Drug-Eluting Beads Bronchial Arterial Chemoembolization in Treating Relapsed/Refractory Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: Results from a Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: We aimed to explore the efficacy and tolerance of drug-eluting beads bronchial arterial chemoembolization (DEB-BACE) treatment in relapsed/refractory small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. METHODS: Eleven relapsed/refractory SCLC patients were enrolled and treated with DEB-BACE. Then, treatment response and tumor marker levels were assessed at the first, second and sixth month post treatment. Quality of life was assessed by the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were also evaluated. RESULTS: At the first, second and sixth month post treatment, the objective response rates were 63.6%, 54.5%, and 36.4%, respectively; and the disease control rates were 90.9%, 90.9% and 54.5%, respectively. In addition, the neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and progastrin-releasing peptide levels were reduced at the second and sixth month. Quality of life assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 scale, which included subscales of general health status, functional domains, symptom domains, and single domains except for financial difficulty, was markedly improved at second month post treatment. Median values of PFS and OS were 5.1 (95% CI: 4.1–5.9) months and 9.0 (95% CI: 6.0–12.0) months, respectively. The ECOG score and preoperative NSE level were independent predictive factors for PFS, and age as well as lesion location were independent predictive factors for OS. Adverse events were all mild and manageable with chest pain and chest stuffiness the most common ones. CONCLUSION: DEB-BACE could be a therapeutic option for relapsed/refractory SCLC patients regarding its favorable treatment response, quality of life, survival benefit and safety profile.