoregional therapies. We also examine research findings from retrospective studies and randomized controlled trials on various combined treatment regimens, assessing their validity to determine the future evolution of locoregional therapies within the framework of personalized, comprehensive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanyuan Liu
- Department of General surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210019, China
| | - Chunmei Wang
- Department of Oncology, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Ruiqiang Wang
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Hengsong Cao
- Department of General surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210019, China
| | - Yongfang Cao
- Department of General surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210019, China
| | - Tian Huang
- Hepatobiliary/Liver Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Zhengqing Lu
- Hepatobiliary/Liver Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Hua Xiao
- Department of General surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210019, China
| | - Mengcheng Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211103, China
| | - Hanjin Wang
- Department of General surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210019, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Affiliated Changzhou Second People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213001, China
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Lim J, Kim E, Kim S, Kim SY, Kim JH, Yoon SM, Shim JH. Chemoembolization versus Radiotherapy for Single Hepatocellular Carcinomas of ≤3 cm Unsuitable for Image-Guided Tumor Ablation. Gut Liver 2024; 18:125-134. [PMID: 37605878 PMCID: PMC10791502 DOI: 10.5009/gnl230080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Local ablation therapy (LAT) is primarily recommended for solitary inoperable hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) of ≤3 cm in diameter. However, only two-thirds of uninodular small HCCs are suitable for LAT, and the second-best treatment option for managing these nodules is unclear. We aimed to compare the therapeutic outcomes of chemoembolization and radiotherapy in small HCCs unsuitable for LAT. Methods The study included 651 patients from a tertiary referral center who underwent planning sonography for LAT. These patients had 801 solitary HCCs of ≤3 cm in diameter and were treated with LAT, chemoembolization, or radiotherapy. Local tumor progression (LTP)-free survival and overall survival (OS) were measured according to the type of treatment of the index nodule. Results LAT, chemoembolization, and radiotherapy were used to treat 561, 185, and 55 nodules in 467, 148, and 36 patients, respectively. LTP-free survival was significantly shorter in patients treated with chemoembolization than for those treated with LAT (multivariate hazard ratio [HR], 2.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61 to 3.47) but not for those treated with radiotherapy (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.38 to 1.83). However, OS was not affected by treatment modality. Matching and weighting analyses confirmed that radiotherapy gave comparable results to chemoembolization in terms of OS despite better LTP-free survival (HR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.13 to 7.47 and HR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.11 to 8.48, respectively). Conclusions Our data suggest that chemoembolization and radiotherapy are equally effective options for single small HCCs found to be unsuitable for LAT after sonographic planning. Betterfit indications for each procedure should be established by specifically designed studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihye Lim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Departments of
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Departments of
| | - Euichang Kim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Departments of
| | - Sehee Kim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Departments of
| | | | | | - Sang Min Yoon
- Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ju Hyun Shim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Departments of
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Dumago MP, Agas RAF, Jainar CJE, Yap ET, Co LBA, Ortin TTS. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy With or Without Transarterial Chemoembolization Versus Transarterial Chemoembolization Alone in Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Gastrointest Cancer 2023; 54:1058-1070. [PMID: 37306936 DOI: 10.1007/s12029-023-00940-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to review the current evidence on the utility of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), with or without transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (ESHCC) patients not amenable to standard curative treatment options. METHODS Literature search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Comparative studies reporting oncologic outcomes were included in the review. RESULTS Five studies (one phase II randomized controlled trial, one prospective cohort, three retrospective studies) compared SBRT versus TACE. Pooled analysis showed an overall survival (OS) benefit after 3 years (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.17-2.34, p = 0.005) which persisted in the 5-year data (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.06-2.22, p = 0.02) in favor of SBRT. RFS benefit with SBRT was also seen at 3 years (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.03-4.11, p = 0.04) which continued after 5 years (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.47-3.75, p = 0.0004). Pooled 2-year local control (LC) favored SBRT over TACE (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.89-4.63, p < 0.00001). Two retrospective studies compared TACE + SBRT versus TACE alone. Pooled analysis showed significantly improved 3-year OS (OR 5.47; 95% CI 2.47-12.11, p < 0.0001) and LC (OR: 21.05; 95% CI 5.01-88.39, p ≤ 0.0001) in favor of the TACE + SBRT group. A phase III study showed significantly improved LC and PFS with SBRT after failed TACE/TAE versus further TACE/TAE. CONCLUSIONS Taking into account the limitations of the included studies, our review suggests significantly improved clinical outcomes in all groups having SBRT as a component of treatment versus TACE alone or further TACE. Larger prospective studies are warranted to further define the role of SBRT and TACE for ESHCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Dumago
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Benavides Cancer Institute, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines.
