Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 microspheres for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization for liver metastases from medullary thyroid cancer

Objectives

Liver metastases occur in 45% of patients with advanced metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) has been proposed to treat liver metastases (LM), especially in neuroendocrine tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the biochemical (calcitonin and carcino-embryonic antigen) and objective response of liver metastases from MTC to TARE.

Methods

TARE is an internal radiotherapy in which microspheres loaded with β-emitting yttrium-90 (90Y) are delivered into the hepatic arteries that supply blood to LM. Eight patients with progressive multiple LM underwent TARE and were followed prospectively. They were clinically, biochemically and radiologically evaluated at 1, 4, 12 and 18 months after TARE.

Results

Two patients were excluded from the analysis due to severe liver injury and death due to extrahepatic disease progression, respectively. One month after TARE, a statistically significant (P = 0.02) reduction of calcitonin was observed in all patients and remained clinically relevant during follow-up; reduction of CEA, although not significant, was found in all patients. Significant reduction of liver tumor mass was observed 1, 4 and 12 months after TARE (P = 0.007, P = 0.004, P = 0.002, respectively). After 1 month, three of six patients showed partial response (PR) and three of six stable disease (SD) according to RECIST 1.1, while five of six patients had a PR and one of six a SD according to mRECIST. The clinical response remained relevant 18 months after TARE. Excluding one patient, all others showed only a slight and transient increase in liver enzymes.

Conclusions

TARE is effective in LM treatment of MTC. The absence of severe complications and the good tolerability make TARE a valid therapeutic strategy when liver LM are multiple and progressive.

Selective internal radiation therapy of metastatic breast cancer to the liver: A meta-analysis

Introduction

The aim of this study is to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) in treating patients with breast cancer with hepatic metastasis.

Method

PubMed and The Cochrane Library were queried from establishment to January 2021. The following keywords were implemented: "breast", "yttrium", and "radioembolization". The following variables and outcomes were collected: publication year, region, sample size, study design, presence of extrahepatic disease, tumor burden, infused radioactivity, breast cancer subtype, previous treatment, median survival time (MST), length of follow-up, adverse events, and radiographical response such as Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), modified RECIST (mRECIST), and Positron Emission Tomography Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (PERCIST).

Results

A total of 24 studies from 14 institutions were included in the present meta-analysis. On the basis of the data from 412 patients, post-embolization MST was 9.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 9.0-11.6] months. Patients with additional extrahepatic metastasis had a poorer survival rate compared with those with localized hepatic metastasis only (MST: 5.3 vs. 15 months, p < 0.0001). Patients with <25% liver tumor burden exhibited more promising survival than those with >25% (MST: 10.5 vs. 6.8 months, p < 0.0139). On the basis of RECIST, mRECIST, and PERCIST criteria, tumor response rate was 36% (95% CI: 26%-47%), 49% (95% CI: 34%-65%), and 47% (95% CI: 17%-78%), respectively, whereas tumor control rate was 85% (95% CI: 76%-93%), 73% (95% CI: 59%-85%), and 97% (95% CI: 91%-100%), respectively.

Conclusion

On the basis of the available published evidence, SIRT is feasible and effective in treating patients with breast cancer with liver metastasis. Patients with lower hepatic tumor burden and without extrahepatic metastasis demonstrated more survival benefit. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted.

Assessment of HCC response to Yttrium-90 radioembolization with gadoxetate disodium MRI: correlation with histopathology

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Transarterial ⁹⁰Y radioembolization (TARE) is increasingly being used for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. However, tumor response assessment after TARE may be challenging. We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of gadoxetate disodium MRI for predicting complete pathologic necrosis (CPN) of HCC treated with TARE, using histopathology as the reference standard.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 48 patients (M/F: 36/12, mean age: 62 years) with HCC treated by TARE followed by surgery with gadoxetate disodium MRI within 90 days of surgery. Two radiologists evaluated tumor response using RECIST1.1, mRECIST, EASL, and LI-RADS-TR criteria and evaluated the percentage of necrosis on subtraction during late arterial, portal venous, and hepatobiliary phases (AP/PVP/HBP). Statistical analysis included inter-reader agreement, correlation between radiologic and pathologic percentage of necrosis, and prediction of CPN using logistic regression and ROC analyses.

RESULTS

Histopathology demonstrated 71 HCCs (2.8 ± 1.7 cm, range: 0.5-7.5 cm) including 42 with CPN, 22 with partial necrosis, and 7 without necrosis. EASL and percentage of tumor necrosis on subtraction at the AP/PVP were independent predictors of CPN (p = 0.02-0.03). Percentage of necrosis, mRECIST, EASL, and LI-RADS-TR had fair to good performance for diagnosing CPN (AUCs: 0.78 - 0.83), with a significant difference between subtraction and LI-RADS-TR for reader 2, and in specificity between subtraction and other criteria for both readers (p-range: 0.01-0.04). Radiologic percentage of necrosis was significantly correlated to histopathologic degree of tumor necrosis (r = 0.66 - 0.8, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Percentage of tumor necrosis on subtraction and EASL criteria were significant independent predictors of CPN in HCC treated with TARE. Image subtraction should be considered for assessing HCC response to TARE when using MRI.

