Selective Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization Using a Glass Membrane Emulsification Device in Hepatocellular...

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary Medicine
• Interventional Radiology
• Oncology Therapeutics

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with limited treatment options for unresectable cases.
• Conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) is a standard treatment, but its efficacy can be influenced by emulsion quality.
• Novel emulsification techniques aim to improve drug delivery and treatment outcomes in HCC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the complete response (CR) rate of selective cTACE using a porous glass membrane emulsification device in HCC patients.
• To assess the safety and tolerability of this cTACE technique.
• To compare outcomes with historical control data.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter phase II trial enrolled 50 patients with unresectable HCC (tumor diameter ≤5 cm; Child-Pugh A or B).
• An epirubicin and ethiodized oil (Lipiodol) emulsion was prepared using a glass membrane device and administered via cTACE.
• The primary endpoint was the CR rate at 3 months post-treatment; secondary endpoints included 1-month CR and adverse events.

Main Results:

• 45 patients were included in the efficacy analysis.
• The CR rate at both 1 and 3 months was high at 97.8% (95% CI: 88.2-99.9%).
• Serious adverse events (grade ≥3) included elevated AST (50.0%) and ALT (29.2%); 17.8% experienced ALBI grade deterioration at 3 months.

Conclusions:

• Selective cTACE with a glass membrane emulsification device yields high short-term CR rates in HCC.
• The treatment demonstrated an acceptable safety profile in this patient cohort.
• These findings support further clinical investigation of this cTACE method for HCC.