| | - Ryan Anthony F Agas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Benavides Cancer Institute, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines
- Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Radiation Oncology, Benavides Cancer Institute, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Carl Jay E Jainar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Benavides Cancer Institute, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Eugene T Yap
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Benavides Cancer Institute, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | | | - Teresa T Sy Ortin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Benavides Cancer Institute, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines
- Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Radiation Oncology, Benavides Cancer Institute, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
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Muñoz-Martínez S, Sapena V, García-Criado Á, Darnell A, Forner A, Belmonte E, Sanduzzi-Zamparelli M, Rimola J, Soler A, Llarch N, Iserte G, Mauro E, Ayuso C, Rios J, Bruix J, Vilana R, Reig M. Risk of Treatment Failure and Death after Ablation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients-A Multiparametric Prediction. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3269. [PMID: 37444380 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ablation is a first-line treatment for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)-0/A hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there are scarce data about patients' outcomes after recurrence. The present study evaluates the impact of patient and tumor characteristics at baseline and at recurrence on the Clinical Decision-Making process. METHODS We evaluated BCLC-0/A patients treated with percutaneous ablation from January 2010 to November 2018. Clinical and radiological data such as age, tumor location at ablation, pattern of recurrence/progression, and comorbidities during follow-up were registered. Tumor location was divided into 'suboptimal' vs. 'optimal' locations for ablation. The Clinical Decision-Making was based on tumor burden, liver dysfunction, or comorbidities. The statistical analysis included the time-to-recurrence/progression, censoring at time of death, date of last follow-up or liver transplantation, and time-to-event was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression models to evaluate the risk of an event of death and change of treatment strategy. RESULTS A total of 225 patients [39.1% BCLC-0 and 60.9% BCLC-A] were included, 190 had unifocal HCC and 82.6% were ≤3 cm. The complete response rate and median overall survival were 96% and 60.7 months. The HCC nodules number (Hazard Ratio-HR 3.1), Child-Pugh (HR 2.4), and Albumin-Bilirubin score (HR 3.2) were associated with increased risk of death during follow-up. HCC in 'suboptimal location' presented a shorter time to recurrence. When comorbidities prevented further loco-regional or systemic treatment, the risk of death was significantly increased (HR 2.0, p = 0.0369) in comparison to those who received treatment. CONCLUSIONS These results expose the impact of non-liver comorbidities when considering treatment for recurrence after ablation in the real-world setting and in research trials. Ultimately, we identified an orphan population for which effective interventions are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Muñoz-Martínez
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victor Sapena
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Statistics Core Facility, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ángeles García-Criado
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Radiology Department, CDI, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Darnell
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Radiology Department, CDI, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Forner
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, ICMDM, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ernest Belmonte
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Radiology Department, CDI, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Sanduzzi-Zamparelli
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, ICMDM, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Rimola
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Radiology Department, CDI, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexandre Soler
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Radiology Department, CDI, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Llarch
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, ICMDM, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Iserte
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, ICMDM, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ezequiel Mauro
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Ayuso
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Radiology Department, CDI, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Rios
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Statistics Core Facility, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Bruix
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, ICMDM, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Vilana
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Radiology Department, CDI, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Reig
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Oncology Unit, Liver Unit, ICMDM, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
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Zhong BY, Jin ZC, Chen JJ, Zhu HD, Zhu XL. Role of Transarterial Chemoembolization in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:480-489. [PMID: 36643046 PMCID: PMC9817054 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2022.00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. According to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the first-line recommendation for intermediate-stage HCC. In real-world clinical practice, TACE also plays an important role in early- and advanced-stage HCC. This review article by the experts from Chinese Liver Cancer Clinical Study Alliance (CHANCE) summarizes the available clinical evidence pertaining to the current application of TACE in patients with early-, intermediate-, and advanced-stage HCC. In addition, combination of TACE with other treatment modalities, especially immunotherapy, is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin-Yan Zhong