KEY POINTS

• Percentage of tumor necrosis on image subtraction and EASL criteria are significant independent predictors of complete pathologic necrosis in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with⁹⁰Y radioembolization. • Subtraction, mRECIST, EASL, and LI-RADS-TR have fair to good performance for diagnosing complete pathologic necrosis in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with⁹⁰Y radioembolization.

Radiometal-Labeled Chitosan Microspheres as Transarterial Radioembolization Agents against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is an emerging treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study successfully developed radiometal-labeled chitosan microspheres (111In/177Lu-DTPA-CMS) with a diameter of 36.5 ± 5.3 μm for TARE. The radiochemical yields of 111In/177Lu-DTPA-CMS were greater than 90% with high radiochemical purities (>98%). Most of the 111In/177Lu-DTPA-CMS were retained in the hepatoma and liver at 1 h after intraarterial (i.a.) administration. Except for liver accumulation, radioactivity in each normal organ was less than 1% of the injected radioactivity (%IA) at 72 h after injection. At 10 days after injection of 177Lu-DTPA-CMS (18.6 ± 1.3 MBq), the size of the hepatoma was significantly reduced by around 81%, while that of the rats in the control group continued to grow. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of 177Lu-DTPA-CMS in the treatment of N1-S1 hepatoma. 111In/177Lu-DTPA-CMS have the potential to be a superior theranostic pair for the treatment of clinical hepatoma.

Downstaging Conversion Therapy in Patients With Initially Unresectable Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Overview

The high mortality rate associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is partly due to the high proportion of patients who present with advanced stage disease at diagnosis, for whom there are limited treatment options. For selected patients with initially unresectable HCC, locoregional and/or systemic treatments can result in tumor downstaging and consequently provide opportunities for surgical intervention and the potential for long-term survival. Therefore, the key aim of 'conversion therapy' is to reduce tumor burden so that patients become amenable to surgical resection. Various therapies have been investigated as candidates for downstaging patients with potentially resectable HCC including transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres, radiotherapy, systemic therapies and combination or multimodality treatment approaches. However, downstaging conversion therapy remains controversial and there are several challenges such as defining the criteria used to identify the population of patients who are 'potentially resectable', the criteria used to define successful downstaging, and the optimum treatment approach to maximize the success of downstaging therapy. In this review article, we summarize clinical experience and evidence of downstaging conversion treatment in patients identified as having 'potentially resectable' HCC.

Lung shunt fraction calculation using 99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT imaging for 90Y microsphere selective internal radiation therapy of liver tumors

BACKGROUND

^99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (^99mTc-MAA) scintigraphy is utilized in treatment planning for Yttrium-90 (⁹⁰Y) Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) of liver tumors to evaluate hepatopulmonary shunting by calculating the lung shunt fraction (LSF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate if LSF calculation using SPECT/CT instead of planar gamma camera imaging is more accurate and if this can potentially lead to more effective treatment planning of hepatic lesions while avoiding excessive pulmonary irradiation.

RESULTS

LSF calculation was obtained using two different methodologies in 85 cases from consecutive patients intended to receive ⁹⁰Y SIRT. The first method was based on planar gamma camera imaging in the anterior and posterior views with geometric mean calculation of the LSF from regions of interest of the liver and lungs. The second method was based on segmentation of the liver and lungs from SPECT/CT images of the thorax and abdomen. The differences in planar imaging versus SPECT/CT derived LSF values along with the estimated absorbed lung mean dose (LMD) were evaluated. The LSF values were higher in planar imaging versus SPECT/CT in 81/85 cases, with a mean value of 8.5% vs. 4.6% respectively; the difference was statistically significant using a paired t-test (alpha = 0.05). In those patients who received SIRT, the estimated absorbed LMD calculated with planar imaging was significantly higher than with SPECT/CT (t-test, P < 0.005). Repeated phantom experiments using an anthropomorphic torso phantom with variable ^99mTc activity concentrations for the liver and lungs were performed with the standard patient protocol, demonstrated improved accuracy of the LSF calculation based on SPECT/CT than planar imaging (mean overestimated value of 6% vs. 26%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that LSF calculation using planar imaging can be significantly overestimated while calculation using SPECT/CT imaging and appropriate segmentation tools can be more accurate. Minimizing the errors in obtaining the LSF can lead to more effective ⁹⁰Y SIRT treatment planning for hepatic tumors while ensuring the lung dose will not exceed the standard acceptable safety thresholds.

Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE) with 131 Iodine-Lipiodol for Unresectable Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Experience from a Tertiary Care Center in India

Purpose This article presents our experience regarding survival benefits in inoperable intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and advanced stage HCC treated with ¹³¹ I-lipiodol.

Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study of intermediate stage HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer [BCLC] stage B) not responding to prior treatment and/or advanced stage HCC (BCLC stage C) treated with ¹³¹ I-lipiodol. ¹³¹ I-lipiodol was injected into the hepatic artery through transfemoral route. Postprocedure, the patient was isolated for 5 to 7 days. All patients underwent tumor response evaluation after 4 weeks. Survival of patients was calculated up to either death or conclusion of the study.

Results A total of 55 patients (52 males [94.5%], 3 females [5.4%]) were given intra-arterial ¹³¹ I-lipiodol therapy. The median overall survival after transarterial radioembolization (TARE) was 172 ± 47 days (95% confidence limit, 79–264 days). The overall survival at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months was 69, 47, 32, and 29%, respectively. A multivariate Cox regression analysis showed the presence of treatment prior to TARE to most significantly influence survival ( B = 2.161, p ≤ 0.001). This was followed by size of the lesion which was second in line ( B = 0.536, p = 0.034). Among 45 patients, 14 patients (31.1%) showed a partial response, 11 patients (24.4%) showed stable disease, and 20 patients (44.4%) showed progressive diseases.

Conclusion TARE with ¹³¹ I-lipiodol can be a safe and effective palliative treatment in advanced stage HCC and in patients with poor response to prior treatments like transarterial chemoembolization.

Improved Tumor Response in Patients on Metformin Undergoing Yttrium-90 Radioembolization Segmentectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PURPOSE

Metformin is associated with improved outcomes after external radiation and chemotherapy but has not been studied for Y-90 radiation segmentectomy (RS). This study evaluates the effect of metformin on tumor response after Y-90 RS in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A retrospective analysis of patients with HCC who underwent Y-90 RS between 2014-2018 was performed. Comparisons were made between all patients taking and not taking metformin, and diabetic patients taking and not taking metformin. Tumor response was analyzed with logistic regression to compare absolute and percent change in total tumor diameter (TTD) and modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Overall survival (OS) was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier estimation and log-rank analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 106 patients underwent 112 Y-90 RS, of which 40 were diabetic (38.8%) and 19 (18.4%) were on metformin. At baseline, the two groups of patients on metformin and not on metformin had no significant difference in age, Child-Pugh score, MELD score, ALBI grade, total tumor diameter, and size of dominant tumor. The only significant baseline difference was ECOG status. Uni- and multivariate analysis demonstrated a larger reduction in TTD and objective response by mRECIST criteria for patients undergoing Y-90 RS on metformin compared to those not on metformin. OS was similar between patients taking and not taking metformin (p = 0.912).

CONCLUSION

Metformin may be associated with increased tumor response after Y-90 RS in patients with HCC.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, Retrospective Study.

Determination of Tumor Dose Response Thresholds in Patients with Chemorefractory Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Treated with Resin and Glass-based Y90 Radioembolization

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacies of glass and resin-based Yttrium-90 microspheres by comparing absorbed tumor dose (TD) with both tumor response (TR) and overall survival (OS) in patients with chemorefractory intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

METHODS

Post-Y90 treatment bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT of 38 consecutive patients receiving 45 treatments (21 resin microspheres, 24 glass microspheres) were analyzed retrospectively. MIM software v6.9.4 (MIM Software Inc, Cleveland, OH) was used to calculate targeted tumors' dose volume histogram. Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors was used to evaluate tumor response 3 months post-treatment. Kaplan Meier estimation was used for survival analysis. T-test was used to compare the devices on various dosimetric parameters.

RESULTS

Thresholds for TD to predict TR with ≥ 80% specificity were as follows: mean TD (Resin: 78.9 Gy; Glass: 254.7 Gy), maximum TD (Resin: 162.9 Gy; Glass: 591 Gy), minimum TD (Resin: 53.7 Gy; Glass: 149.1 Gy). Microsphere type had no effect on survival from first Y90 (Resin: 11.2 mo; Glass 10.9 mo [p = 0.548]). In patients receiving resin microspheres, mean TD ≥ 75 Gy or maximum TD ≥ 150 Gy was associated with median OS of 20.2 mo compared to 6.5 mo for those receiving less (p = 0.001, 0.002, respectively). For patients treated with glass microspheres, those receiving a mean TD ≥ 150 Gy had a median OS of 14.6 mo vs. 2.6 mo for those receiving less (p = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

TD thresholds predictive of TR and OS differ significantly between glass and resin microspheres. However, microsphere type has no impact on survival in patients with chemorefractory ICC.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3, Retrospective Study.

Quality of Life after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Combined with Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Compared with Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization alone

Aim:

The aim of this study was to assess quality of life (QoL) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) compared to TACE plus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) done at the same sitting, and to assess tumor therapy response after these 2 palliative interventions.

