Transarterial chemoembolization alone or associated to sorafenib for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic cirrhosis: retrospective analysis

• Grant number: 13/17361-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2014
• End date: February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Gomes Romeiro
• Grantee: Luciana Yumi Odani Sigahi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common tumor originated in the liver. It is the 5th most common type of malignancy, and the 3rd largest cause of death from cancer. During the last two decades, HCC incidence has grown, and it is estimated that the prevalence continue to rise due to the increase of chronic liver diseases such as chronic viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption and liver steatosis. Because cirrhosis is the main risk factor for the development of HCC, most patients do not support surgical treatments. Being so, to obtain tumor reduction and inclusion in liver transplantation list, the treatment most commonly used is the transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, few data exist on the effectiveness of TACE in Brazil, and little is known about the effectiveness of TACE combined with systemic therapy such as sorafenib. The objective of this project is to evaluate retrospectively lab tests and imaging of 50 patients with liver cirrhosis and HCC treated with arterial chemoembolization with or without sorafenib. The assessment will include the reduction in tumor imaging contrast, survival and laboratory tests, such as reduced levels of alpha-fetoprotein and alteration of liver function tests.