Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ablative Transarterial Radioembolization Improves Survival in Patients with HCC and Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Interventional Oncology
  • Published:
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus have a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. We sought to compare survival, tolerability, and safety in such patients treated with conventional yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization dosimetric techniques or ablative transarterial radioembolization.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective, single-center cohort study included patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and right, left, and/or main portal vein tumor thrombus, preserved liver function (Child–Pugh class ≤ B7), and good performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score ≤ 1) treated with yttrium-90 microspheres from 2011 to 2018 with ablative intent transarterial radioembolization (A-TARE), or conventional technique (cTARE). Statistical models were used to compare overall survival, post-treatment survival, toxicities, and prognosticators of response.

Results

Fifty-seven patients were included (21 [36.8%] ablative and 36 [63.2%] conventional intent). Median overall survival was 15.7 months. Compared to conventional treatment, ablative radioembolization was associated with longer median overall survival (45.3 vs 18.2 months; P = 0.003), longer post-treatment survival (19.1 vs 4.9 months; P = 0.005), a 70% lower risk of death (hazard ratio 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.13–0.70; P = 0.005), and improved 4-year survival (53.9% vs 11.2%). Overall survival did not differ significantly between treatment with resin and glass microspheres (27.5 vs 22.2 months; P = 0.62). Acceptable hepatic toxicities were observed after yttrium-90 administration, without statistical differences between the groups.

