Clinical Outcomes of Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization Loaded with Raltitrexed for the Treatment of Unresectable or Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objectives. Although raltitrexed shows therapeutic effects in many types of malignant tumors, the therapeutic effects and safety of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) loaded with raltitrexed for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are rare. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of DEB-TACE with raltitrexed-loaded CalliSpheres beads (CB) in patients with unresectable or recurrent HCC. Methods. Between May 2018 and October 2021, 41 patients with unresectable or recurrent HCC treated by DEB-TACE loaded with raltitrexed were retrospectively enrolled. The primary end points were overall survival and progression-free survival. The response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) criteria and modified RECIST criteria (mRECIST) were used to assess the tumor response after the DEB-TACE procedure. Results. A total of 79 DEB-TACE procedures were successfully performed, and the technical success rate was 100%. The overall response rate and disease control rate assessed by mRECIST criteria were 76.9% and 88.5%, 62.5% and 70.8%, and 35.3% and 47.1%, respectively, at 1, 3, and 6 months postprocedure. The mean progression-free survival and overall survival were 21.6 +/- 3.6 and 43.7 +/- 5.8 months, respectively. The 6-, 24-, and 36-month overall survival rates were 86.8%, 62.7%, and 57.1%, respectively. Minor complications were observed in 21 patients (51.2%), with no treatment-related mortality or severe adverse events. The most common treatment-related complications were abdominal pain (48.8%) and nausea (29.3%). Conclusion. DEB-TACE with raltitrexed-loaded CB suggests a feasible, safe, and efficacious palliative regimen in unresectable or recurrent HCC patients.