Prophylactic Hepatic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy Improved Survival after Curative Resection in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background/Aims: To explore the effect of prophylactic hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) on survival probability after curative resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Methodology: 85 patients with HCC were randomly assigned to HAIC group (42 cases) and control group (43 patients), all the database of two groups had no significant difference. Patients in HAIC groups underwent hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (5-FU 1000mg/m(2) on day 1, Oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2) on day 1 and Gemcitabine 1000mg/m2 on day 1 and 8) starting 3 weeks after operation with intervals of 4 weeks. All patients were followed up for 3 years and intrahepatic recurrence-free survival, disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate were recorded. Results: Intrahepatic recurrence rate of HAIC group and the control group was respectively 19.05% and 39.53%, P<0.05. Disease-free survival rate was respectively 57.14% and 44.19%, P <0.05. Overall survival rate was 66.67% and 46.51%, P <0.05. All patients in HAIC group tolerated the therapy. No adverse effect above grade 3 was reported in HAIC group. Conclusion: HAIC effectively and safely prevents intrahepatic recurrence and improves the prognosis of patients with HCC after curative resection.