- Department of Interventional Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhi-Cheng Jin
- Center of Interventional Radiology & Vascular Surgery, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jian-Jian Chen
- Center of Interventional Radiology & Vascular Surgery, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hai-Dong Zhu
- Center of Interventional Radiology & Vascular Surgery, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Correspondence to: Xiao-Li Zhu, Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 188, Shizi Street, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5504-9528. Tel/Fax: +86-512-67780375, E-mail: ; Hai-Dong Zhu, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, 87 DingjiaqiaoRoad, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1798-7641. Tel/Fax: +86-25-83792121, E-mail:
| | - Xiao-Li Zhu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Correspondence to: Xiao-Li Zhu, Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 188, Shizi Street, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5504-9528. Tel/Fax: +86-512-67780375, E-mail: ; Hai-Dong Zhu, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, 87 DingjiaqiaoRoad, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1798-7641. Tel/Fax: +86-25-83792121, E-mail:
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8
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2022 KLCA-NCC Korea practice guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. JOURNAL OF LIVER CANCER 2023; 23:1-120. [PMID: 37384024 PMCID: PMC10202234 DOI: 10.17998/jlc.2022.11.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korean Liver Cancer Association (KLCA) and National Cancer Center (NCC) Korea
- Corresponding author: KLCA-NCC Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee (KPGRC) (Committee Chair: Joong-Won Park) Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang 10408, Korea Tel. +82-31-920-1605, Fax: +82-31-920-1520, E-mail:
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9
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Lee IJ, Chun HJ, Chung JW. 2022 Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guidelines for Transarterial Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: What's New? Korean J Radiol 2023; 24:6-9. [PMID: 36606613 PMCID: PMC9830139 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2022.0510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- In Joon Lee
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
| | - Ho Jong Chun
- Department of Radiology, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Wook Chung
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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10
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2022 KLCA-NCC Korea Practice Guidelines for the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Korean J Radiol 2022; 23:1126-1240. [PMID: 36447411 PMCID: PMC9747269 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2022.0822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
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11
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2022 KLCA-NCC Korea practice guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Mol Hepatol 2022; 28:583-705. [PMID: 36263666 PMCID: PMC9597235 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
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12
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Garcia-Monaco RD, Chung JW, Vilgrain V, Bouattour M, Covey AM. Summary of key guidelines for locoregional treatment of HCC in Asia, Europe, South and North America. Br J Radiol 2022; 95:20220179. [PMID: 35848758 PMCID: PMC9815746 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20220179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide accounting for over 800,000 new cases in 2018, with the highest incidence in Asia and Africa where hepatitis B is the most common risk factor. In Europe, Japan, and the United States, hepatitis C chronic alcohol abuse and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are more common risk factors. Five-year survival is low, less than 20% worldwide. HCC is a particularly challenging disease to treat because therapeutic options and prognosis must also consider hepatitis or cirrhosis independent of the malignancy. Locoregional therapies (LRT) including ablation, arterially directed therapy and external beam radiation are the preferred treatments for patients with good performance status, unresectable disease limited to the liver and preserved liver function. In practice, patients with portal vein tumor thrombus and limited extrahepatic disease may also be considered candidates for LRT. There are several guidelines developed by expert panels provide recommendations on treating this challenging disease including the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer, European Association for the Study of the Liver, European Society for Medical Oncology, American Association for the Study of the Liver Diseases, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. The purpose of this paper is to review the guidelines as they are applied clinically in regions with high incidence of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo D Garcia-Monaco
- Vascular and Interventional Radiology Hospital Italiano, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jin Wook Chung
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Valérie Vilgrain
- Department of Radiology, Department of OncHepatology Hopital Beaujon, APHP.Nord, Clichy, France
| | - Mohamed Bouattour
- Department of Radiology, Department of OncHepatology Hopital Beaujon, APHP.Nord, Clichy, France
| | - Anne M Covey
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Professor of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, United States
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13
