Objective:To compare the effects of drug-loaded microsphere TACE (D-TACE) and iodinated oil emulsion TACE (cTACE) on liver fibrosis in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Clinical data of 113 patients with HCC treated with D-TACE or cTACE at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2019 to September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 96 males and 17 females, aged (56.8±9.8) years old. According to treatment protocol, patients were divided into two groups: the D-TACE group ( n=57) and the cTACE group ( n=56). Liver fibrosis panel, fibrosis index (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) were compared between the groups at four timepoints: pre-treatment, one month after the first TACE, one month after the second TACE, and 12 months after the first TACE. Follow-ups were conducted through outpatient visits or telephone reviews to assess patient survivals. Data including the progression-free survival (PFS) and number of TACE sessions were compared between the two groups. Results:The D-TACE group received 2.84±1.12 sessions of treatment during the observation period, compared to 4.05±1.44 sessions of cTACE group ( t=4.94, P<0.001). The median PFS in D-TACE and cTACE groups were 10.0 and 5.0 months, respectively ( P<0.001). At one month after the second TACE and at 12 months after the first TACE, patients in cTACE group had a higher serum levels of fibrosis markers including hyaluronic acid, type IV collagen, type III procollagen N peptide and laminin than those in D-TACE group (all P<0.05). At the same timepoints, patients in cTACE group also had higher APRI, FIB-4 and LSM than those in D-TACE group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared to cTACE, patients in D-TACE group received fewer sessions of treatment during the first year after initial TACE, and the degree of liver fibrosis was also lower in D-TACE group.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of camrelizumab added to second-line therapy after drug- eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DTACE) combined with apatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 89 HCC patients with camrelizumab added to second-line therapy who attended The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2019 to December 2020. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after the application of camrelizumab, and the secondary endpoints were objective remission rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves, the Log-rank test was used for stratified analysis of subgroups based on baseline characteristics, and the influencing factors for prognosis were analyzed. Results A total of 89 patients were screened and followed up in this study. The patients were followed up to December 2021, with a median follow-up time of 16 months, a median OS time of 17.0 (95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 15.3-18.7) months, and a median PFS time of 7.0 (95% CI : 6.2-7.8) months. There were significant differences in OS and PFS between the patients with different ECOG-PS scores, liver function Child-Pugh classes, portal vein invasion, patterns of progression, times of DTACE treatment, durations of oral administration of apatinib, and durations of application of camrelizumab (all P < 0.05). At 3 and 6 months after the application of camrelizumab, ORR was 39.3% and 22.4%, respectively, and DCR was 80.9% and 54.1%, respectively. The univariate analysis using the Log-rank test showed that compared with the patients receiving 0 time of DTACE treatment, the patients receiving 3-4 or 1-2 times of DTACE treatment had significant improvements in median OS [22.0 (95% CI : 21.1-22.9) months and 17.0 (95% CI : 15.8-18.2) months vs 10.0 (95% CI : 7.0-13.0) months, χ 2 =31.423, P < 0.001] and PFS [10.0 (95% CI : 7.0-13.0) months and 7.0 (95% CI : 6.2-7.8) months vs 3.0 (95% CI : 1.9-4.1) months, χ 2 =20.741, P < 0.001]; compared with the patients using apatinib for ≤4 months, the patients using apatinib for > 4 months had significant improvements in median OS [21.0 (95% CI : 19.1-22.9) months vs 14.0 (95% CI : 10.4-17.6) months, χ 2 =19.399, P < 0.001] and PFS [9.0 (95% CI : 7.3-10.7) months vs 5.0 (95% CI : 4.0-6.0) months, χ 2 =27.733, P < 0.001]; compared with the patients using camrelizumab for ≤5 months, the patients using camrelizumab for > 5 months had significant improvements in median OS [22.0 (95% CI : 20.2-23.8) months vs 13.0 (95% CI : 9.3-16.7) months, χ 2 =22.336, P < 0.001] and PFS [9.0 (95% CI : 7.0-11.0) months vs 5.0 (95% CI : 4.1-5.9) months, χ 2 =26.141, P < 0.001]. Post-embolization syndrome was the adverse event after DTACE and resolved after symptomatic treatment. Adverse reactions related to targeted drugs and immunotherapy all resolved after symptomatic supportive treatment, with no grade ≥4 adverse reactions, and no patients withdrew from target-free therapy due to TRAEs. Conclusion As for DTACE combined with apatinib in the treatment of unresectable HCC, camrelizumab added after progression has a marked therapeutic efficacy with safe and controllable TRAEs.

