Efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with capecitabine and cetuximab in the treatment of colorectal cancer with liver metastasis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with capecitabine and cetuximab in the treatment of colorectal cancer with liver metastasis. Methods: The colorectal cancer patients with liver metastasis were divided into two groups, namely, Capecitabine group (receiving TACE combined with capecitabine and cetuximab, n=70) and Control group (undergoing TACE combined with cetuximab, n=70). The short-term clinical efficacy, serum tumor markers and liver function indexes were compared. Besides, the survival of patients was analyzed. Results: At 3 months after treatment, the serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly lower than those before treatment in both group, and they were lower in Capecitabine group than those in Control group after treatment. The liver function indexes, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, were significantly increased, while the level of albumin was significantly decreased in both groups at 3 d after treatment, and they were improved significantly at 7 d after treatment in contrast with those at 3 d after treatment. After treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in the Karnofsky performance status score and Quality of Life score between Capecitabine group and Control group. The median survival time of patients in Capecitabine group and Control group was 18.1 months and 14.7 months, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the 1-year overall survival rate between Capecitabine group and Control group. Moreover, the cumulative survival rate was significantly higher in Capecitabine group than that in Control group. Conclusion: The short-term efficacy of TACE combined with capecitabine and cetuximab in treating colorectal cancer with liver metastasis is superior to that of TACE combined with cetuximab.