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Metformin administration is associated with enhanced response to transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma in type 2 diabetes patients. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14482. [PMID: 36008432 PMCID: PMC9411109 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18341-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is often used as a locoregional therapy for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) when local ablation or resection are not feasible, but incomplete response and recurrence are commonly observed. In this study, we sought to determine the association between metformin administration and TACE outcomes for single nodular HCC in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The retrospective cohort analysis included 164 T2DM patients with single nodular HCC who underwent TACE as an initial treatment, and 91 were exposed to metformin before and after TACE. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to balance covariates. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of tumor response after TACE, and Cox regression analysis assessed independent predictors of local tumor recurrence (LTR) in patients with complete response after TACE. Metformin use was associated with significantly higher objective response rate (ORR) in the overall and PS-matched cohort (79.1% vs. 60.3 and 78.7% vs. 57.5%; p = 0.008 and p = 0.029, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that metformin use was an independent predictor of ORR in all and PS-matched patients (odds ratio = 2.65 and 3.06; p = 0.016 and 0.034, respectively). Cox regression analysis showed metformin administration was an independent predictor for lower LTR in all and PS-matched patients (hazard ratio = 0.28 and 0.27; p = 0.001 and 0.007, respectively). Metformin administration is associated with better initial response and lower local recurrence after TACE for single nodular HCC in T2DM.
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14
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Chen L, Zhang W, Sun T, Ren Y, Sun B, Zhu L, Zhao H, Zheng C. Effect of Transarterial Chemoembolization Plus Percutaneous Ethanol Injection or Radiofrequency Ablation for Liver Tumors. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:783-797. [PMID: 35983562 PMCID: PMC9380831 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s370486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The efficacy of the transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) process combined with percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI, TACE-P) or the radiofrequency ablation (RFA, TACE-R) process was found to be good when used for the treatment of patients suffering from early or intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (eiHCC). The study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of the TACE-P with TACE-A processes followed during the treatment of patients with eiHCC. Methods A total of 241 patients suffering from eiHCC, subjected to TACE-P (147 patients) or TACE-R (94 patients) processes from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2018, were retrospectively reviewed and included. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to reduce selection bias. Results The median overall survival (mOS) and progression-free survival (mPFS) of the TACE-P group were similar to those recorded for the TACE-R group (P>0.05) before using the PSM technique. Similar results were obtained post the use of the PSM technique. In the subgroup analysis after PSM, patients with single tumor (dimension: ≤5 cm), who were subjected to TACE-P-based treatment methods, exhibited worse tumor response than patients subjected to TACE-R-based methods (HR: 1.804, 95% CI: 1.083–3.005, P=0.023). Seven adverse events were reported. A statistically significant difference for all grades of adverse events (and grade III or IV adverse events) between the two groups (all P>0.05) was not reported. Conclusion The benefits and advantages of using the TACE-P based method was similar was those obtained using the TACE-R in patients with eiHCC, especially for patients with a single large tumor or multiple tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Interventional Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Weihua Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Interventional Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Interventional Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanqiao Ren
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Interventional Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Interventional Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Licheng Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Interventional Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Huangxuan Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Interventional Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuansheng Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Interventional Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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15
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Wang CY, Zhou Z, Chang YH, Ho MC, Lu CM, Wu CH, Tsui PH. Ultrasound single-phase CBE imaging for monitoring radiofrequency ablation of the liver tumor: A preliminary clinical validation. Front Oncol 2022; 12:894246. [PMID: 35936752 PMCID: PMC9355697 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.894246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an alternative treatment for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The production of gas bubbles by RFA indicates threshold temperature of tissue necrosis and results in changes in backscattered energy (CBE) when ultrasound monitors RFA. In this study, ultrasound single-phase CBE imaging was used as a means of monitoring RFA of the liver tumor by analyzing the backscattering of ultrasound from gas bubbles in the liver. A total of 19 HCC patients were enrolled in the study. An ultrasound system was used during RFA to monitor the ablation process and acquire raw image data consisting of backscattered signals for single-phase CBE imaging. On the basis of single-phase CBE imaging, the area corresponding to the range of gas bubbles was compared with the tumor sizes and ablation zones estimated from computed tomography. During RFA, ultrasound single-phase CBE imaging enabled improved visualization of gas bubbles. Measured gas bubble areas by CBE were related to tumor size (the Spearman correlation coefficient rs = 0.86; p < 0.05); less dependent on the ablation zone. Approximately 95% of the data fell within the limits of agreement in Bland-Altman plots, and 58% of the data fell within the 95% CI. This study suggests that single-phase CBE imaging provides information about liver tumor size because of the abundant vessels in liver tumors that promote the generation of gas bubbles, which serve as natural contrast agents in RFAs to enhance ultrasound backscattering. Ultrasound single-phase CBE imaging may allow clinicians to determine if the required minimum RFA efficacy level is reached by assessing gas bubbles in the liver tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiao-Yin Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Zhuhuang Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Hsuan Chang
- Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chih Ho
- Departments of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for Functional Image and Interventional Image, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Biomedical Park Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Min Lu
- Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Horng Wu
- Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Po-Hsiang Tsui, ; Chih-Horng Wu,
| | - Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Po-Hsiang Tsui, ; Chih-Horng Wu,
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Chow R, Simone CB, Jairam MP, Swaminath A, Boldt G, Lock M. Radiofrequency ablation vs radiation therapy vs transarterial chemoembolization vs yttrium 90 for local treatment of liver cancer - a systematic review and network meta-analysis of survival data. Acta Oncol 2022; 61:484-494. [PMID: 34846988 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2021.2009563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The comparative effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA), radiation therapy (RT), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and transarterial radioembolization with Yttrium-90 (Y90) relative to one another for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. The aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis is to compare RFA to RT to TACE to Y90 in the treatment of HCC. METHODS Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched up until April 19, 2021. Observational analyses with propensity score matched (PSM) cohort analyses and randomized controlled trials (RCT) reporting on two or more treatments relative to one another with respect to overall survival (OS) and/or progression free survival (PFS) were included. Survival data were extracted from Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and meta-analyzed using a multivariate network meta-analysis. RESULTS After exclusions, 24 RCTs or PSM observational studies reporting on 5549 patients were included. While 1-year OS was greater for Y90 than TACE (RR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.72-0.99), all other 1-year OS comparisons across the 4 modalities yielded similar OS, and there were no differences across any modalities in 2-year and 3-year OS. TACE had a modest PFS advantage relative to RFA (RR 0.81, 95% CI: 0.68-0.95) and RT (RR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.51-0.83) at 2 years. CONCLUSION All modalities assessed resulted in similar OS, which explains the current heterogenous practice patterns. This conclusion may assist in decision making based on administrative and patient costs, and implementation of these modalities. Other factors such as toxicity rate specific to individual patients could not be assessed using network meta-analysis and may also play a role in selection of modality. Further studies, ideally using PSM cohort analyses or RCT study design, reporting on OS, PFS, local control, complete response and toxicity are needed prior to drawing definitive conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Chow
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- New York Proton Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles B. Simone
- New York Proton Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meghan Pooja Jairam
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anand Swaminath
- Juravinski Cancer Centre, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Gabriel Boldt
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Michael Lock
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
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Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Follow-Up Schedule for Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Radiofrequency Ablation. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:3569644. [PMID: 35345515 PMCID: PMC8957434 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3569644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Methods A Markov model was established to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of every 2 months or 2-3 months (2- to 3-month group) versus every 3 months or 3-4 months (3- to 4-month group) posttreatment surveillance in the first two years for HCC after RFA. Transition probabilities and utility values were derived from the literature review. Costs of follow-up were estimated from our institution. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), which was less than $10888 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), was considered cost-effective. Sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the uncertainty of the model. Results The 2- to 3-month group gained 1.196 QALYs at a cost of $2212.66, while the effectiveness and cost of the 3- to 4-month group were 1.029 QALYs and $1268.92, respectively. The ICER of the 2- to 3-month group versus the 3- to 4-month group was $5651.14 per QALY gained, which was less than the willingness-to-pay threshold of 1-time gross domestic product per capita of China ($10888/QALY). One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the model was most sensitive to the utility of progression-free survival. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the 2- to 3-month group had a higher probability of being more cost-effective than the 3- to 4-month group when willingness to pay was over $1088.8. Conclusions Every 2 months or 2-3 months of follow-up intervals were more cost-effective than 3 months or 3-4 months of follow-up intervals. Thus, the intensive follow-up interval in the first two years was recommended for Child-Pugh class A or B HCC patients within the Milan criteria following RFA.
