Clinical observation of combined transarterial chemoembolization and targeted therapy in postoperative recurrent colorectal cancer with liver metastasis

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the study population

Characteristic	n (%)
Sex
Male	45 (60)
Female	30 (40)
Age, years	58 (35-75)
Primary tumor location
Colon	40 (53.3)
Rectum	35 (46.7)
Initial AJCC stage
Stage III	20 (26.7)
Stage IV	55 (73.3)
Disease-free interval, months	24 (6-60)
Liver metastases
Solitary	30 (40)
Multiple	45 (60)
Number of metastases	3 (1-10)
Average size of metastases, cm	4.5 ± 1.8
Location of metastases
Right lobe	41 (55)
Left lobe	23 (30)
Both lobes	11 (15)
Molecular profiling
KRAS mutation	35 (46.7)
NRAS mutation	15 (20)
Wild-type RAS	25 (33.3)
VEGF overexpression	50 (66.7)
EGFR expression	40 (53.3)
Prior treatments
Systemic chemotherapy	20 (26.7)
Targeted therapy	10 (13.3)

AJCC: American Joint Committee on Cancer; RAS: Rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog; VEGF: Vascular endothelial growth factor; EGFR: Epidermal growth factor receptor.

Table 2 Treatment administration details

Treatment component	n (%)
TACE procedures	3 (1-6)
Chemotherapeutic agents
Doxorubicin	70 (93.3)
Cisplatin	65 (86.7)
Embolic agents
Lipiodol	72 (96)
Gelatin sponge particles	60 (80)
Targeted therapy agents
Bevacizumab	40 (53.3)
Cetuximab	25 (33.3)
Panitumumab	10 (13.3)

TACE: Transarterial chemoembolization.

Table 3 Survival outcomes

Outcome, months	Entire cohort	Bevacizumab group	Cetuximab/panitumumab group	P value
OS	28 (24-32)	30	24	0.015
PFS	12 (10-14)	14	10	0.022

OS: Overall survival; PFS: Progression-free survival.

Table 4 Response rates

Response category	n (%)
CR	15 (20)
PR	30 (40)
SD	20 (26.7)
PD	10 (13.3)
ORR	45 (58.7)
DCR	65 (86.7)

CR: Complete response; PR: Partial response; SD: Stable disease; PD: Progressive disease; ORR: Overall response rate; DCR: Disease control rate.

Table 5 Adverse events

Adverse event	n (%)
TACE-related
Post-embolization syndrome	60 (80)
Transient liver dysfunction	20 (26.7)
Acute kidney injury	5 (6.7)
Targeted therapy-related
Hypertension	30 (40)
Skin rash	20 (26.7)
Fatigue	15 (20)
Severe adverse events (grade 3-4)
Hepatic failure	2 (2.7)
Severe hypertension	3 (4)
Gastrointestinal perforation	1 (1.3)
Management of adverse events
Hospitalization	8 (10.7)
Dose adjustments/discontinuation	12 (16)

TACE: Transarterial chemoembolization.

Table 6 Quality of life scores, median (range)

Quality of life domain1	Baseline	Post-treatment	P value
Global health status/quality of life	60 (40-80)	75 (55-90)	< 0.001
Physical functioning	55 (30-70)	70 (50-85)	< 0.001
Role functioning	50 (25-65)	68 (45-80)	< 0.001
Social functioning	58 (35-75)	72 (50-88)	< 0.001
Fatigue	65 (40-80)	40 (20-60)	< 0.001
Pain	60 (30-70)	35 (15-50)	< 0.001
Nausea/vomiting	50 (20-60)	25 (10-40)	< 0.001

¹The quality of life domain scores are presented as median (range) based on patient responses. Higher scores in functional domains indicate better functioning, while higher scores in symptom domains indicate greater symptom burden.