TACE Combined With Iodine-125 Seeds Implantation for HCC

Plain-language summary

Portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT) is a common complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PVTT has a profound adverse effect on prognosis, with a very short median survival time (2-4 months). The presence of PVTT also limits treatment options, such as liver transplantation and curative resection. Although the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer group recommended sorafenib as a standard therapy for advanced-stage HCC, the optimal treatment for HCC with PVTT remains largely controversial. Some studies have reported a survival benefit in patients with PVTT who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), even in patients with main portal vein (MPV) tumor thrombus. Iodine-125 brachytherapy had also showed promising efficacy as a new method for unresectable HCC with PVTT. Results of our previous study indicated that TACE combined with Iodine-125 seeds implantation might be a good choice for selected patients with PVTT. Thus, we conduct this study to farther evaluate the effect of TACE combined with Iodine-125 seeds implantation for HCC with PVTT. 270 patients with HCC and PVTT will be included and randomized to two group: group 1, patients received TACE combined with Iodine-125 seeds implantation; group 2, patients received TACE alone. TACE and Iodine-125 seeds implantation will be performed with a standardized procedure. Iodine-125 seeds implantation into PVTT (guided by CT) will be conducted 7 days after TACE. All patients revisit our institutions for follow-up examinations including contrast enhanced CT/MRI and laboratory tests every 4-6 weeks after the first treatment. Patients who have a tumor response rating of complete response will be required to revisit 3 months interval. At each visit, TACE or Iodine-125 seeds implantation is repeated if the following criteria are reached: 1) images indicating viable intrahepatic tumor tissue or PVTT; 2) Child-Pugh class A or B, and no contraindication to TACE and Iodine-125 seeds implantation. The primary end point of this study is overall survival. The secondary end points are time to tumor progression, disease control rate, duration of portal patency and adverse events. All adverse events are graded in accordance with Common Toxicity Criteria Adverse Events Version (CTCAE) 4.03.

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