Key clinical point: The objective response rate and disease control rate for MPVTT was significantly higher and mortality significantly lower in HCC patients who received a combination of helical I-125 seed implantation plus TACE compared to those who received TACE only.
Major finding: The optimal objective response rate was 52.4% in the seed implantation plus TACE group vs. 4.0% in the TACE-only group; disease control rates were 85.7% vs. 32.0%, respectively.
Study details: The data come from 46 HCC patients with main portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVTT) who were randomized to helical I-125 seed implantation and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or TACE alone.
Disclosures: The study was supported by the Suzhou Science and Technology Bureau Project, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Talent funding, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Suzhou People's Livelihood Science and Technology Project. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.
Source: Wang W et al. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2021 Jun 11. doi: 10.1007/s00270-021-02887-1.