Integrating CT Radiomics and Clinical Features to Optimize TACE Technique Decision-Making in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

To develop a decision framework integrating computed tomography (CT) radiomics and clinical factors to guide the selection of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) technique for optimizing treatment response in non-resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

A retrospective analysis was performed on 151 patients [33 conventional TACE (cTACE), 69 drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE), 49 degradable starch microsphere TACE (DSM-TACE)] who underwent TACE for HCC at a single tertiary center. Pre-TACE contrast-enhanced CT images were used to extract radiomic features of the TACE-treated liver tumor volume. Patient clinical and laboratory data were combined with radiomics-derived predictors in an elastic net regularized logistic regression model to identify independent factors associated with early response at 4-6 weeks post-TACE. Predicted response probabilities under each TACE technique were compared with the actual techniques performed.

Elastic net modeling identified three independent predictors of response: radiomic feature "Contrast" (OR = 5.80), BCLC stage B (OR = 0.92), and viral hepatitis etiology (OR = 0.74). Interaction models indicated that the relative benefit of each TACE technique depended on the identified patient-specific predictors. Model-based recommendations differed from the actual treatment selected in 66.2% of cases, suggesting potential for improved patient-technique matching.

Integrating CT radiomics with clinical variables may help identify the optimal TACE technique for individual HCC patients. This approach holds promise for a more personalized therapy selection and improved response rates beyond standard clinical decision-making.