Prolonged progression‐free survival achieved by octreotide LAR plus transarterial embolization in low‐to‐intermediate grade neuroendocrine tumor liver metastases with high hepatic tumor burden

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and outcome of transarterial embolization (TAE) plus octreotide long‐acting repeatable (LAR) on patients with low‐to‐intermediate neuroendocrine tumor liver metastases (NETLM). METHODS: One hundred and sixteen patients with G1/G2 NETLM treated with TAE plus octreotide LAR at the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen University between January 12, 2016 and September 24, 2020 were reviewed. Radiological response was evaluated according to response evaluation criterion in solid tumor version 1.1. Overall progression‐free survival (PFS) was assessed. Intrahepatic and extrahepatic PFS were evaluated in the whole cohort and in patients with the extrahepatic disease (EHD), respectively. Factors affecting treatment response and overall PFS were analyzed using the logistic regression model and Cox proportional hazard model. Adverse events were recorded and evaluated according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0. RESULTS: The median overall PFS of the whole cohort was 13.6 months. For the patients with EHD, the median intrahepatic PFS and extrahepatic PFS were 13.6 and 26.1 months, respectively. The median overall PFS of patients with hepatic tumor burden (HTB) <10%, 10%–25%, 25%–50%, and >50% were 25.2, 13.6, 11.2, and 12.3 months, respectively. Ki67 >10%, HTB >50%, and bone metastasis were independently associated with overall PFS. The objective response rate was 78.4%. In patients with HTB 25%–50% and >50%, responders (complete response or partial response) had significant prolonged PFS compared with nonresponders (stable disease or progression disease). Ki67 >10%, bone metastasis, and clear tumor margin were independently associated with response to TAE. The most frequent adverse events that occurred after TAE were postembolization syndrome, and no treatment‐associated death occurred during the perioperative period. CONCLUSION: Transarterial embolization plus octreotide LAR can significantly prolong the PFS of neuroendocrine tumor liver metastases, especially with high HTB over 50%. Selected patients with HTB >25% (ki67 ≤10%, absence of bone metastasis, clear tumor margin) could derive prognostic advantage from the combined treatment.