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Role of circulating microRNAs to predict hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in patients treated with radiofrequency ablation or surgery. HPB (Oxford) 2022; 24:244-254. [PMID: 34366240 DOI: 10.1016/j.hpb.2021.06.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loco-regional treatments have improved the survival of patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but tumor relapse is a frequent event and survival rates remain low. Moreover, conflicting evidences address early HCC patients to surgery or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), with the clinical need to find predictive non-invasive biomarkers able to guide treatment choice and define patients survival. METHODS Two independent case series of treatment-naïve HCC patients treated with local RFA, and a cohort of 30 HCC patients treated with liver surgery were enrolled. On the basis of literature evidence, we customized a panel of 21 miRNAs correlated with relapse and prognosis after local curative treatment of HCC. RESULTS Expression levels of let-7c predict tumor relapse after RFA; we also investigated the same panel in a small cohort of HCC patients undergoing surgery, finding no statistically significance in predicting tumor relapse or survival. Moreover, interaction test indicated that let-7c expression levels are predictive for identifying a subset of patients that should be addressed to surgery. CONCLUSION Results from this study could predict prognosis of early HCC patients, helping to address early HCC patients to surgery or RFA treatment.
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Chai B, Wang W, Wang F, Zhou G, Zheng C. Transcatheter chemoembolization plus percutaneous radiofrequency ablation versus laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation: improved outcome for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Hyperthermia 2021; 38:1685-1694. [PMID: 34843653 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2021.1970825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To retrospectively compare the efficacy of transcatheter chemoembolization (TACE) plus percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) (hereafter, TACE + PRFA) and laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) in the treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS From July 2014 to December 2017, 132 consecutive patients with inoperable HCC were treated with TACE + PRFA (n = 86) or LRFA (n = 46). Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed using log-rank test and Cox regression analysis. Propensity score matched (PSM) analyses based on patient and tumor characteristics were also conducted. Additionally, we performed exploratory analyses to determine the effectiveness of TACE + PRFA and LRFA in clinically relevant subsets. RESULTS The baseline characteristics of TACE + PRFA patients displayed relatively inferior liver status and a higher rate of BCLC-B disease. For unmatched patients, median OS (55.0 vs. 42.0 months; p = .019) and RFS (20.0 vs. 11.0 months; p < .001) were significantly longer in TACE + PRFA group than that in the LRFA group. After PSM, 39 matched pairs were identified. The difference in median OS (60.0 vs. 44.0 months; p = .009) and RFS (27.0 vs. 11.0 months; p < .001) between the two groups remained significant. Multivariate analysis in matched patients showed that treatment modality and response to initial treatment were significant predictors of OS and RFS, while recurrence after resection was an independent prognostic factor of OS. The benefits of TACE + PRFA were consistent across all the subgroups examined. The different treatments had shared a similar complication rate. CONCLUSIONS Compared to LRFA, TACE + PRFA results in improved OS and RFS in patients not amenable to resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Chai
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China; People's Hospital of Dongxihu District, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China; People's Hospital of Dongxihu District, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Fuquan Wang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China; People's Hospital of Dongxihu District, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Guofeng Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China; People's Hospital of Dongxihu District, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chuansheng Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China; People's Hospital of Dongxihu District, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Zhang YJ, Chen MS, Chen Y, Lau WY, Peng Z. Long-term Outcomes of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Combined With Radiofrequency Ablation as an Initial Treatment for Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2126992. [PMID: 34570206 PMCID: PMC8477266 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.26992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The long-term outcomes of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are not determined. OBJECTIVE To report the long-term outcomes of TACE-RFA. