Sorafenib enhances effects of transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
Combination therapy of sorafenib and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) showed benefits for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This systematic review aims for evaluation of efficacy and safety between sorafenib plus TACE and TACE alone for HCC.


METHODS
We systematically searched multi-databases to identify eligible studies. Studies comparing sorafenib combined with TACE and TACE alone for HCC were included.


RESULTS
Nine studies with 900 patients (sorafenib + TACE = 446, TACE = 454) were finally included. Sorafenib combined with TACE significantly reduced 6-month mortality [OR 0.24, 95 % confidential interval (CI) 0.09-0.68, P = 0.007] and 1-year mortality (OR 0.35, 95 % CI 0.21-0.56, P < 0.0001), but did not decrease 2-year mortality (OR 0.58, 95 % CI 0.14-2.46, P = 0.46). Although combination therapy tend to reduce 3-month (OR 0.76, 95 % CI 0.52-1.10, P = 0.15) and 6-month progression free rate (OR 0.27, 95 % CI 0.07-1.05, P = 0.06), the changes were not significant. Additionally, objective response ratio (OR 0.39, 95 % CI 0.19-0.78, P = 0.008) and clinical benefit ratio (OR 0.27, 95 % CI 0.15-0.50, P < 0.0001) also favored for combination therapy, which, however, caused higher morbidity, especially hand-foot skin reaction (OR 53.71, 95 % CI 28.86-99.93, P < 0.00001), hematological events (OR 14.8, 95 % CI 6.07-36.07, P < 0.00001), diarrhea (OR 6.62, 95 % CI 3.82-11.45, P < 0.00001), hypertension (OR 5.03, 95 % CI 3.02-8.38, P < 0.00001), rash/desquamation (OR 5.67, 95 % CI 3.58-8.99, P < 0.00001), and fatigue (OR 2.5, 95 % CI 1.09-5.72, P = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Combination of sorafenib and TACE showed survival and clinical benefits in patients with HCC, though enhanced morbidity.
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China.
Qi-Han
QH
Fu
Qi
Q
Zhang
Xue-Li
XL
Bai
Qi-Da
QD
Hu
Wei
W
Su
Yi-Wen
YW
Chen
Ri-Ga
RG
Su
Ting-Bo
TB
Liang
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000077157:Sorafenib; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D009536:Niacinamide; D000077157:Sorafenib