Conclusion

In patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus, A-TARE is associated with longer survival than cTARE. Neither modality is associated with deleterious effects on liver function.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Titano J, Noor A, Kim E. Transarterial chemoembolization and radioembolization across barcelona clinic liver cancer stages. Semin Intervent Radiol. 2017;34:109–15.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Han K, Kim JH, Ko GY, Gwon DI, Sung KB. Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal venous tumor thrombosis: a comprehensive review. World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22:407–16.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Yu SJ, Kim YJ. Effective treatment strategies other than sorafenib for the patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma invading portal vein. World J Hepatol. 2015;7:1553–61.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Llovet JM, Bustamante J, Castells A, Vilana R, Ayuso Mdel C, Sala M, et al. Natural history of untreated nonsurgical hepatocellular carcinoma: rationale for the design and evaluation of therapeutic trials. Hepatology. 1999;29:62–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Minagawa M, Makuuchi M. Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma accompanied by portal vein tumor thrombus. World J Gastroenterol. 2006;12:7561–7.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Schoniger-Hekele M, Muller C, Kutilek M, Oesterreicher C, Ferenci P, Gangl A. Hepatocellular carcinoma in Central Europe: prognostic features and survival. Gut. 2001;48:103–9.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Chow PKH, Gandhi M, Tan SB, Khin MW, Khasbazar A, Ong J, et al. SIRveNIB: selective internal radiation therapy versus sorafenib in Asia-Pacific patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. J Clin Oncol. 2018;36:1913–21.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Llovet JM, Ricci S, Mazzaferro V, Hilgard P, Gane E, Blanc JF, et al. Sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:378–90.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Vilgrain V, Pereira H, Assenat E, Guiu B, Ilonca AD, Pageaux GP, et al. Efficacy and safety of selective internal radiotherapy with yttrium-90 resin microspheres compared with sorafenib in locally advanced and inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (SARAH): an open-label randomised controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2017;18:1624–36.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Yoon SM, Ryoo BY, Lee SJ, Kim JH, Shin JH, An JH, et al. Efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization plus external beam radiotherapy versus sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma with macroscopic vascular invasion: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Oncol. 2018;4:661–9.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Gbolahan OB, Schacht MA, Beckley EW, LaRoche TP, O’Neil BH, Pyko M. Locoregional and systemic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Gastrointest Oncol. 2017;8:215–28.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Li C, Hu J, Zhou D, Zhao J, Ma K, Yin X, et al. Differentiation of bland from neoplastic thrombus of the portal vein in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: application of susceptibility-weighted MR imaging. BMC Cancer. 2014;14:590.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Lau WY, Kennedy AS, Kim YH, Lai HK, Lee RC, Leung TW, et al. Patient selection and activity planning guide for selective internal radiotherapy with yttrium-90 resin microspheres. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2012;82:401–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Lewandowski RJ, Gabr A, Abouchaleh N, Ali R, Al Asadi A, Mora RA, et al. Radiation segmentectomy: potential curative therapy for early hepatocellular carcinoma. Radiology. 2018;287:1050–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Riaz A, Gates VL, Atassi B, Lewandowski RJ, Mulcahy MF, Ryu RK, et al. Radiation segmentectomy: a novel approach to increase safety and efficacy of radioembolization. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2011;79:163–71.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Kallini JR, Gabr A, Salem R, Lewandowski RJ. Transarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90 for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Adv Ther. 2016;33:699–714.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Theysohn JM, Ertle J, Müller S, Schlaak JF, Nensa F, Sipilae S, et al. Hepatic volume changes after lobar selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) of hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Radiol. 2014;69:172–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Vouche M, Habib A, Ward TJ, Kim E, Kulik L, Ganger D, et al. Unresectable solitary hepatocellular carcinoma not amenable to radiofrequency ablation: multicenter radiology-pathology correlation and survival of radiation segmentectomy. Hepatology. 2014;60:192–201.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Vouche M, Lewandowski RJ, Atassi R, Memon K, Gates VL, Ryu RK, et al. Radiation lobectomy: time-dependent analysis of future liver remnant volume in unresectable liver cancer as a bridge to resection. J Hepatol. 2013;59:1029–36.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Padia SA, Johnson GE, Horton KJ, Ingraham CR, Kogut MJ, Kwan S, et al. Segmental yttrium-90 radioembolization versus segmental chemoembolization for localized hepatocellular carcinoma: results of a single-center, retrospective, propensity score-matched study. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2017;28(777–785):e771.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Padia SA, Kwan SW, Roudsari B, Monsky WL, Coveler A, Harris WP. Superselective yttrium-90 radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma yields high response rates with minimal toxicity. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2014;25:1067–73.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Ng E, Chung J, Klass D, Ho S, Patel R, Chou F, et al. Optimized computed tomographic angiography vessel evaluation protocol (OCTAVE) prior to transarterial radioembolization. Intervent Oncol. 2016;360(11):E183–93.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Gaba RC, Lewandowski RJ, Hickey R, Baerlocher MO, Cohen EI, Dariushnia SR, et al. Transcatheter therapy for hepatic malignancy: standardization of terminology and reporting criteria. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2016;27:457–73.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Kennedy A, Nag S, Salem R, Murthy R, McEwan AJ, Nutting C, et al. Recommendations for radioembolization of hepatic malignancies using yttrium-90 microsphere brachytherapy: a consensus panel report from the radioembolization brachytherapy oncology consortium. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2007;68:13–23.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Padia SA, Lewandowski RJ, Johnson GE, Sze DY, Ward TJ, Gaba RC, et al. Radioembolization of hepatic malignancies: background, quality improvement guidelines, and future directions. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2017;28:1–15.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Biederman DM, Titano JJ, Korff RA, Fischman AM, Patel RS, Nowakowski FS, et al. Radiation segmentectomy versus selective chemoembolization in the treatment of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2018;29(30–37):e32.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Gulec SA, Mesoloras G, Stabin M. Dosimetric techniques in 90Y-microsphere therapy of liver cancer: the MIRD equations for dose calculations. J Nucl Med. 2006;47:1209–11.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Ho S, Lau WY, Leung TW, Chan M, Ngar YK, Johnson PJ, et al. Partition model for estimating radiation doses from yttrium-90 microspheres in treating hepatic tumours. Eur J Nucl Med. 1996;23:947–52.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Woo HY, Heo J. New perspectives on the management of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis. Clin Mol Hepatol. 2015;21:115–21.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Abouchaleh N, Gabr A, Ali R, Al Asadi A, Mora RA, Kallini JR, et al. 90Y radioembolization for locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis: long-term outcomes in a 185-patient cohort. J Nucl Med. 2018;59:1042–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Biederman DM, Titano JJ, Tabori NE, Pierobon ES, Alshebeeb K, Schwartz M, et al. Outcomes of radioembolization in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein invasion: resin versus glass microspheres. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2016;27(812–821):e812.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Floridi C, Pesapane F, Angileri SA, De Palma D, Fontana F, Caspani F, et al. Yttrium-90 radioembolization treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a single-centre prognostic factors analysis. Med Oncol. 2017;34:174.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Golfieri R, Mosconi C, Cappelli A, Giampalma E, Galaverni MC, Pettinato C, et al. Efficacy of radioembolization according to tumor morphology and portal vein thrombosis in intermediate-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Future Oncol. 2015;11:3133–42.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Kulik LM, Carr BI, Mulcahy MF, Lewandowski RJ, Atassi B, Ryu RK, et al. Safety and efficacy of 90Y radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with and without portal vein thrombosis. Hepatology. 2008;47:71–81.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Memon K, Kulik L, Lewandowski RJ, Mulcahy MF, Benson AB, Ganger D, et al. Radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis: impact of liver function on systemic treatment options at disease progression. J Hepatol. 2013;58:73–80.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Salem R, Lewandowski RJ, Mulcahy MF, Riaz A, Ryu RK, Ibrahim S, et al. Radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma using yttrium-90 microspheres: a comprehensive report of long-term outcomes. Gastroenterology. 2010;138:52–64.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Tsai AL, Burke CT, Kennedy AS, Moore DT, Mauro MA, Dixon RD, et al. Use of yttrium-90 microspheres in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein thrombosis. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2010;21:1377–84.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Van Der Gucht A, Jreige M, Denys A, Blanc-Durand P, Boubaker A, Pomoni A, et al. Resin versus glass microspheres for (90)Y transarterial radioembolization: comparing survival in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma using pretreatment partition model dosimetry. J Nucl Med. 2017;58:1334–40.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Boas FE, Bodei L, Sofocleous CT. Radioembolization of colorectal liver metastases: indications, technique, and outcomes. J Nucl Med. 2017;58:104S–11S.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  40. Cremonesi M, Chiesa C, Strigari L, Ferrari M, Botta F, Guerriero F, et al. Radioembolization of hepatic lesions from a radiobiology and dosimetric perspective. Front Oncol. 2014;4:210.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. Kokabi N, Camacho JC, Xing M, El-Rayes BF, Spivey JR, Knechtle SJ, et al. Open-label prospective study of the safety and efficacy of glass-based yttrium-90 radioembolization for infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis. Cancer. 2015;121:2164–74.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Salem R, Thurston KG. Radioembolization with 90Y microspheres: a state-of-the-art brachytherapy treatment for primary and secondary liver malignancies. Part 1: technical and methodologic considerations. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2006;17:1251–78.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Abi-Jaoudeh N. Resin versus glass microspheres. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2016;27:822–3.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Ahmadzadehfar H, Meyer C, Pieper CC, Bundschuh R, Muckle M, Gartner F, et al. Evaluation of the delivered activity of yttrium-90 resin microspheres using sterile water and 5% glucose during administration. EJNMMI Res. 2015;5:54.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  45. Westcott MA, Coldwell DM, Liu DM, Zikria JF. The development, commercialization, and clinical context of yttrium-90 radiolabeled resin and glass microspheres. Adv Radiat Oncol. 2016;1:351–64.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. Gaba RC, Lewandowski RJ, Kulik LM, Riaz A, Ibrahim SM, Mulcahy MF, et al. Radiation lobectomy: preliminary findings of hepatic volumetric response to lobar yttrium-90 radioembolization. Ann Surg Oncol. 2009;16:1587–96.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Jakobs TF, Saleem S, Atassi B, et al. Fibrosis, portal hypertension, and hepatic volume. changes induced by intra-arterial radiotherapy with yttrium-90 microspheres. Dig Dis Sci. 2008;53:2556–63.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Chou WC, Lee CL, Yang TS, Huang CY, Teng W, Tseng YT, et al. Changes in serum α-fetoprotein level predicts treatment response and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and literature review. J Formos Med Assoc. 2018;117:153–63.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Ashley McCrea-Strub, PhD for performing statistical analyses and Sara Gardenghi, PhD; Chantal Caviness, MD, MPH, PhD; Kristina Wasson-Blader, PhD, ELS; Shannon Hach, MD, ELS; Adia Shy, PhD; and Edward Gloria of Eubio for editorial support. D.K. has received personal fees from Merit Medical, Cook Medical, LivaNova, Surefire Medical, Philips Healthcare, grants from Biolife, outside the submitted work. H.L. has received personal fees from Roche, Ipsen, Eisai, Taiho, Lilly, and LEO, outside the submitted work. D.M.L. has received grants and personal fees from Sirtex Medical, Grants and personal fees from BTG, outside the submitted work.

