Efficacy of combined TAE, HAIC, targeted, and immunotherapy in unresectable HCC: a multicenter propensity score...

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a leading cause of cancer-related death, with unresectable HCC (uHCC) presenting considerable clinical challenges; treatment options are limited, warranting the combination of locoregional therapies. We compared the efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization-hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (TAE-HAIC) plus targeted therapy and immunotherapy to other therapeutic combinations for treating uHCC. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study, utilizing propensity score matching to compare treatment outcomes between patients receiving TAE-HAIC with targeted therapy and immunotherapy and those receiving other combination therapies. Data were collected from multiple centers, and survival outcomes, tumor control, and overall efficacy were evaluated between matched groups. TAE-HAIC plus targeted therapy and immunotherapy significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival compared to other therapeutic combinations. The combination therapy demonstrated superior tumor control rates and a reduced risk of disease progression. Statistically significant improvements in survival metrics and clinical outcomes were observed in the TAE-HAIC group, underscoring the efficacy of this approach. This study supports the use of TAE-HAIC combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy for patients with uHCC. These findings offer valuable insights into optimizing treatment strategies and highlight the potential for this combination to improve patient outcomes and survival.