Immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: a promising approach for advanced liver cancer.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of combining immunotherapy and targeted therapy with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for advanced liver cancer.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 144 patients with advanced liver cancer, divided into three groups based on treatment choice: TACE group, the TACE + immunotherapy group, and the TACE + immunotherapy + targeted therapy group, with 48 patients in each group. Short-term efficacy, T lymphocyte subsets (CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+), Th1/Th2 cytokines (interleukin-2 [IL-2], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], IL-4, IL-6), tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, carbohydrate antigen 199 [CA199], CA125), angiogenesis-related factors (vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, basic fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor), and liver function indicators (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, albumin), adverse reactions, and long-term prognosis were compared.

Results: Disease control rates for the three groups were 47.92%, 56.25%, and 77.08%, respectively. Objective response rates were 19.00%, 25.00%, and 45.83% (all P < 0.05). The combined therapy group showed significantly improved CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+, tumor markers, angiogenesis factors, and liver function indicators compared to the other groups (all P < 0.05). Progression-free and cumulative survival rates were also significantly better in the combined therapy group (both P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Combining immunotherapy and targeted therapy with TACE offers significant advantages in treating advanced liver cancer, including improved tumor control, enhanced survival, better liver function, reduced tumor marker levels, and enhanced immune response, with a favorable safety profile.