Lack of response after initial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: does it predict failure of subsequent treatment?
OBJECTIVE
To (a) evaluate the response of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to chemoembolization after initial nonresponse, as determined with European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) criteria and modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST), and (b) compare posttreatment survival of initial nonresponders versus that of initial responders.


METHODS
The institutional review board approved this retrospective study, which was compliant with HIPAA. A total of 116 consecutive patients (96 men, 20 women; mean age, 63 years) with unresectable HCC who underwent at least two chemoembolization procedures were included. The chemoembolization mixture consisted of 100 mg of cisplatin, 50 mg of doxorubicin, and 10 mg of mitomycin C mixed 1:1 with iodized oil. Tumor response at magnetic resonance imaging was evaluated after each chemoembolization procedure according to EASL criteria and mRECIST. The survival rate in each subgroup was calculated and correlated with response. The Wilcoxon test was used to test group comparability. Kaplan-Meier estimators were used to generate survival curves and compared by using the log-rank test.


RESULTS
No response to initial chemoembolization was seen in 43% and 50% of patients according to EASL criteria and mRECIST, respectively. After a second chemoembolization procedure, 44% (EASL) and 47% (mRECIST) of initial nonresponders showed a significant response. With EASL criteria, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates (±standard error of the mean) after two chemoembolization procedures were 39%±10, 14%±7, and 0%, respectively, for nonresponders and 68%±10, 50%±11, and 37%±11 for responders (P=.036, P=.006, and P<.005 at 1, 2, and 3 years). With mRECIST, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates after two chemoembolization procedures were 49%±9, 20%±8, and 7%±6 for nonresponders and 67%±9, 44%±10, and 36%±9 for responders (P=.174, P=.046, and P=.011 at 1, 2, and 3 years).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who underwent chemoembolization for HCC showed a response (with both EASL criteria and mRECIST) and improved survival after the second chemoembolization treatment. At least two chemoembolization procedures should be performed in the same targeted lesions before further treatment is abandoned.
Department of Vascular & Interventional Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N Wolfe St, Blalock 544, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. g_christos@hotmail.com
Christos
C
Georgiades
Jean-François
JF
Geschwind
Neil
N
Harrison
Andrew
A
Hines-Peralta
Eleni
E
Liapi
Kelvin
K
Hong
Zhenke
Z
Wu
Ihab
I
Kamel
Constantine
C
Frangakis
D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016019:Survival Analysis; D017211:Treatment Failure
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016685:Mitomycin; D007459:Iodized Oil; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin