Rate and Predictive Factors for Sustained Complete Response after Selective Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: To determine the effectiveness and performance of selective conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and analyze the potential predictive factors of sustained complete response (CR) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total of 52 patients with HCC (33 males, 19 females; mean age 64.0 ± 9.6 years) who underwent 81 sessions of selective TACE between November 2015 and March 2017 at Songklanagarind hospital were reviewed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to describe CR rates at various time points. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed to determine the predictive factors for sustained CR at six months. RESULTS: The CR rates after selective TACE at 1, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months were 87%, 81%, 62%, 40% and 31%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that alpha fetoprotein level <100ng/ml, a tumor size in summation ≤ 30 mm, ≤ 2 sessions of selective TACE and unilobar involvement had a significantly higher odds of sustaining complete response at six months (p =0.018, 0.031, 0.032, and 0.044, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Selective TACE has a good therapeutic results and can sustained complete response in selected HCC patients. Serum AFP≤ 100 ng/ml, a few sessions of selective TACE, tumor size in summation ≤ 30 mm and unilobar involvement were favorable predictive factors for sustained complete response of HCC patients.