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Objective: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard treatment for unresectable intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma. Drug-eluting beads (DEB)-TACE is a promising approach expected to improve the efficiency and safety of conventional (c) TACE. However, controversy remains whether DEB-TACE performs better than cTACE. This meta-analysis aimed to compare cTACE and DEB-TACE in terms of overall survival (OS), adverse events, and response rate. Literature search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science. Complete response (CR), partial response (PR), disease control (DC), stable disease (SD), OS, and major complications were compared between these two modalities. The pooled relative risk and 95% confidence interval were calculated for assessment. Six randomized controlled trials were included for further analysis after a comprehensive search. No significant difference was found in overall response at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, CR, PR, DC (SD), OS and complications between cTACE and DEB-TACE. Conclusion: DEB-TACE had similar therapeutic effects to those of cTACE. Furthermore, major complications in both therapies were similar. The superiority of DEB-TACE over cTACE remains unclear, and further research with high-quality evidence is needed
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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of arsenic trioxide-loaded CalliSpheres beads (CBATO) in transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of rabbits with VX2 liver tumor. MethodsA total of 120 tumor-bearing rabbits were divided into control group, CalliSpheres beads (CB) group (blank beads for TACE), CBATO group, and conventional TACE (cTACE) group (arsenic trioxide lipiodol for TACE) using a random number table, with 30 rabbits in each group. Five rabbits in each group were sacrificed at 12 hours and on days 3, 7, and 14 after TACE, and immunohistochemistry was used to measure the proliferation index and apoptosis percentage of tumor cells in the residual tumor area. The tumor necrotic volume was measure on day 7 after TACE, and the growth rate and necrosis rate of tumor cells were calculated. Ten rabbits were randomly selected from each group for the observation of survival time. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate survival time, and the log-rank test was used for comparison. ResultsOn day 7 after TACE, the CBATO group had a significantly lower growth rate and a significantly higher necrosis rate of tumor cells than the cTACE group, the CB group, and the control group (all P＜0.05). At each time point after TACE, there were significant differences in the proliferation index and apoptosis percentage of tumor cells between the CBATO group and the other three groups (all P＜0.05). The median survival time was 26 days in the CBATO group, 18.5 days in the CB group, 22 days in the cTACE group, and 15.5 days in the control group, and the CBATO group had a significantly longer survival time than the other three groups (χ2=3.95, 8.99, and 13.47, P=0.049, P=0.003, and P＜0.01). ConclusionCBATO has a better effect than cTACE and CB in the treatment of rabbits with VX2 liver tumor and can significantly improve tumor necrosis rate, promote the apoptosis of tumor cells, and prolong the survival time of experimental animals.
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Objective To evaluate the value of DEB-TACE before liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma patients.Methods From Jan.2016 to Jan.2018,23 patients received DEB-TACE before liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma were induced.Complications evaluation was followed up after interventional therapy.4 weeks after the intervention,the imaging examination was performed to examine the tumor response rate depond on mRECIST,the pathological conditions and tumor free survival were studied in the patients who received liver transplantation.Results The achievement ration of operation was 100％ in 23 patients.23 patients received 24 times successfully,1 patient received DEB-TACE twice,and the remaining 22 patients received DEB-TACE once.No serious complications occurred.Eighteen patients (78.3％,18/23) had postembolic syndrome after interventional therapy,mainly fever and pain.Four weeks after DEB-TACE,the complete response rate was 47.8％ (11/23),partial response rate was 30.4％ (7/23),disease stability rate was 21.7％ (5/23).All the 23 patients were included in the waiting list for transplantation.Among them,15 cases received liver transplantation.Pathological results showed that the total necrosis rate was 53.3％ (8/15),and the tumour necrosis rate in 4 of them was less than 50％.The average tumour necrosis rate of the neoplasm was 75.0％.The 15 patients who received liver transplantation were alive with no tumor recurrence.Conclusion DEB-TACE is a safe and effective treatment for patients suffered from hepatocellular carcinoma in waiting for liver transplantation.However,due to the short time of DEBs in China,further research is needed.
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Objective To evaluate the drug-eluting-beads (DEB)-TACE as down-stage therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation.Methods Inclusion criteria:the hepatocellular carcinoma exceeding the standard of Milan criteria.From Jan 2016 to Jan 2018,30 patients received DEB-TACE as down-stage therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation.4 weeks after DEB-TACE,the imaging examination was performed.The patients who received the liver transplantation,the pathological conditions were recorded and the tumor free survival of the patients was followed up.Results 30 patients received 30 times DEB-TACE successfully.76.7％ (23/30) patients was down-staged to meet UCSF criteria,53.3％ (16/30) patients was down-staged to meet Milan criteria.13 patients had being given liver transplantation,pathology showed that DEB-TACE achieved complete necrosis in 30.8 ％ (4/13)cases.No significant treatment related complications were observed.After liver transplantation 12 patients are alive with no tumor recurrence.The tumor recurrence rate after liver transplantation was 7.7％.Conclusion DEB-TACE is safe and effective as down-stage therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation.
