Korean Multicenter Registry of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization with Drug-Eluting Embolic Agents for Nodular Hepatocellular Carcinomas: Six-Month Outcome Analysis

Purpose To assess the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting embolic (DEE) agents for nodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods The study design was a prospective multicenter registry-based, single-arm clinical trial that included 152 patients. One hundred three (67.8%) had a Child–Pugh class/score of A5, 114 (75.0%) had a performance status of 0, and 77 (50.7%) had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A disease. The DEE chemoembolization procedures were performed with DC Bead particles loaded with doxorubicin solution. The primary endpoint of the study was 6-month tumor response assessed per modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors. Secondary endpoints were treatment safety and overall survival. Results At 1-month posttreatment assessment, complete response (CR) and objective response (OR; ie, CR or partial response) rates were 40.1% and 91.4%, respectively. At 6-month assessment, 121 patients remained for analysis, and CR and OR rates were 43.0% and 55.4%, respectively. The cumulative progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 6 months was 65.0%. Child–Pugh score, tumor multiplicity, and tumor size were independent predictors of PFS (P = .020, P = .029, and P = .001, respectively). There was no 30-day mortality. The overall 6-month survival rate was 97.4%. There were no grade 4 adverse events or laboratory changes. Serious adverse events were reported in 7.2% of patients, and persistent deterioration of liver function was observed in 3.9%. Prominent biliary injury was demonstrated in 19.7% of patients. No liver abscess was observed. Conclusions DEE chemoembolization for nodular HCC had an acceptable safety profile and acceptable 6-month tumor response and survival rates.