Methods:

73 patients with unresectable HCC (BCLC-B) were included. Patients with tumor ≤ 5 cm were subjected to TACE (N = 45) while patients with tumors > 5 cm were subjected to TACE followed immediately by RFA (N = 28). QoL was evaluated with two validated questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-30 and EORTC HCC18). These questionnaires were filled out before intervention, 2 weeks and 2 months after intervention. Pre/post interventional changes were analyzed. The modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumor (mRECIST) were employed for the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.

Results:

Baseline global health status/QoL was significantly higher in TACE group (64.1%) compared to TACE-RFA group (51.2%). Two weeks after intervention: the absolute decrease in global health state was higher in TACE-RFA (- 12.1%) compared to TACE (- 6.3%, p = 0.411). Less impairment was found in TACE group compared to TACE-RFA group for physical/social functioning, fatigue and pain but it was statistically insignificant. Two months after intervention; TACE-RFA group showed significant improvement in global health score, social and physical functioning scores, as well as significant improvement in pain and fatigue compared to TACE group. The therapeutic efficacy of TACE-RFA was better than TACE alone: complete remission, partial remission, stable disease and progressive disease were 17.9%, 32.1%, 42.9% and 7.1% Vs11.1%, 22.2%, 48.9% and 17.8%, respectively).

Conclusion:

Neither TACE nor TACE-RFA showed a significant decrease in QoL in patients with unresectable HCC two weeks after intervention. However, two months after intervention; TACE-RFA showed significant improvement in global health score compared to TACE monotherapy. TACE-RFA appeared safe, effective and more favorable than TACE monotherapy.

Optimizing the Combination of Immunotherapy and Trans-Arterial Locoregional Therapy for Stages B and C Hepatocellular Cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary hepatic malignancy worldwide, is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Underlying liver dysfunction and advanced stage of disease require treatments to be optimally timed and implemented to minimize hepatic parenchymal damage while maximizing disease response and quality of life. Locoregional therapies (LRTs) such as trans-arterial chemo- and radio-embolization remain effective for intermediate liver-only and advanced HCC disease (i.e., Barcelona-Clinic liver cancer stages B and C) not amendable to primary resection or ablation. Additionally, these minimally invasive interventions have been shown to augment the immune system. This and the recent success of immune-oncologic treatments for HCC have generated interest in applying these therapies in combination with such locoregional interventions to improve patient outcomes and response rates. This report reviews the use of trans-arterial LRTs with immunotherapy for stages B and C HCC, potential biomarkers, and imaging methods for assessing the response and safety of such combinations.

Liver Resection After Selective Internal Radiation Therapy with Yttrium-90: Safety and Outcomes

Introduction

Selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT) with yttrium-90 (Y-90) is an intra-arterial therapy for hepatic malignancy in patients who are unsuitable for surgical resection. This treatment is considered palliative, although some patients can demonstrate a response that is adequate to facilitate surgical resection with curative intent.

Methods

All patients who underwent liver resection post SIRT were reviewed. Data gathered included patient demographics, tumor type, surgical details, and post-operative outcomes.

Results

Twelve patients underwent SIRT followed by liver resection (7 males and 5 females). Pathologies were hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 5), metastatic colorectal cancer (n = 5), and neuroendocrine tumor (n = 2). Lesional response (size, volume, and RECIST (response evaluation criteria in solid tumors)) was calculated and where appropriate functional liver remnant (FLR) is presented. Mean FLR increase was 264cm³ (range − 123 to 909), and all cases demonstrated a partial response according to RECIST with a mean largest lesion volume reduction of 475cm³ (range 14–1632). No post-SIRT complications were noted. Hepatectomy occurred at a mean of 322 days from SIRT treatment. Ninety-day morbidity was 67% (n = 6), complications post-surgery were analyzed according to the Clavien-Dindo classification scale; a total of 15 events occurred in 6 patients. Ninety-day mortality of 11% (n = 1).

Conclusion

In selected cases, liver resection is possible post SIRT. As this can represent a potentially curative option, it is important to reconsider resection in the follow-up of patients undergoing SIRT. Post-operative complications are noted following major and extended liver resection. Therefore, further studies are needed to improve patient selection.

Ischemic Cholangiopathy Following Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Hepatectomy: an Underestimated and Devastating Complication

BACKGROUND

Ischemic cholangiopathy (IC) has a known poor prognosis. However, the risks and outcomes of this complication after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in hepatectomized patients are poorly documented. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of and to identify the predictive factors for IC following TACE for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy.

METHOD

From a cohort with a total of 486 patients who underwent resection for HCC, we included all consecutive patients who were treated with TACE for recurrent HCC after hepatectomy between 2000 and 2017. IC was defined by the coexistence of biological cholestasis and morphological lesions.

