Long-term survival outcomes of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Vietnam

Abstract

Aim To evaluate the efficacy of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and determined prognostic factors affecting patients with HCC. Methods A total of 477 Vietnamese patients diagnosed with HCC underwent DEB-TACE. Patient survival was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and prognostic factors affecting survival were assessed using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards regression. Results Among the 477 patients (437 males, mean age 61.1 ± 11.7 years) who underwent DEB-TACE, the median clinical follow-up was 25.3 (1–63) months. Treated response according to the Modified RECIST in patients followed up beyond 6 months included a complete response (CR) in 41 patients (8.7%), partial response (PR) in 352 (74.9%), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD) in 77 (16.1%). The median overall survival (OS) was 53 ± 1.1 months. Factors associated with longer OS included ECOG ≤ 1, Child-Pugh A, BCLC stage A/B, ALBI grade I, and tumor response (CR/PR). In multivariate analysis, Child-Pugh A and objective tumor response (CR/PR) were predictors of longer OS. Conclusion DEB-TACE was an effective treatment for HCC. Child-Pugh A before TACE and tumor response (CR/PR) were positive prognostic factors.