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In this randomized phase III trial, the safety and efficacy of adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was evaluated in 280 patients with hepatitis B virus–related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with an intermediate or high risk of recurrence. Patients in the adjuvant TACE group had significantly longer recurrence-free survival (RFS) than those in the control group (56.0% vs 42.1%; P = .01). After controlling for other known prognostic factors, the effect of adjuvant TACE on RFS (HR, 0.67; P = .01) and overall survival (HR, 0.59; P = .04) was still significant. No grade 3 or 4 toxicity was observed with adjuvant TACE.
Adjuvant TACE improved clinical outcomes and was well-tolerated in patients with hepatitis B virus–related HCC with an intermediate or high risk of recurrence
– Jeffrey M. Wiisanen, MD |