RESULTS

A total of 156 patients underwent TACE for the treatment of HCC recurrence after hepatectomy. Of them, eight (5.1%) developed IC. Their prognosis was poor compared with patients without IC (3-year survival 23.4% vs 76.2%; P = 0.008). Two factors, namely, time between hepatectomy and TACE (4.8 months vs. 16.0 months, P = 0.001) and TACE for a remnant liver mobilized during hepatectomy (P = 0.001), were associated with IC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that 7 months was the more discriminant cutoff for the time period. IC occurred in 33.3% of the patients with the two factors, in 5.0% of those with one factor, and 0% in the absence of any factors.

CONCLUSION

TACE for treating HCC recurrence carries a high risk of IC when performed early after hepatectomy in a previously mobilized liver. Our results might aid in identifying candidates for TACE for recurrent HCC, considering the major effect on patient outcomes.

Comparison of Tc-99m MAA Planar Versus SPECT/CT Imaging for Lung Shunt Fraction Evaluation Prior to Y-90 Radioembolization: Are We Overestimating Lung Shunt Fraction?

PURPOSE

To compare lung shunt fraction (LSF) prior to Y-90 radioembolization calculated using planar imaging versus SPECT/CT in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

A single institution retrospective analysis of technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin (Tc-99m MAA) LSF studies for 293 consecutive patients with HCC between 2013 and 2018 was performed. LSF using planar imaging (PLSF) was compared to retrospectively calculated LSF using SPECT/CT (SLSF) via semiautomated segmentation using MIM v.6.9. Sub-analyses of patients were performed based on PLSF range, tumor size, BCLC stage, and Child-Pugh (C-P) score. Mean LSF absolute discrepancy between sub-groups was analyzed. Comparisons were performed using paired t tests and linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Mean PLSF, 8.27%, was greater than mean SLSF, 3.27% (p < 0.001). When categorizing patients by PLSF ranges of < 10%, 10-19.9%, and ≥ 20%, PLSF remained greater than SLSF in all subgroups (p's < 0.001). Patients with PLSF ≥ 20% had a greater absolute discrepancy with SLSF (13.31%) compared to patients with PLSF < 20% (4.74%; p < 0.0001). LSF absolute discrepancy was greater for patients with a maximum liver tumor size ≥ 5.0 cm (5.59%) compared to a liver tumor size < 5.0 cm (4.40%; p = 0.0076). For all BCLC grades and C-P scores, PLSF was greater than SLSF. A greater LSF discrepancy existed for patients with a worse C-P score (C-P A: 4.78%, C-P B/C: 6.12%; p = 0.0081), but not BCLC stage (0/A/B: 4.87%, C: 4.56%; p = 0.5993).

CONCLUSION

In patients with HCC, SLSF is significantly lower compared to PLSF, with a greater discrepancy among patients with a PLSF ≥ 20%, tumor size ≥ 5 cm, and worse C-P score.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3, Retrospective Study.

SIRT Compared with DEB-TACE for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Real-world Study (the SITAR Study)

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is responsible for 1% of deaths worldwide, and the incidence continues to increase. Despite surveillance programs, 70% of HCC patients are not suitable for curative options at diagnosis, and therefore, non-curative treatments are essential to modern clinical practice. There are many novel treatments, though their roles are not well defined. This study aimed to contrast Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) and Drug Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolisation (DEB-TACE) to further define their roles.

METHODS

This was a retrospective multicentre cohort study. Factors included for analysis were type of HCC treatment, number of lesions, lesion size, multiple disease severity scores, cirrhosis and vascular invasion. The primary endpoint was transplant-free survival.

RESULTS

Transplant-free survival was similar between the two cohorts (p = 0.654), despite a variation in median lesion size, SIRT: 54.5 mm, DEB-TACE: 34 mm (p ≤ 0.001). A univariate Cox proportional hazard model utilising treatment modality as the covariate showed no significant difference in survival (DEB-TACE HR 1.4 (95%CI 0.85-2.15 p = 0.207). The size of the largest lesion was the best predictor of 3-year survival (p = 0.035). Lesion size was inversely associated with survival (HR 1.01 (95%CI 1-1.02, p = 0.025)) on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to catalogue the experience of using SIRT in HCC in a real-world Australian population. It has demonstrated no difference in survival outcomes between DEB-TACE and SIRT. Further, it has shown SIRT to be a reasonable alternative to DEB-TACE especially in larger lesions and has demonstrated that DEB-TACE has a role in select patients with advanced disease.

