Efficacy of Sodium Alginate Microsphere Interventional Embolization Combined with Sorafenib in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

To explore the efficacy of sodium alginate microsphere (SAM) transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with sorafenib in liver cancer (LC), 118 patients with advanced LC were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized into c-TACE and SAM-TACE groups; in addition to TACE, the SAM-TACE group was treated with SAM and oral sorafenib. The physical properties and cytotoxicity of SAM were investigated in vitro. Liver function, tumor markers, the extent of solid tumor remission, adverse events, and survival rates were compared between the two groups during a 2-year follow-up period. The diameter of SAM was approximately 180-250 mu m and the swelling rate of the microspheres was good, especially at pH 7.4. SAMs did not reduce 3T3-L1 and ECV-304 cell activities and was biocompatible. SAM-TACE was effective in protecting liver function in patients and, when combined with sorafenib, reduced tumor marker levels and cancer volumes, resulting in improved patient survival rates. SAM-TACE combined with sorafenib did not increase the rate of adverse reactions. Therefore, SAM-TACE combined with sorafenib has great potential in the treatment of advanced LC.