Published online Jan 15, 2024. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i1.102
Peer-review started: September 3, 2023
First decision: October 30, 2023
Revised: November 12, 2023
Accepted: December 8, 2023
Article in press: December 8, 2023
Published online: January 15, 2024
Processing time: 130 Days and 4.8 Hours
While gelatin sponge particles and calibrated microspheres are commonly used as embolic materials in conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE), direct comparisons between these embolic agents are rare.
To compare the efficacy and safety of superselective cTACE using Embosphere® or Marine gel® in patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
This retrospective study included 70 patients with small (< 4 cm) HCC who underwent cTACE with Embosphere® (n = 33) or Marine gel® (n = 37) as the embolic agent at a single center between March 2021 and July 2022. The radiologic images and clinical data were retrospectively reviewed, with an emphasis on tumor response, procedure-related complications, and local tumor recurrence. The primary index tumor was assessed on a 1-mo follow-up image, and local progression-free survival was obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method and was compared by the log-rank test.
The median tumor size of both groups was 1.5 cm, and 69 patients achieved a complete response one month after cTACE. The cumulative local recurrence rate at 12 mo was 15.5% in the Embosphere® group and 14.4% in the Marine gel® group. The local progression-free survival was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.83). In the multivariate analysis, high serum alpha-fetoprotein was the only significant poor prognostic factor for local tumor progression (P = 0.01). Postembolization syndrome occurred in 36.4% of the Embosphere® group and 35.1% of the Marine gel® group, and there were no cases of biloma, biliary duct dilation, or liver abscess in either group.
Calibrated gelatin sponge particles (Marine gel®) and calibrated microspheres (Embosphere®) have similar outcomes in terms of tumor response for superselective cTACE of small HCC.
Core Tip: Conventional chemoembolization, a main treatment option for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), involves delivery of anticancer drug and embolic materials. The current study aimed to assess the tumor response of superselective chemoembolization using calibrated gelatin sponge particles and calibrated microspheres as embolic materials. There is no significant difference in tumor response between the use of calibrated gelatin sponge particles and calibrated microspheres for conventional chemoembolization in small HCC.