Treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma using transarterial chemoembolisation with irinotecan-eluting beads: analysis of efficacy and safety

Purpose This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and factors affecting the prognosis of transarterial chemoembolisation with irinotecan-eluting beads with CalliSpheres (DEB-TACE) for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Materials and Methods We retrospectively collected data on 39 patients with unresectable ICC who received DEB-TACE therapy. We assessed the indicators of tumour response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and the incidence of adverse events. PFS and OS were analysed using Kaplan–Meier curves, while Cox analysis was used to identify factors affecting the prognosis. Results The 3-month objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) of the 39 patients with unresectable ICC were 35.9% and 56.4%, respectively, while the 6-month ORR and DCR were 23.0% and 40.9%, respectively. The median OS and PFS were 11.0 months and 8.0 months, respectively. Cox analysis demonstrated that combined therapy (adjuvant sorafenib after DEB-TACE) and a low cancer antigen (CA) 125 level (≤ 35 U/ml) were independent favourable prognostic factors. Transient elevation of the aminotransferase level, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and hyper-bilirubinaemia were common adverse events in patients with unresectable ICC treated with DEB-TACE with CalliSphere beads (CBs). Hepatic abscess was the most serious complication, observed in one patient. Conclusions DEB-TACE with CBs is a safe and well-tolerated therapy in patients with unresectable ICC with a low incidence of adverse events and relatively prolonged survival. Combined therapy and low CA125 are prognostic factors associated with longer survival.