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Efficacy of iron chelator deferoxamine for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients refractory to current treatments

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Abstract

The prognosis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains poor. For patients with advanced HCC, the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib is recommended as the current standard of care. In contrast, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is one of the recommended treatments in Japan. However, in Japan, the use of sorafenib versus hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for first-line treatment remains unclear, because there have been no randomized controlled trials comparing HAIC with sorafenib. HAIC can substantially prolong survival in patients with complete and partial response, while non-responders may be suitable candidates for sorafenib therapy. Nonetheless, HAIC non-responders with deteriorated liver function currently have no treatment options. We have shown the efficacy of an alternative therapy, the iron chelator deferoxamine, for advanced HCC patients with deteriorated liver function. Iron chelators may have future therapeutic possibilities in this patient population.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Grant no. 23590978).

Compliance with ethical requirements and Conflict of interest

This is a review article and does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects. Takahiro Yamasaki, Issei Saeki, and Isao Sakaida declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology and Laboratory Medicine, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan

    Takahiro Yamasaki

  2. Division of Laboratory, Yamaguchi University Hospital, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan

    Issei Saeki

  3. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minamikogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan

    Isao Sakaida

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  1. Takahiro Yamasaki
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Correspondence to Isao Sakaida.

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Yamasaki, T., Saeki, I. & Sakaida, I. Efficacy of iron chelator deferoxamine for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients refractory to current treatments. Hepatol Int 8 (Suppl 2), 492–498 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-013-9515-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-013-9515-3

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