Comparison of Response and Outcomes of Drug-eluting Bead Chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) Versus Radioembolization (TARE) for Patients With Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

Abstract

Background: To compare outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) treated by drug-eluting bead chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) or radioembolization (TARE).

Patients and methods: A single-center retrospective review was carried out on 202 patients with CRCLM, treated by DEB-TACE (n=47) or TARE (n=155) patients. Propensity-matching yielded 44 pairs. Paired statistical analysis was performed on matched pair demographics, treatment response, and survival.

Results: Patients treated with DEB-TACE had worse extra-hepatic metastasis (68.1 vs. 47.7%, p=0.014) and ≥10 liver lesions (42.2 vs. 68.8%, p=0.001). Matched patients treated with DEB-TACE had a trend towards worse toxicity (27% vs. 9.1% (p=0.057). Index DEB-TACE treatment was not a prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio=0.94, 95% confidence intervaI=0.54-1.65; p=0.83).

Conclusion: In the matched CRCLM cohort, there was a trend towards worse toxicity post-DEB-TACE treatment, but it was not an independent prognostic factor for survival.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer liver metastases; drug-eluting bead chemoembolization; propensity matching; radioembolization; survival outcomes.