Effect of Bevacizumab Combined with Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in the Treatment of Inoperable Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

doi:10.16048/j.issn.2095-5561.2025.05.16

Abstract：Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab combined with transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in the treatment of inoperable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Ninety patients with inoperable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from April 2020 to December 2022 were selected. There were 51 males and 39 females, with a mean age of (57.31±6.12) years (range 41–73 years). Patients were divided into a conventional group (n=45) and a study group (n=45) according to different treatment methods. The conventional group received DEB-TACE treatment, while the study group received additional bevacizumab treatment. The short-term treatment outcomes, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+), serum tumor markers, liver function indicators, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results The objective response rate (ORR) of the study group was 75.6% (34/45), disease control rate (DCR) was 88.9% (40/45), 2-year overall survival (OS) rate was 31.1% (14/45), and 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 17.8% (8/45), which were higher than those of the conventional group (42.2% (19/45), 73.3% (33/45), 13.3% (6/45), and 0% (0/45), respectively), with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). After three months of treatment, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, and albumin in the study group were higher than those in the conventional group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05), while CD8+, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), abnormal prothrombin (DPPI), total bilirubin, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were lower in the study group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the study group was 8.9% (4/45), which was lower than that in the conventional group (31.1% (14/45)), with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion Bevacizumab combined with DEB-TACE for the treatment of inoperable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma can improve the response and control rates, with high efficacy and safety.