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Objective To study pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of CalliSpheres Beads (CB) loaded Arsenic trioxide (ATO) on rabbit VX2 liver tumor by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Method Sixty four rabbits with VX2 liver tumors were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, CB group, CBATO group and cTACE group. Blood samples were taken at specific time points after TACE.The blood concentration of ATO,liver and kidney functions were examined respectively. In each group, every 4 rabbits were sacrificed on 1 days,3 days,7 days and 14 days after operation. The tumor,liver,kidney, lung,heart and muscle were taken to detect the drug concentration. Bilateral t?test was used to compare the drug concentration in blood and tissue between CBATO group and cTACE group. Results Statistically,The levels of ALT and AST in group CBATO and cTACE on 1st,3rd and 7th days after TACE were significantly higher than those in CB group(ALT: F=25.872, 17.69, 7.016, AST: F=46.365, 32.385, 12.548, P<0.05) respectively. The ALT and AST levels in CBATO group were statistically lower than those in cTACE group (ALT: t=0.369, 0.432, 0.169, 0.353, AST: t=0.488, 0.593, P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the levels of BUN and Scr between the four experimental groups at each observation time point. Statistically, 10 minutes and 20 minutes after TACE, the blood drug concentration inCBATO was significantly lower than that in cTACE (t=7.675, 6.461, P<0.001). while 12 hours after operation,blood drug concentration in CBATO group was higher than that in cTACE group. In tumor tissue,the concentration of ATO in CBATO was higher than that in cTACE,and there was no statistical differences on the 1st day after TACE(t=2.155, P=0.068), but there was a statistical differences between 3rd, 7th and 14th days (t=11.462, 7.624, 2.649, P<0.05). Conclusion CBATO could prolong the time of drug metabolism,increase the drug concentration in tumor tissue,and didn′t aggravate the damage of liver and kidney function.
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Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of portal vein stenting combined with 125I particle strand implantation followed by drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and molecular-targeted therapy for the treatment of stageⅢa liv-er cancer lacking a blood supply. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 11 patients who had stageⅢa liver cancer lacking a blood sup-ply combined with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) was conducted from October 2016 to October 2018. All the patients under-went portal vein stenting combined with 125I particle strand implantation, DEB-TACE, and comprehensive treatment containing molecu-lar-targeted drugs. During the follow-up period, all patients were evaluated for stent patency after the implantation and tumor re-sponse after DEB-TACE treatment. The liver function and blood routine changes before and 1 month after the surgery were completed, and the complications were summarized. Results: All 11 patients were judged as stageⅢa liver cancer based on the Chinese staging criteria (2017), Child-Pugh classification grade A and B. The imaging findings indicated that these tumors were hypovascular. The maxi-mum diameter of these lesions was (8.4±4.1) (2.8-14.1) cm, and all patients had PVTT. Among them, there were 4 cases of Cheng's typeⅡand 7 cases of typeⅢ: 6 cases of main PVTT≥50% and 1 case of PVTT<50%. All patients underwent portal vein stenting com-bined with 125I particle strand implantation, DEB-TACE, and comprehensive treatment containing molecular-targeted drugs. Three and 6 months after stent implantation, the patency rate was 100%; 3 months after DEB-TACE treatment, complete response was achieved in 4 (36.4%) patients, partial response was achieved in 5 (45.5%) patients, and stable disease was achieved in 2 (18.2%) patients. No patients exhibited progressive disease. Therefore, the objective response rate was 81.8% and disease control rate was 100%. As for the liver and kidney function and blood routine tests, there were no significant differences between baseline and 1 month after the sur- gery. In addition, no patient had any serious complication during the perioperative period. Conclusions: For patients with stageⅢa liv-er cancer lacking a blood supply and PVTT, a comprehensive treatment strategy including portal vein stenting combined with 125I parti-cle strand implantation, DEB-TACE, and molecular-targeted therapy can restore portal vein blood flow and maintain mid-and long-term stent patency, while effectively killing tumors and controlling tumor growth, which is a safe and effective treatment strategy.