Selective internal radiation therapies for unresectable early-, intermediate- or advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: systematic review, network meta-analysis and economic evaluation

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer. Treatment choice is dependent on underlying liver dysfunction and cancer stage. Treatment options include conventional transarterial therapies for patients with intermediate-stage disease and systemic therapy [e.g. sorafenib (Nexavar®; Bayer plc, Leverkusen, Germany)] for patients with advanced-stage disease. Selective internal radiation therapies deliver radiation to liver tumours via microspheres that are injected into the hepatic artery. There are three selective internal radiation therapies: TheraSphere™ [BTG Ltd, London, UK (now Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA)], SIR-Spheres® (Sirtex Medical Ltd, Woburn, MA, USA) and QuiremSpheres® (Quirem Medical BV, Deventer, the Netherlands).

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of selective internal radiation therapies for treating patients with unresectable early-, intermediate- or advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

A search was undertaken to identify clinical effectiveness literature relating to selective internal radiation therapies and relevant comparators for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Studies were critically appraised and summarised. The network of evidence was mapped to estimate the relative effectiveness of the different selective internal radiation therapies and comparator treatments. An economic analysis evaluated the cost-effectiveness.

RESULTS

Twenty studies were included in the clinical effectiveness review. Two large randomised controlled trials rated as having a low risk of bias [SARAH: Vilgrain V, Pereira H, Assenat E, Guiu B, Ilonca AD, Pageaux GP, et al. Efficacy and safety of selective internal radiotherapy with yttrium-90 resin microspheres compared with sorafenib in locally advanced and inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (SARAH): an open-label randomised controlled Phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol 2017;18:1624-36; and SIRveNIB: Chow PKH, Gandhi M, Tan SB, Khin MW, Khasbazar A, Ong J, et al. SIRveNIB: selective internal radiation therapy versus sorafenib in Asia-Pacific patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. J Clin Oncol 2018;36:1913-21] found no significant difference in overall survival or progression-free survival between SIR-Spheres and sorafenib (systemic therapy) in an advanced population, despite greater tumour response in the SIR-Spheres arm of both trials. There were some concerns regarding generalisability of the SARAH and SIRveNIB trials to UK practice. All other studies of SIR-Spheres, TheraSphere or QuiremSpheres were either rated as being at a high risk of bias or caused some concerns regarding bias. A network meta-analysis was conducted in adults with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who had Child-Pugh class A liver cirrhosis and were ineligible for conventional transarterial therapies. The analysis included the SARAH and SIRveNIB trials as well as a trial comparing lenvatinib (Kisplyx®; Eisai Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) (systemic therapy) with sorafenib. There were no meaningful differences in overall survival between any of the treatments. The base-case economic analysis suggested that TheraSphere may be cost-saving relative to both SIR-Spheres and QuiremSpheres. However, incremental cost differences between TheraSphere and SIR-Spheres were small. In a fully incremental analysis, which included confidential Patient Access Scheme discounts, lenvatinib was the most cost-effective treatment and dominated all selective internal radiation therapies. In pairwise comparisons of sorafenib with each selective internal radiation therapy, sorafenib also dominated all selective internal radiation therapies.

LIMITATIONS

The existing evidence cannot provide decision-makers with clear guidance on the comparative effectiveness of treatments in early- and intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma or on the efficacy of TheraSphere or QuiremSpheres.

CONCLUSIONS

In the advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma population, two large randomised trials have shown that SIR-Spheres have similar clinical effectiveness to sorafenib. None of the selective internal radiation therapies was cost-effective, being more costly and less effective than lenvatinib, both at list price and with Patient Access Scheme discounts.

FUTURE WORK

Future studies may wish to include early- and intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma patients and the low tumour burden/albumin-bilirubin 1 subgroup of advanced-stage patients. Future high-quality studies evaluating alternative selective internal radiation therapies would be beneficial.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42019128383.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 24, No. 48. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Methods for selecting the best evidence to inform a NICE technology appraisal on selective internal radiation therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Systematic reviews of medical devices are particularly challenging as the quality of evidence tends to be more limited than evidence on pharmaceutical products. This article describes the methods used to identify, select and critically appraise the best available evidence on selective internal radiation therapy devices for treating hepatocellular carcinoma, to inform a technology appraisal for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of ten medical databases and six grey literature sources was undertaken to identify studies of three devices (TheraSphere®, SIR-Spheres® and QuiremSpheres®) for treating hepatocellular carcinoma. The large evidence base was scoped before deciding what level of evidence to include for data extraction and critical appraisal. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using criteria relevant to each study design.

RESULTS

Electronic searches identified 4755 records; over 1000 met eligibility criteria after screening titles and abstracts. A hierarchical process was used to scope these records, prioritising comparative studies over non-comparative studies, where available. One hundred ninety-four full papers were ordered; 64 met the eligibility criteria. For each intervention, studies were prioritised by study design and applicability to current UK practice, resulting in 20 studies subjected to critical appraisal and data extraction. Only two trials had a low overall risk of bias. In view of the poor quality of the research evidence, our technology appraisal focused on the two higher quality trials, including a thorough critique of their reliability and generalisability to current UK practice. The 18 poorer quality studies were briefly summarised; many were very small and results were often contradictory. No definitive conclusions could be drawn from the poorer quality research evidence available.

