The Prognostic Value Of The ART Score Before The Second Transarterial Chemoembolization

The transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a firstline therapeutic option for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Their indications are clearly defined by learned societies but the challenge is to determine the optimal number of TACE sessions that will benefit patients before switching to other therapies. For this reason, the Assessment for Retreatment with Transarterial chemoembolization (ART) score has been developed. The objective of our work is to show the prognostic value of the ART score before the second TACE.

This is a retrospective and prospective study of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma on cirrhosis liver who received a TACE between January 2012 to July 2019. The diagnosis of HCC was made according to the non-invasive criteria of EASL with the use of histology for doubtful cases. The ART score was calculated after the first chemoembolization. Patients were divided into 2groups: group A with an ART score between 0 and 1.5 and group B with a score =2.5.

During the study period, 58 patients with HCC on cirrhosis liver received a TACE: 55.17% had an ART score between 0 - 1.5 before the second session and 44.8% had an ART score =2,5. Both groups were comparable regarding age, circumstances of discovery and Child's score. The size of the HCC as well as the value of the AFP was further increased in the group B. We observed a significant difference in the radiological response, the Child score and aspartate transaminase rate between the two groups after the first TACE. The overall survival rate at 3 years was 81% in group A versus 19% in group B.

The ART score has an independent prognostic value and should be taken into account in the therapeutic strategy before the second TACE.