The Effect of Nano-Albumin Paclitaxel on the Early Postoperative Recurrence of Primary Liver Cancer

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the clinical effect and safety of albumin binding paclitaxel (Nab-P) for the first-line treatment of advanced primary liver cancer. Clinical data of 23 patients with primary liver cancer, who were treated in the first-line tumor treatment Department in the PLA General Hospital from May 2014 to December 2015, were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into an observation group and a control group, according to their treatment plan. The patients in the observation group (12) received Nab-P treatment (5 cases of Nab-P combined with tegeor, 5 cases of Nab-P combined with capecitabine, and 2 cases of Nab-P single drug), and the patients in the control group (11) received gemcitabine combined with oxaliplatin. Each treatment cycle lasted for 21 days, and the treatment effect was evaluated once every two cycles, while the adverse reactions were assessed after every cycle. The survival rates of the different groups were compared using the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test, the Kaplan Meier survival curve, and the log rank test. Results from all patients were used to evaluate treatment efficacy and adverse reactions. In the observation group, there were 2 cases of partial remission, 7 cases of disease stability, and 3 cases of disease progress; in the control group, there were 2 cases of partial remission, 5 cases of disease stability, and 4 cases of disease progress. There was no significant difference in disease control rate between the two groups (75% vs. 64%, χ2 = 0.350, P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the median progression free survival time between the two groups (5.1 (2.7–6.7) months versus 4.3 (2.5–54) months, χ2 =0.647, P > 0.05). No serious side effects were observed in any of the two groups. Among the observed side effects were some PLT toxicity and increased AST (Aspartate transaminase) incidence, which showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ2 = 5.490, P = 0.036 for PLT; χ2 = 6.135, P = 0.027 for AST). The new Nab-P-based drug regimen has a good effect against primary liver cancer, and the side effects are tolerable. However, the sample size used in this study was small and further clinical studies using larger samples are required to verify the results.