Treatment Benefits and Side Effects of Transarterial Chemoembolization with Drug-Eluting Bead Microspheres (DEB-TACE) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Conventional TACE Resistance: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is currently the fourth most common malignant tumor and the second most fatal tumor in China, posing serious threats to the health and life of individuals. Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the treatment benefits and side effects of transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting bead microspheres (DEB-TACE) for HCC patients with conventional TACE (cTACE) resistance. Patients and Methods: A total of 17 HCC patients with cTACE resistance, treated by DEB-TACE, were retrospectively analyzed from July 2017 to December 2019. According to the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST), the efficacy of treatment was classified into complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD), and the objective remission rate (ORR) and the disease control rate (DCR) were also measured at 6 and 12 weeks post-DEB-TACE treatment. Changes in liver enzymes, routine blood tests, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were also documented. Besides, the patients’ adverse reactions were observed within one week after surgery to assess the safety of DEB-TACE therapy. Results: In patients with cTACE resistance, the CR, PR, SD, PD, ORR, and DCR were 0, 35.29%, 47.06%, 17.65%, 35.29%, and 82.35% at six weeks after DEB-TACE and 5.88%, 47.06%, 29.41%, 17.65%, 52.94%, and 82.35% after 12 weeks, respectively. In the first week after DEB-TACE, the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and white blood cells elevated temporarily (P < 0.05), and side effects, such as slight pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting, occurred after surgery. Following liver protection and symptomatic treatment, the patients recovered well. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, DEB-TACE has treatment benefits and few side effects for HCC patients with cTACE resistance.