BACKGROUND: The effect of intra-operative chemotherapy (IOC) on the long-term survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the independent effect of intra-operative infusion of 5-fluorouracil in combination with calcium folinate on the survival of CRC patients following radical resection. METHODS: 1820 patients were recruited, and 1263 received IOC and 557 did not. Clinical and demographic data were collected, including overall survival (OS), clinicopathological features, and treatment strategies. Risk factors for IOC-related deaths were identified using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. A regression model was developed to analyze the independent effects of IOC. RESULTS: Proportional hazard regression analysis showed that IOC (hazard ratio [HR]=0.53, 95% confidence intervals [CI] [0.43, 0.65], P  < 0.001) was a protective factor for the survival of patients. The mean overall survival time in IOC group was 82.50 (95% CI [80.52, 84.49]) months, and 71.21 (95% CI [67.92, 74.50]) months in non-IOC group. The OS in IOC-treated patients were significantly higher than non-IOC-treated patients ( P  < 0.001, log-rank test). Further analysis revealed that IOC decreased the risk of death in patients with CRC in a non-adjusted model (HR=0.53, 95% CI [0.43, 0.65], P  < 0.001), model 2 (adjusted for age and gender, HR=0.52, 95% CI [0.43, 0.64], P  < 0.001), and model 3 (adjusted for all factors, 95% CI 0.71 [0.55, 0.90], P  = 0.006). The subgroup analysis showed that the HR for the effect of IOC on survival was lower in patients with stage II (HR = 0.46, 95% CI [0.31, 0.67]) or III disease (HR=0.59, 95% CI [0.45, 0.76]), regardless of pre-operative radiotherapy (HR=0.55, 95% CI [0.45, 0.68]) or pre-operative chemotherapy (HR=0.54, 95% CI [0.44, 0.66]). CONCLUSIONS: IOC is an independent factor that influences the survival of CRC patients. It improved the OS of patients with stages II and III CRC after radical surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR 2100043775.
Humans ; Fluorouracil/therapeutic use* ; Leucovorin/therapeutic use* ; Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prognosis

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of ¹²⁵I intraluminal irradiation combined with lenvatinib in the treatment of progressive extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 25 patients with progressive extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who attended Department of Interventional Radiology， The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University， from January 2018 to November 2021， and according to the treatment modality， they were divided into combination group with 13 patients （¹²⁵I intraluminal irradiation combined with lenvatinib） and control group （¹²⁵I intraluminal irradiation alone）. The two groups were compared in terms of technical success rates， changes in liver function， stent patency， survival time， and incidence rates of adverse events. The independent－samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Wilcoxon rank－sum test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between two groups； the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan－Meier method and the log－rank test were used to evaluate survival time and stent patency. ResultsAll patients had successful implantation of biliary stents and ¹²⁵I particles， with a technical success rate of 100%. After 1 month of treatment， both groups had significant improvements in the serum levels of total bilirubin， direct bilirubin， alanine aminotransferase， and aspartate aminotransferase （all P<0.05）. There were significant differences between the control group and the combination group in the duration of stent patency （7.0 months vs 9.5 months， P=0.022） and median survival time （11.5 months vs 15.6 months， P=0.008）. There were no intolerable adverse events in the combination group during treatment. ConclusionCompared with ¹²⁵I intraluminal irradiation alone， ¹²⁵I intraluminal irradiation combined with lenvatinib has better efficacy and is a safe and effective treatment regimen for progressive extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Objective:To establish the common carotid artery aneurysm models of Wallstent double stent overlapping implantation in miniature pigs, and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this procedure by observing the imaging and pathological changes.Methods:Sidewall aneurysm and fusiform aneurysm models in Bama miniature pigs were established surgically and 2 Wallstent stents were overlapped and implanted in situ. Aneurysm healing immediately after surgery and during 8 weeks of follow-up were evaluated according to 2D-DSA by O'Kelly-Marotta (OKM) grading scale and Kamran scale; degrees of stent adhesion immediately after surgery and status of stent endothelialization and aneurysm healing at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery were observed by high resolution C-arm CT(HR-CBCT) and optical coherence tomography (OCT); and the changes of stent endothelialization were evaluated by comparing the HR-CBCT and OCT results with histopathology at 8 weeks after surgery. Perioperative adverse events were recorded.Results:After successful establishment of common carotid artery aneurysm models (including 4 sidewall aneurysms and 4 fusiform aneurysms with average diameter of [11.0±2.8] mm) in 8 miniature pigs, a total of 16 Wallstent stents (2 in each aneurysm) were implanted across the aneurysmal neck, with a technical success rate of 100%. No serious complications such as acute stent thrombosis, or aneurysm rupture and bleeding were observed in the perioperative period. The 2D-DSA immediately after surgery showed obvious intracranial contrast agent retention in 6 patients (1 patient in grading 1, 3 in grading 2, and 2 in grading 3) and aneurysm occlusion in 2 patients (grading 4). Eight weeks after follow-up, all 8 aneurysms had complete occlusions (grading 4); and 2 experimental pigs had in-stent restenosis, with stenosis rates of 52% and 67%, respectively. HR-CBCT and OCT immediately after surgery and during follow-up indicated that the stent metal braid was gradually covered by proliferating intima, with disappeared aneurysm. The cause of in-stent restenosis in 2 experimental pigs was local intima hyperplasia resulted from poor stent adhesion, and pathological findings indicated that the intima hyperplasia was mainly composed of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissues.Conclusion:In animal models, Wallstent stent overlapping implantation is safe and effective in common carotid aneurysms, but intraoperative adverse adhesion of overlapping stent should be avoided.

