OBJECTIVETo analyze the long-term therapeutic effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) before liver transplantation.

METHODSForty-six patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing liver transplantation in our department between November, 2009 and November, 2011 were analyzed. Of these patients, 24 received TACE before the surgery while the other 22 did not. We compared the liver graft function (ALT and AST levels), immune function (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8, NK cells, activated T cells), cumulative survival rate and disease-free survival rate between the two groups at 1 year and 2 years after the operation.

RESULTSThe patients receiving preoperative TACE showed significantly better liver functions and immune function than those who did not receive TACE (P<0.01 and 0.05). The cumulative disease-free survival rate in the two groups were 72% and 46% at 1 year, and were 57% and 33% at two years, respectively (P<0.05); the cumulative survival rate in the two groups were 84% and 55% at 1 year, and 63% and 34% at two years, respectively (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTACE prior to liver transplantation can significantly improve the postoperative liver function, immune function, disease-free survival and cumulative survival rates in patients with HCC.