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study analyzed long-term follow-up data from a phase 3 randomized clinical trial of adults with early HCC conducted from October 2006 to June 2009. Participants were randomly assigned to the TACE-RFA group or the RFA group in a 1:1 ratio and followed up approximately 6 years after the trial was closed. Data analysis was performed March 2020. EXPOSURE In the TACE-RFA group, TACE was performed first, and RFA was done 2 weeks later. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS Of 189 patients who were included (mean [SD] age, 54.3 [12.0] years; 146 [77.2%] men), 94 and 95 patients were assigned to the TACE-RFA group and RFA group, respectively, with their baseline characteristics well matched. Three patients in each group were lost to follow-up. The 5-year and 7-year OS rates for the TACE-RFA group vs the RFA group were 52.0% and 36.4% vs 43.2% and 19.4%, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 0.55; 95% CI, 0.39-0.78; P = .001). The 5-year and 7-year RFS rates for the TACE-RFA group vs the RFA group were 41.4% and 34.5% vs 27.4% and 18.1%, respectively (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49-0.89; P = .007). On subgroup analysis comparing patients who had tumors larger than 3 cm with those who had tumors 3 cm or smaller, the OS and RFS survival rates in the TACE-RFA group (HR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.91-5.35, P < .001) were significantly better than those in the RFA group (HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.30-3.17; P = .002). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study, combined RFA and TACE was associated with better survival than RFA alone on long-term follow-up. Patients with tumors 3 cm or smaller did not benefit as well as patients with tumors larger than 3 cm from the combined treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Jun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Shan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wan Yee Lau
- Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhenwei Peng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Chen LC, Lin HY, Hung SK, Chiou WY, Lee MS. Role of modern radiotherapy in managing patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:2434-2457. [PMID: 34092968 PMCID: PMC8160620 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i20.2434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. Several treatment options are available for managing HCC patients, classified roughly as local, local-regional, and systemic therapies. The high post-monotherapy recurrence rate of HCC urges the need for the use of combined modalities to increase tumor control and patient survival. Different international guidelines offer treatment recommendations based on different points of view and classification systems. Radiotherapy (RT) is a well-known local-regional treatment modality for managing many types of cancers, including HCC. However, only some of these treatment guidelines include RT, and the role of combined modalities is rarely mentioned. Hence, the present study reviewed clinical evidence for the use of different combined modalities in managing HCC, focusing on modern RT's role. Modern RT has an increased utility in managing HCC patients, mainly due to two driving forces. First, technological advancement (e.g., stereotactic body radiotherapy and advanced proton-beam therapy) enables precise delivery of radiation to increase tumor control and reduce side effects in the surrounding normal tissue. Second, the boom in developing target therapies and checkpoint-blockade immunotherapy prolongs overall survival in HCC patients, re-emphasizing the importance of local tumor control. Remarkably, RT combines with systemic therapies to generate the systemic therapy augmented by radiotherapy effect, a benefit now being actively investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Cheng Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Dalin, Chia-Yi 62247, Taiwan
| | - Hon-Yi Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Dalin, Chia-Yi 62247, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi 62102, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Kai Hung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Dalin, Chia-Yi 62247, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yen Chiou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Dalin, Chia-Yi 62247, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
| | - Moon-Sing Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Dalin, Chia-Yi 62247, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
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