CONCLUSIONS

A systematic, pragmatic process was used to select and critically appraise the vast quantity of research evidence available in order to present the most reliable evidence on which to develop recommendations.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42019128383.

Locoregional Therapy Approaches for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Recent Advances and Management Strategies

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. While surgical resection and transplantation are the standard first-line treatments for early-stage HCC, most patients do not fulfill criteria for surgery. Fortunately, catheter-directed and percutaneous locoregional approaches have evolved as major treatment modalities for unresectable HCC. Improved outcomes have been achieved with novel techniques which can be employed for diverse applications ranging from curative-intent for small localized tumors, to downstaging or bridging to resection and transplantation for early and intermediate disease, and locoregional control and palliation for advanced disease. This review explores recent advances in liver-directed techniques for HCC including bland transarterial embolization, chemoembolization, radioembolization, and ablative therapies, with a focus on patient selection, procedural technique, periprocedural management, and outcomes.

Chemorefractory liver metastasis from cervical cancer successfully treated with a combination of yttrium-90 and immunotherapy

Liver metastases in cervical cancer is rare and can be difficult-to-treat. The current guidelines established by the Gynecologic Oncology Group recommend platinum-based systemic chemotherapy in combination with an anti-angiogenic agent such as bevacizumab, however, overall survival remains poor following diagnosis and options for patients who fail chemotherapy are limited. Yttrium-90 (Y90) radioembolization (RE) has shown great promise in the treatment of chemo-refractory colorectal liver metastases. We describe a 30-year-old female with a history of stage IB endocervical adenocarcinoma who later developed metastases to the liver, that were unresponsive to multiple chemotherapeutics and chemoembolization, and was successfully treated with Y90 RE with concurrent systemic Pembrolizumab. The Y90 RE treatment resulted in positive clinical and imaging responses with improvement in her quality of life, all of which continue to persist at the time of writing this manuscript about 8-months into her RE treatment.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy is associated with improved overall survival compared to chemoradiation or radioembolization in the treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly lethal malignancy. For patients with locally advanced, unresectable disease, numerous liver-directed therapy options exist, including chemoradiation (CRT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and transarterial radioembolization (TARE). There is no randomized data to inform clinicians regarding the optimal treatment modality.

Method

We used the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to study the overall survival (OS) of patients with ICC treated with CRT, SBRT, and TARE. We used Cox proportional hazards modeling and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to account for confounding variables.

Results

We identified 170 patients with unresected ICC treated with SBRT (n = 37), CRT (n = 61), or TARE (n = 72). SBRT was associated with higher OS compared to CRT (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20-0.68; p = 0.001) and TARE (HR = 0.40; 95% CI 0.22-0.74; p = 0.003). On multivariable analysis, SBRT remained associated with higher OS compared to CRT (HR = 0.44; 95% CI 0.21-0.91; p = 0.028) and TARE (HR = 0.42; 95% CI 0.21-0.84; p = 0.014). After IPTW (Bonferroni-adjusted significance threshold, α = 0.017), SBRT again had a statistically significant association with higher OS compared to CRT (HR = 0.22; 95% CI 0.11-0.44; p < 0.0001) and was nominally associated TARE (HR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.37-0.91; p = 0.019).

Conclusions

We found SBRT is associated with higher OS when compared to CRT or TARE for the treatment of unresectable ICC. Due to the retrospective nature of the study and potential selection bias, these findings should be evaluated prospectively.

Imaging Evaluation Following 90Y Radioembolization of Liver Tumors: What Radiologists Should Know

Radioembolization using beta-emitting yttrium-90 microspheres is being increasingly used for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver cancers. It is a form of intra-arterial brachytherapy which delivers intense radiation to liver tumors with little embolic effect; this mode of action results in unique post-treatment imaging findings. It is important to understand these imaging findings to avoid misinterpretation of tumor response and to determine further management of the disease. Herein, we discuss the current concepts for assessing tumor response, common post-treatment imaging features, and associated complications following radioembolization.

Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Treatment with Yttrium-90 and Subsequent Surgical Resection

We describe a 52-year-old female patient who presented with a 9.5-cm fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC). The patient was initially unsuitable for surgical resection and therefore underwent transarterial chemoembolization followed by selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with Yttrium-90 to downsize the tumour. Following SIRT, the tumour decreased in volume from 350 to 20 cm³ allowing curative (R0) resection with an extended left hepatectomy and reconstruction of IVC. This is the first reported case of FL-HCC treated with SIRT in which, due to the good SIRT response, the patient was downsized to allow curative resection.

