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Clinical application of a combination therapy of lentinan, multi-electrode RFA and TACE in HCC

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Abstract

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancer-related causes of death worldwide and there is a clear need for further treatment options. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of a combination of lentinan (a fungal extract), transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in HCC patients.

Methods

Seventy-eight patients with HCC confirmed by pathology and iconographical checks were used in this study. A total of 136 tumours with a mean diameter of 6.5 cm were detected (standard deviation [SD]±0.7). Subjects were divided into four groups, receiving either TACE only, RFA only, RFA and TACE, or the combination group — receiving lentinan, RFA and TACE.

Results

The tumour necrosis was significantly higher in the combination group (88.6%), compared to the TACE group (37.5%), the RFA group (47.8%) and the TACE/RFA group (60.3%; P<0.05). The tumour recurrence rate was significantly lower in the combination group (17.8%), compared to the TACE group (45.8%), the RFA group (34.7%) and the TACE/RFA group (29.0%; P<0.05). Finally, mean survival duration was significantly higher in the combination group (28.2 months; P<0.05).

Conclusion

Combination therapy involving lentinan, RFA and TACE was beneficial in terms of increasing mean survival duration, tumour necrosis and reducing the recurrence rate. Lentinan may therefore be of benefit to HCC patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Invasive Technology Department, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China

    Po Yang

  2. Medical Technology Department, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China

    Minghui Liang

  3. Nuclear Medicine Department, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China

    Yingxun Zhang

  4. Medical Imaging Department, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China

    Baozhong Shen

Authors
  1. Po Yang
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  2. Minghui Liang
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Correspondence to Baozhong Shen.

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Yang, P., Liang, M., Zhang, Y. et al. Clinical application of a combination therapy of lentinan, multi-electrode RFA and TACE in HCC. Adv Therapy 25, 787–794 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-008-0079-x

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