Funding

This study was not supported by any funding. Medical writing support was funded by Sirtex Medical, Inc., and performed by Eubio LLC.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, 855 W 12th Ave, JP Pavilion G873, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada

    Leandro Cardarelli-Leite, John Chung, Darren Klass, Frank Chou, Stephen Ho, Henry Walton, Anastasia Hadjivassiliou & David M. Liu

  2. Division of Gastroenterology, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Vladimir Marquez

  3. British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Howard Lim

  4. Department of Surgery, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Peter Tae Wan Kim

Authors
  1. Leandro Cardarelli-Leite
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John Chung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Darren Klass
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Vladimir Marquez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Frank Chou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Stephen Ho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Henry Walton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Howard Lim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Peter Tae Wan Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Anastasia Hadjivassiliou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. David M. Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

LCL, JC, DK, SH, AH, and DML developed the concept and designed the study, acquired and analyzed the data, and interpreted and discussed the results. LCL, VM, HL, AH, PK, and DML participated in drafting the manuscript and critically revised its intellectual content. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript. All authors agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leandro Cardarelli-Leite.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

All other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Consent for Publication

For this type of study consent for publication is not required.

Ethical Approval

For this type of study formal consent is not required. The study was approved by the institutional review board.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cardarelli-Leite, L., Chung, J., Klass, D. et al. Ablative Transarterial Radioembolization Improves Survival in Patients with HCC and Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 43, 411–422 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-019-02404-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-019-02404-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation