Stereotactic body radiation therapy for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma as a local salvage treatment after incomplete transarterial chemoembolization
Jin-Kyu Kang, Mi-Sook Kim, Chul Koo Cho, Kwang Mo Yang, Hyung Jun Yoo, Jin Ho Kim, Sun Hyun Bae, Da Hoon Jung, Kum Bae Kim, Dong Han Lee, Chul Ju Han, Jin Kim, Su Cheol Park, Young Han Kim, Jin-Kyu Kang, Mi-Sook Kim, Chul Koo Cho, Kwang Mo Yang, Hyung Jun Yoo, Jin Ho Kim, Sun Hyun Bae, Da Hoon Jung, Kum Bae Kim, Dong Han Lee, Chul Ju Han, Jin Kim, Su Cheol Park, Young Han Kim
Abstract
Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a local salvage treatment after incomplete transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: The main eligibility criteria were a greatest tumor dimension (LD sum) <10 cm, inoperable HCC, and incomplete response after TACE. Prescribed SBRT doses were up to 60 gray (Gy) in 3 fractions, but doses were reduced until normal tissue constraints were allowed.
Results: Between May 2008 and February 2011, 50 patients were enrolled in this phase 2 trial, of which 47 patients were evaluable. Forty-one patients had Child-Pugh class A disease (A5/A6 were 32/9), 6 patients had class B7 disease, and 5 patients had portal vein tumor thrombosis. All patients underwent TACE 1 to 5 times before SBRT. SBRT doses ranged from 42 to 60 Gy in 3 fractions (median dose, 57 Gy), and the median LD sum was 29 mm (range, 13-78 mm). Eighteen patients (38.3%) achieved complete remission within 6 months of completing of SBRT, and 18 patients (38.3%) had a partial response. The 2-year local control rate was 94.6%, the overall survival rate was 68.7%, and the progression-free survival rate was 33.8%. Three patients (6.4%) experienced grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity, and 2 patients (4.3%) experienced grade 4 gastric ulcer perforation.
Conclusions: This trial demonstrated that SBRT after incomplete TACE for inoperable HCC achieves promising rates of response and local control. On the basis of these study results, a modified, multi-institutional, phase 2 trial to reduce gastrointestinal toxicity is recommended.
Copyright © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Source: PubMed