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BACKGROUND/AIMS: To retrospectively compare conventional and drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (C-TACE and DEB-TACE) for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at very early and early stages. METHODS: We retrospectively compared patients treated with C-TACE (n=115) or DEB-TACE (n=103) from September 2009 to May 2016. All patients were in a very early (stage 0) or early stage (stage A) of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, and all had Child–Pugh class A and ≤B7 liver status. Approval by the institutional review board was waived because the study was retrospective. The following parameters were evaluated: severe pain and bradycardia during TACE, post-embolization syndrome (PES), liver function change, complications, target tumor response, and conversion to another treatment modality. Numeric differences were assessed by the independent Student's t-test for continuous variables and by chi-square test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Severe intractable pain and bradycardia during the TACE procedure were significantly more frequent in the C-TACE group than in the DEB-TACE group (P<0.001). The incidence and duration of PES were significantly higher in the C-TACE group than in the DEB-TACE group (P<0.001). The increase in liver enzymes was significantly higher in the C-TACE group than in the DEB-TACE group (P<0.001). The deterioration of the Child-Pugh class was significantly higher in the C-TACE group than in the DEB-TACE group (P =0.006). There was no significant difference in serious complications except localized bile duct dilatation between the groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in tumor response at both immediate and 1-year assessment. The conversion rate to other treatment modalities was significantly higher in the DEB-TACE group than in the C-TACE group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: DEB-TACE is better than C-TACE in terms of procedural safety as initial treatment in a very early or early stage of HCC.
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Humans , Bile Ducts , Bradycardia , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Dilatation , Ethics Committees, Research , Incidence , Liver , Liver Neoplasms , Pain, Intractable , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using doxorubicin-eluting beads (DEBs) have been introduced as a novel device which ensures more sustained and tumor-selective drug delivery and permanent embolization compared to conventional TACE with lipiodol. Studies highlighting the use of TACE with DEBs for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have shown similar or better results compared to conventional TACE with lipiodol. TACE with DEBs is increasingly being performed interchangeably with conventional TACE. This review assessed the characteristics, clinical outcomes and future direction of TACE with DEBs compared to conventional TACE.
Subject(s)
Humans , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Chemoembolization, Therapeutic , Drug-Eluting Stents , Ethiodized Oil/chemistry , Liver Neoplasms/therapyABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of MRI findings after drug-eluting beads (DEB) - transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma in predicting time to progression (TTP). This study included 48 patients with 60 lesions who underwent liver MRI within 3 months after DEB-TACE. MRI was assessed for arterial enhancement pattern, late washout, arterioportal shunt, signal intensity on T2-weighted image, intratumoral septa, enhancing tissue on subtraction images, and treatment response. Cox-regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors to predict TTP. TTP was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. Per lesion, 30 achieved complete remission, 22 had a partial response, and the remaining 8 lesions displayed stable disease on MRI. Arterial enhancement pattern, washout and enhancing tissue on subtraction images from MRI were associated with viable tumor on the last follow-up computerized tomography. Arterial enhancement, washout and enhancing tissue on subtraction images were significant predictors of TTP, but only enhancing tissue on subtraction images remained a significant predictor of TTP (P=0.018) in the multivariate analysis. TTP was longer in the group without enhancing tissue on subtraction images compared to the group with enhancing tissue (601 days vs. 287 days, P<0.001). Enhancing tissue on subtraction images from MRI after DEB-TACE is predictive for longer TTP.
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Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy , Chemoembolization, Therapeutic , Disease Progression , Drug Carriers/pharmacology , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Microspheres , Multidetector Computed Tomography , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been shown that the drug-eluting beads loaded with doxorubicin (DEBDOX) are effective for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the optimal safety and efficacy still remain to be established by using various bead sizes, doxorubicin doses, and the degree of stasis.The aim of this study was to determine the optimal safety and efficacy of DEBDOX in the treatment of HCC. METHODS: Analysis of a 503-patient prospective, multicenter, multinational Bead Registry Database from 2007 to 2010 identified 206 patients who had been treated for HCC with DEBDOX. Primary endpoints were to compare safety, tolerance, response rates, and overall survival based on bead size (100-300, 300-500, 500-700, and 700-900 microm), number of vials, doxorubicin dose, and degree of stasis. RESULTS: In total, 206 patients underwent 343 treatments. The use of all four bead sizes was similar based on Child-Pugh class and Okuda stage, with a significantly higher use (50%) of beads of size 100-300 microm in patients with portal vein thrombosis (P=0.05). Significant differences were seen for the number of median treatments, median doxorubicin dose, lobar infusion), and degree of complete stasis. The rate of adverse events was higher for larger beads than for smaller beads (28% vs. 16%; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Bead size and dose may vary according to disease distribution. Smaller beads offer the opportunity for repeated treatments, a larger cumulative dose delivery, a lesser degree of complete stasis, and fewer adverse events.
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Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Doxorubicin/administration & dosage , Drug Carriers/chemistry , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Particle Size , Prospective Studies , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the caudate lobe remains one of the most intricate locations where various treatments tend to pose problems with regard to the optimal approach. Surgical resection has been regarded as the most effective treatment; however, isolated resection of the caudate lobe is strenuous and associated with a high rate of early recurrence. Percutaneous ablation might be technically difficult or impossible to perform due to the deep location of tumors and adjacent large vessels. Treatment with drug-eluting beads (DEB) can potentially enhance the therapeutic efficacy for patients with unresectable HCC by drawing on the slower, more consistent drug delivery process. We described a case of a 62-year-old man with HCC in the caudate lobe who was successfully treated by DEB.