The Effect Of Drug-eluting Beads Transarterial Chemoembolization On Unresectable Primary Liver Cancer

Objective:Primary liver cancer(PLC)is a very serious disease with a high morbidity and mortality in China.The treatment of unresectable liver cancer should be paid more attention.Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the first choice for unresectable liver cancer.This paper’s aims are to investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of drug-eluting beads TACE(DEB-TACE)in the treatment of unresectable liver cancer,and to provide theoretical basis for clinical treatment of unresectable liver cancer.Methods:The data of 40 patients with unresectable liver cancer treated with DEB-TACE from January 2017 to January 2020 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),alpha fetoprotein(AFP)and other safety endpoints,including serological tests and postoperative adverse reactions,were observed;age,gender,liver function,tumor characteristics and other variables were grouped to explore the influence of each variable grouping on ORR and DCR.Results:1.Complete response rate(CRR)was 15.0%,partial response rate(PRR)was 42.5%,stable disease rate(SDR)was 30.0%,ORR was 57.5%,and DCR was 87.5%.2.The preoperative level of AFP was 175.4ng/ml and 96.4ng/ml one month after operation.It was significantly decreased,but P > 0.05.3.Albumin(Alb)level decreased after operation(P < 0.05),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)level detected on the seven days after operation decreased(P=0.033),while other serological indexes did not change significantly.Most patients developed post embolization syndrome(PES),although only in Grade 1 or 2.4.Age,gender,liver function,tumor characteristics and other variables were grouped and analyzed.There was no significant difference in ORR and DCR in either group(P > 0.05).Conclusions:The ORR and DCR of patients with unresectable liver cancer treated by DEB-TACE were acceptable.Except for the decrease of albumin level,no obvious adverse reactions occurred.The general condition of patients,liver function and tumor characteristics did not affect ORR and DCR.Therefore,DEB-TACE is effective and safe for patients with unresectable liver cancer.DEBs can be used as a novel embolic agent in the treatment of unresectable liver cancer,but clinicians should pay attention to the protection of patients’ liver function after operation to avoid serious adverse reactions.