Transarterial Chemoebolization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Binational Japanese-German Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate outcomes of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) comparing the different approaches used in Germany and Japan.

This binational IRB-approved retrospective dual-center study included a total of 94 HCC patients subdivided in a German and a Japanese cohort. For each patient, liver and tumor volumetry was performed using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Furthermore, a comprehensive risk profile, including body constitution and liver and kidney function was established. Primary endpoints were progression-free and overall survival (PFS/OS).

PFS in the German cohort was 168 vs 224d in the Japanese cohort (p=0.640). When subdivided by BCLC stage, no significant differences were reported (p=0.160-0.429). OS was significantly longer in the Japanese cohort with 856 vs. 303d (p<0.001). OS for BCLC A was significantly longer in the Japanese cohort (1960 vs. 428d; p<0.001), while survival rates did not differ significantly in BCLC B (785 vs 330d; p=0.067) and C-stages (208 vs 302d; p=0.186). Older age (p=0.034), poorer liver/kidney function (p=0.025-0-035), and a higher liver/tumor ratio (p<0.001) were found to correlate with shorter survival. ECOG scores were significantly higher in the German cohort (p=0.002).

While OS is longer in TACE-treated patients in the Japanese cohort compared to the German cohort, the two approaches seem to be equally effective as PFS does not differ significantly. The different survival rates may be caused by the different clinical performance status of the selected collectives. In very early and early stage HCC, TACE in Japan seems to be an effective treatment option while in Germany for patients in those stages TACE remains a second-line option for patients not available for surgery or ablation.