The Course of Circulating Nucleosomes in Liver Cancer Patients Undergoing Transarterial Chemoembolization Therapy

Transarterial chemoembollization (TACE) is a new and effective locoregional anticancer treatment option for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients. In a prospective study on 50 patients with hepatocellular cancer undergoing in total 77 TACE therapies, blood samples were taken before the start, as well as 3, 6 and 24 h after TACE therapy. Circulating nucleosomes were determined by ELISA and the patterns of nucleosome release in different T-stages were compared. Serum nucleosomes levels showed temporary decreases 3 and 6 h after TACE therapy which were subsequently followed by significant increases 24 h after TACE. Comparing the different groups of tumor stages, nucleosome levels were quite similar in the various groups with a tendency to higher values 24 h after TACE for patients with T3 disease. After a temporary decline, circulating nucleosomes increased 1 day after application of TACE therapy that may be relevant for the estimation of therapy efficacy.