Clinical efficacy of apatinib combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and its effect on tumor angiogenesis
WU Fazong, LYU Xiuling, SONG Jingjing, WU Xulu, WENG Qiaoyou, CHEN Minjiang, JI Jiansong
Interventional Treatment Center, Lishui Central Hospital, Lishui 323000, China
WU Fazong,LYU Xiuling,SONG Jingjing, et al. Clinical efficacy of apatinib combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and its effect on tumor angiogenesis[J]. JOURNAL OF WEZHOU MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, 2019, 49(6): 423-426,431.
Abstract：Objective: To explore the value of apatinib combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A retrospective study of 59 patients with HCC who were admitted to Lishui Central Hospital from March 2017 to January 2019. All patients underwent TACE and were divided into apatinib combined with TACE group (combined group, 28 cases) and TACE group (31 cases) according to the presence or absence of apatinib. After 3 months of treatment, the tumor responses of the two groups were observed and compared, and the changes in serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and caspase-8 before and after treatment were compared, so as to clarify the anti-liver cancer efficacy of apatinib combined with TACE. Results: The total efficacy rate was 71.43% in the combined group, significantly higher than 45.16% in the TACE group (P<0.05). The VEGF levels before treatment in the combination group and the TACE group were (122.99±13.10) pg/mL and (120.36±13.86) pg/mL, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, they were (91.49±8.65) pg/mL and (116.89±10.95) pg/mL which were lower than before treatment (P<0.01), and the levels in the combination group was significantly lower than that in the TACE group (P<0.01). The levels of caspase-8 before treatment in the combination group and the TACE group were (83.68±9.21) pg/mL and (82.87±12.01) pg/mL, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, they were (105.55±7.25) pg/mL and (86.57±7.52) pg/mL, which were higher than before treatment (P<0.01), and the levels in the combination group was significantly higher than that in the TACE group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Apatinib combined with TACE can effectively inhibit tumor angiogenesisand to improve disease control in the treatment of unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
