Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 14, 2013; 19(14): 2242-2248
Published online Apr 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i14.2242
Therapeutic efficacy of transarterial chemo-embolization with a fine-powder formulation of cisplatin for hepatocellular carcinoma
Kazuhiro Kasai, Akira Ushio, Yukiho Kasai, Kei Sawara, Yasuhiro Miyamoto, Kanta Oikawa, Yasuhiro Takikawa, Kazuyuki Suzuki
Kazuhiro Kasai, Akira Ushio, Yukiho Kasai, Kei Sawara, Yasuhiro Miyamoto, Kanta Oikawa, Yasuhiro Takikawa, Kazuyuki Suzuki, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Iwate 020-8505, Japan
Author contributions: Kasai K and Ushio A contributed equally to this work; Kasai K, Ushio A, Sawara K, Miyamoto Y, Kasai Y, Oikawa K, Takikawa Y and Suzuki K designed research; Kasai K and Ushio A performed research; Kasai K and Ushio A analyzed data; Kasai K wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Kazuhiro Kasai, MD, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Uchimaru 19-1, Morioka, Iwate 020-8505, Japan. kaz-k@yc4.so-net.ne.jp
Telephone: +81-19-6515111 Fax: +81-19-6524666
Received: November 20, 2012
Revised: January 5, 2013
Accepted: January 17, 2013
Published online: April 14, 2013
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using a suspension of a fine-powder formulation of cisplatin (DDPH) in lipiodol (LPD) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS: The subjects were 262 HCC patients treated with TACE using a DDPH-LPD suspension. The DDPH-LPD suspension was prepared by mixing 50 mg of DDPH into 10 mL of LPD. TACE was repeated when treated lesions relapsed and/or new hepatic lesions were detected. These patients received additional TACE using the same agent. TACE was repeated until complete regression of the tumor was obtained. The primary efficacy endpoint of the current study was the objective early response rate. Secondary efficacy endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival.

RESULTS: The objective early response rate was 43.6%. Cumulative PFS rates were 56.7% at 6 mo, 23.1% at 12 mo, 13.4% at 18 mo, and 10.5% at 24 mo. The median PFS was 6.6 mo. Cumulative survival rates were 90.6% at 6 mo, 81.9% at 12 mo, 70.5% at 24 mo, and 58.8% at 36 mo. Median survival time was 46.6 mo. All adverse reactions were controllable by temporary suspension of treatment. No serious complications or treatment-related deaths were observed.

CONCLUSION: TACE using a suspension of DDPH in LPD may be a useful treatment for HCC.

Keywords: Cisplatin, DDPH, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Portal vein tumor thrombosis, Transarterial chemoembolization