Benefits of stronger Neo‐Minophagen C in acute hepatitis after transarterial chemoembolization therapy for hepatomas

Abstract

Hepatitis after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is common. StrongerNeo-Minophagen C (SNMC) has demonstrated benefits in patients with hepatitis. We aimed to determine its usefulness in post-TACE hepatitis in patients with hepatomas. Overall, 60 patients with hepatomas who were treated with TACE were prospectively analyzed; of these, 30 patients underwent SNMC treatment after TACE. Daily serial changes in the liver function tests (serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], total bilirubin, prolonged prothrombin time, and international normalized ratio [PT/INR]) were compared between the two groups. Common complications, such as fever, nausea, and emesis, were also compared. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups (P > .05). Although the absolute value of AST/ALT was lower in the SNMC treatment group, differences between the groups were nonsignificant. Total bilirubin and PT/INR levels were significantly different between the groups (P = .03 and .02, respectively), thus indicating potential SNMC effects on hepatocyte regeneration. Significant differences were also observed between the groups with respect to fever and nausea/emesis (both P = .002). Side effects of SNMC, such as hyperkalemia or hypertension, were not significantly different between the groups. SNMC demonstrated some benefits in patients with hepatomas after TACE.

Stronger Neo‐Minophagen C (SNMC): A stronger adjuvant for TACE?

“…In this issue of Advances in Digestive Medicine, Huang et al conducted a prospective, randomized study to investigate the therapeutic effects of SNMC for patients with BCLC stage B HCC and underwent TACE. 15 The results showed that patients who received SNMC after TACE had a significantly lower serum bilirubin levels and shorter prothrombin time (PT) compared to those without SNMC therapy. They also had a lower rate of fever and nausea than their counterparts.…”