Efficacy of sorafenib combined with capecitabine in Hui versus Han residents with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in Sanya, Hainan, China: a comparative analysis / 临床肝胆病杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of sorafenib combined with capecitabine in Hui versus Han residents with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Sanya, Hainan, China. MethodsA total of 96 Hui and Han residents with advanced HCC took oral capecitabine 1500 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days followed by a 7-day withdrawal, which was repeated at least twice; besides, sorafenib was given orally at a dose of 400 mg twice daily until tumor progression occurred. Comparison of continuous data between the two groups was made by t test, while comparison of categorical data was made by chi-square test. ResultsIn the two groups of Hui and Han patients, the rates of alpha-fetoprotein reduction were 60.9% and 40.0%, respectively (χ2=4.173, P=0.041); the rates of serum ferritin reduction were 50.0% and 30.0%, respectively (χ2=4.007, P=0.027); the rates of tumor regression were 54.3% and 34.0% as shown by CT (χ2=4.030, P=0.045); the response rates were 32.6% and 14.0%, respectively (χ2=4.697, P=0.030). Survival analysis suggested the combination of sorafenib and capecitabine had provided a significantly higher overall survival rate in Hui patients than in Han patients (P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P＞0.05). ConclusionIn Sanya, a combination of sorafenib and capecitabine has better efficacy in Hui patients with advanced HCC than in Han patients, and the former have a higher overall survival rate.