Objective To investigate the cost-effect of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with CalliSpheres beads loaded with arsenic trioxide (ATO) (CBATO) versus ATO iodized oil emulsion (conventional TACE, cTACE) in the treatment of unresectable liver cancer. Methods A total of 100 patients with advanced liver cancer who attended The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled and divided into CBATO group( n =45) and cTACE group( n =55) according to the treatment regimen. Progression-free survival (PFS) was used to evaluate the efficacy of quality-adjusted life year (QALY), and European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) index was used to evaluate quality of life. The t -test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; the number of surgeries, length of hospital stay, treatment cost, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were calculated for the two groups, and then a cost-effect analysis was performed. Results Within the PFS time, the per capita hospital cost was 96 446 yuan in the CBATO group and 91 230.43 yuan in the cTACE group. There were significant differences between the two groups in the mean number of surgeries (2.5±0.7 vs 3.4±0.8, t =16.911, P < 0.01) and mean hospital stay (5.8±1.2 days vs 7.5±1.8 days, t =12.459, P < 0.01). The CBATO group had a significantly higher QALY than the cTACE group (0.804 vs 0.512). Compared with the cTACE group, the CBATO group had an ICER of 17 861.53 yuan/QALY for unresectable liver cancer. Conclusion Although CBATO has a higher surgery cost than cTACE, CBATO has a better clinical effect than cTACE and can reduce the number of surgeries and length of hospital stay, with a better postoperative quality of life than cTACE, suggesting that CBATO has marked cost-effect advantages.

Objective:To observe the short-term efficacy and safety of bronchial arterial chemoembolization (BACE) combined with anlotinib for treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:The clinical data of 14 patients with advanced NSCLC in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2018 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The short-term efficacy and adverse reactions of BACE combined with anlotinib hydrochloride were evaluated.Results:All patients successfully received BACE treatment twice. The median follow-up time was 19 months (8-26 months). The objective response rate (ORR) of patients at 1, 3 and 6 months after the first treatment was 100.0% (14/14), 71.4% (10/14) and 57.1% (8/14), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 100.0% (14/14), 92.8% (13/14) and 78.6% (11/14), respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 9.5 months (95% CI 9.0-17.3 months), and the 6-month and 12-month PFS rates were 78.6% and 28.6%, respectively. The median overall survival (OS) time was 19.0 months (95% CI 18.4-23.1 months), and the 6-month and 12-month OS rates were 100.0% and 85.7%, respectively. Anlotinib hydrochloride-related adverse reactions included hand-foot syndrome [42.9% (6/14)], fatigue [35.7% (5/14)], hypertension [35.7% (5/14)], oral mucositis [28.6% (4/14)], hemoptysis [28.6% (4/14)], elevated aminotransferases [21.4% (3/14)] and diarrhea [14.3% (2/14)]. There were no grade ≥3 adverse reactions. Conclusion:BACE combined with anlotinib is safe and effective for treatment of advanced NSCLC, and the short-term clinical efficacy is satisfactory.

To evaluate the clinical value of emergency endovascular embolization in the interventional treatment for oral hemorrhage caused by carcinoma, 32 patients with oral hemorrhage caused by carcinoma, who received emergency endovascular embolization due to unsatisfactory hemostatic effect of conventional conservative treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2014 to December 2019, were included in this study and their clinical data, laboratory data and imaging information were retrospectively analyzed. There were 16 males and 16 females, aged (60.6±13.6) years (34-88 years). Technical successful rate of emergency endovascular embolization, immediate successful rate of controlling hemorrhage, blood pressure before and after operation, hemoglobin before and after operation, postoperative complications and recurrence rate of oral hemorrhage were statistically analyzed. Results showed that technical successful rate of operation and immediate successful rate of controlling oral hemorrhage are both 100% (32/32). Recurrent oral hemorrhage occurred in 4 patients (13%). The hemorrhagic shock symptoms of all patients were significantly improved after interventional therapy. After operation, local swelling happened in 34% (11/32) patients and intermittent local pain happened in 22% (7/32) within 24 hours; the swelling and the pain gradually disappeared from 2nd to 5th days. Mild complications of transient fever happened in 9% (3/32) patients and disappeared spontaneously in the short term. No serious complications such as blindness, cerebrovascular accident or central nervous system disturbance occurred in all patients after operations. During the whole follow-up period (1 to 12 months), a total of 8 patients died. The causes of death were progression and metastasis of carcinoma ( n=4), heart failure ( n=2), severe pneumonia ( n=1) and respiratory failure caused by recurrent oral hemorrhage ( n=1). Owing to the remarkable short-term curative effect, repeatable operation, low recurrence rate of oral hemorrhage and low incidence of complications, emergency endovascular embolization can be used in the clinical therapy and application of oral hemorrhage caused by carcinoma.

