[The efficacy of transarterial immuno-embolization therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma]

We devised a new therapeutic modality for multiple hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) consisting of transarterial immuno-embolization (TIE) using OK-432 and fibrinogen, and applied the treatment to 22 patients with advanced HCC who had been insensitive to TAE, and 21 patients who had no treatment. Nineteen patients had a high AFP level of more than 200 ng/ml. The serum AFP level decreased in 15 patients after TIE, and in 7 patients the AFP level decreased to less than 30%. Furthermore, a marked reduction in tumor size was observed in 69% after TIE. We report 61% 1-year, and 3-year survival rate for cases who had been insensitive to TAE, and 86% 2-year survival rate for those who selected TIE as the first choice. A high fever of more than 38 degrees C occurred in all cases, and hypotension less than 80 mmHg was observed in 42% patients. No deterioration of liver function and no disturbance of the coagulation-fibrinolysis system due to TIE except in one patient with liver failure after TIE.