Clinical Importance of Regimens in Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Macrovascular Invasion

Simple Summary Although various molecular targeted agents have been approved, the therapeutic outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with macrovascular invasion (MVI) are still unsatisfactory. Locoregional treatment using hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy is a promising treatment for MVI-HCC. In the study, we aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of low-dose cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (LFP), a conventional HAIC regimen, and New FP (a fine-powder cisplatin suspended with lipiodol plus 5-fluorouracil) for MVI-HCC with preserved liver function. New FP was significantly superior to LFP in all therapeutic outcomes. New FP is a recommended HAIC regimen for the treatment of patients with MVI-HCC. Macroscopic vascular invasion (MVI) is a poor prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is a promising treatment in MVI-HCC. However, it is not clear which regimens are suitable for HAIC. In this study, we aimed to compare the therapeutic effects between New FP (a fine-powder cisplatin suspended with lipiodol plus 5-fluorouracil) and low dose FP (LFP/cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil) in the treatment of MVI-HCC patients with Child-Pugh class A. New FP is a regimen that consists of a fine-powder cisplatin suspended with lipiodol and 5-fluorouracil. Fifty-one patients were treated with LFP, and 99 patients were New FP. We compared the therapeutic effects of LFP and New FP and assessed factors that associated with the therapeutic effects. The median survival and progression-free survival times of LFP and New FP were 16.1/24.7 and 5.4/8.8 months, respectively (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). The complete response (29%) and objective response rate (76%) of New FP were significantly higher than those of LFP (p < 0.001, p < 0.01). Factors associated with better therapeutic response were better ALBI-grade and New FP treatment choice. New FP is a more powerful regimen than LFP in HAIC for MVI-HCC. New FP represents a recommended HAIC regimen for the treatment of patients with MVI-HCC.

Automated summary

Macrovascular invasion (MVI) is a poor prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is a promising treatment for MVI-HCC. New FP, a regimen involving fine-powder cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil suspended with lipiodol, showed superior therapeutic outcomes compared to low-dose cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (LFP) in treating MVI-HCC with preserved liver function. New FP is recommended as a preferred HAIC regimen for this patient population.