Objective:To evaluate the curative effect, safety and feasibility of percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage(PTCD) combined with balloon dilatation in treating benign biliary-enteric anastomosis stricture(BBES).Methods:The clinical data of 33 patients with benign biliary-enteric anastomosis stricture, who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University during the period from January 2013 to May 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 23 cases of benign etiology and 10 cases of malignant etiology, benign strictures of which 15 cases were located in the hepatic hilum and of which 18 cases outside of it. All patients were considered as benign stenosis by at least two imaging examinations of magnetic resonance imaging of pancreatic or enhanced MRI or enhanced CT, laboratory examinations of tumor markers and other clinical data before operation. 10 cases of malignant etiology were confirmed by intraoperative biopsy and pathology. All patients were treated with balloon dilatation at an interval of 1 to 4 weeks after PTCD. The changes of clinical symptoms, bilirubin and liver function before and after operation were compared and analyzed, and the postoperative complications and anastomotic patency rate were followed up.Results:PTCD combined with balloon dilatation was performed successfully in all patients, and the success rate was 100%. After operation, the benign biliary-enteric anastomosis stricture was significantly improved in all patients, and the clinical symptoms were improved obviously. The liver function and bilirubin decreased significantly in all patients after operation, and there was significant statistical significance ( P<0.05). There is no serious complications such as biliary bleeding and biliary fistula were found after operation. At 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months and 36 months after operation, the anastomotic patency rates of all patients were 90.9%(30/33), 72.7%(24/33), 63.6%(21/33), 63.6%(21/33), 60.6%(20/33), respectively. During the whole follow-up period, anastomotic restenosis happened in 13 patients, of which 9 cases with restenosis, the benign stenosis site of the anastomosis was the hepatic hilum and of which 4 cases located on the outside of the hepatic hilum. After treatment, the incidence of benign restenosis of the anastomosis at the hepatic hilum (60.0%, 9/15) was higher than that at outside of the hepatic hilum (22.2%, 4/18) and it's statistically significant ( P<0.05). Among the 13 patients with recurrence of BBES, 4 cases underwent choledochojejunostomy for malignant causes and 9 cases with benign causes. The recurrence rates after the first balloon dilatation were 40.0% (4/10) and 39.1% (9/23), respectively, and the average recurrence time was 5.8 months and 6.8 months respectively, the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). Conclusion:For the treatment of benign biliary-enteric anastomosis stricture, percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage combined with balloon dilatation with reliable curative effect, with high safety and less trauma, with less operative complications, and with repeatability, so it is worth applying in clinic.

Objective:To investigate the morphological feature and clinical significance of MRI around tumor after drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) of primary hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:We reviewed and analyzed the data of hepatocellular carcinoma patients admitted from January 2017 to December 2018 in the Department of Radiological Intervention of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. A total of 42 patients were enrolled, including 35 males and 7 females, aged (57.0±11.9) years. For the first time after operation, MRI enhancement showed peri-tumor margin enhancement as the starting point of follow-up. Follow-up and measure enhanced edge thickness, delayed enhancement, progression or remission data.Results:A total of 49 tumors and 84 peritumoral enhancement margins were included in 42 patients, with 30 sharp type , 40 rough type and 14 nodular type. The thickness of sharp type is less than that of rough type and nsodular type, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The sharp type is the majority of the tumors with maximum diameter <5 cm, rough type and nodule type are the majority of tumors with maximum diameter ≥5 cm. Most of the sharp type are continuously enhanced, while the rough type and nodular type are not. Most sharp type relief (93.3%, 28/30), while rough type (80.0%, 32/40) and nodular type ( n=12) are mostly of deterioration, the differences are statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with the rough type and nodular type, the sharp type usually occurs in smaller tumors and more prone to local mitigation in the enhanced morphology around MRI after DEB-TACE in primary hepatocellular carcinoma.