Transcatheter arterial chemical infusion for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: long-term outcome and predictor of survival

To evaluate the long-term outcome and the predictor of survival in patients treated with transcatheter arterial chemical infusion for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). From May 2008 to August 2014, a total of 40 consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC who underwent transcatheter arterial chemical infusion were enrolled in this retrospective study. Data on patients' characteristics, treatment response and follow-up were collected and analyzed. A total of 142 cycles of transcatheter arterial chemical infusion were administered to the 40 patients (3.55 cycles per case). In 21 patients, only the bronchial artery was the tumor feeding artery, while in the remaining 19 patients, other arteries in addition to the bronchial artery served as the tumor feeding arteries. Five patients underwent bronchial arterial embolization after transcatheter arterial chemical infusion. There was no serious procedure-related complication. During 1-60 months (mean 11.5 +/- 10.0 months) follow-up, 33 patients died. The objective response and disease control rates were 32.5 and 92.5 %, respectively. The mean time to tumor progression and overall survival was 9.2 +/- 1.4 and 13.1 +/- 2.0 months, respectively. Based on univariate and multivariate analyses, the independent predictors of decreasing overall survival were airway, esophagus, or superior vena cava involvement (P = 0.037) and more tumor feeding arteries in addition to the bronchial artery (P = 0.003). Transcatheter arterial chemical infusion is an easy and effective method for treating patients with advanced NSCLC and it can provide a favorable long-term outcome.