Radioembolization treatment for liver metastases

The liver is an organ that, due to vascularisation and functions, is prone to metastases. Most liver metastases are observed in cases of gastrointestinal cancers in: stomach, colon, gallbladder, and bile ducts. Metastatic lesions are also observed in lung, breast, thyroid, kidney, and pancreatic cancer. One of the best known and most effective ways of liver lesion treatment is Metastasectomy. Unfortunately, lesions are frequently inoperable. Apart from chemotherapy, it is possible to apply local treatment such as TACE (trans-arterial chemoembolisation), RFA (Radio Frequency Ablation), and SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy). One of the newest methods of inoperable lesion treatment is radioembolisation (SIRT). Intravascular administration of microspheres containing radioisotope 90Y allows delivery of a higher dose of radiation directly to the tumour than traditional radiation with an external beam, while maintaining a small dose to healthy liver methods. Conducted clinical studies confirm the efficacy and safety of SIRT. It is an interesting alternative to other ways of treatment.

Clinicopathological significance of STAT4 in hepatocellular carcinoma and its effect on cell growth and apoptosis

Background

Recent studies showed that signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) was downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. However, the role of STAT4 in HCC is still unknown. The aim of this study is to explore the association between STAT4 expression and other clinicopathological features in HCC and to test the effect of STAT4 on cell growth and apoptosis in vitro.

Methods

STAT4 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 171 HCC and corresponding paraneoplastic liver, 37 cirrhosis, and 33 normal liver tissues. Association between STAT4 and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. Meta-analysis on STAT4 in cancer was performed. The effect of STAT4 small interfering RNA (siRNA) on cell growth and cell apoptosis was also detected.

Results

Positive rate of STAT4 was 29.2% (50/171) in HCC tissues, 53.2% (91/171) in paraneoplastic liver tissues, 64.9% (24/37) in cirrhosis tissues, and 72.7% (24/33) in normal liver tissues. STAT4 was upregulated in younger patients who were female, with single tumor node, early TNM stage, without portal vein tumor embolus, and α-fetoprotein (AFP)-positive tumors compared with the groups comprising older patients, males, and those with multiple tumor nodes, advanced TNM stage, with portal vein tumor embolus, and AFP negative tumors. Meta-analysis showed STAT4 was correlated with TNM stage (OR =0.50, 95% CI =0.30, 0.83, P=0.008) and age (OR =0.58, 95% CI =0.38, 0.95, P=0.032) in malignant tissues, and with AFP level (OR =1.76, 95% CI =1.06, 2.94, P=0.03) in HCC. STAT4 siRNA promoted growth and suppressed apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

Conclusion

STAT4 might play a vital role in development of HCC, via influencing cell growth and apoptosis, as a tumor suppressor.

Outcomes and Predictors of Toxicity after Selective Internal Radiation Therapy Using Yttrium-90 Resin Microspheres for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose

We sought to report outcomes and toxicity in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who received resin yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy (⁹⁰Y-SIRT) and to identify factors associated with declining liver function.

Methods

Patients treated with ⁹⁰Y-SIRT were retrospectively evaluated. Radiographic response was assessed using RECIST 1.1. Median liver progression-free survival (LPFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Bivariate analysis was used to examine associations between change in Child-Pugh (CP) score/class and patient characteristics and treatment parameters.

Results

Twenty-seven patients with unresectable HCC underwent SIRT, 52% were CP Class A, 48% were Class B, 11% were BCLC stage B, and 89% were stage C. Forty-four percent of patients had portal vein thrombus at baseline. One-third of patients received bilobar treatment. Median activity was 32.1 mCi (range 9.18–43.25) and median-­absorbed dose to the liver was 39.6 Gy (range 13.54–67.70). Median LPFS and OS were 2.5 and 11.7 months, respectively. Three-month disease control rate was 63 and 52% in the target lesions and whole liver, respectively. New onset or worsened from baseline clinical toxicities were confined to Grade 1–2 events. However, new or worsened Grade 3–4 laboratory toxicities occurred in 38% of patients at 3 months and 43% of patients at 6 months following SIRT (six had lymphocytopenia, three had hypoalbuminemia, and two had transaminasemia). After 3 months, six patients had worsened in CP score and five had worsened in class from baseline. After 6 months, four patients had worsened in CP score and one had worsened in class from baseline. Pretreatment bilirubinemia was associated with a 2+ increase in CP score within 3 months (P = 0.001) and 6 months (P = 0.039) of ⁹⁰Y-SIRT. Pretreatment transaminasemia and bilirubinemia were associated with increased CP class within 3 months of SIRT (P = 0.021 and 0.009, respectively).

Conclusion

⁹⁰Y-SIRT was well-tolerated in patients with unresectable HCC, with no Grade 3–4 clinical toxicities. However, Grade 3–4 laboratory toxicities and worsened CP scores were more frequent. HCC patients with pretreatment bilirubinemia or transaminasemia may be at higher risk of experiencing a decline in liver function following ⁹⁰Y-SIRT.