Serum transferrin as a predictor of prognosis for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Issue 5 (22nd May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zaitsu, Junichi; Yamasaki, Takahiro; Saeki, Issei; Harima, Yohei; Iwamoto, Takuya; Harima, Yumiko; Matsumoto, Toshihiko; Urata, Yohei; Hidaka, Isao; Marumoto, Yoshio; Ishikawa, Tsuyoshi; Takami, Taro; Yamamoto, Naoki; Kaino, Seiji; Uchida, Koichi; Terai, Shuji; Sakaida, Isao
• Is Part Of: Hepatology research. Volume 44:Issue 5(2014:May)
• Page Start: 481
• Page End: 490
• Publication Date: 2013-05-22
• Subjects: Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver Diseases -- Periodicals; Foie -- Maladies -- Périodiques; 616.362
• DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12141
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1386-6346

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="hepr12141-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>We recently reported that the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) is efficacious in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Iron regulation may thus have an important impact in HCC therapy. Because transferrin is a native chelator that regulates iron homeostasis, it may act as an anticancer agent in a similar manner as DFO. The objective of this study was to evaluate serum transferrin as a prognostic predictor in advanced HCC patients undergoing hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC).</p> </sec> <sec id="hepr12141-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We retrospectively studied 44 patients receiving HAIC and analyzed various parameters for their possible use as prognostic predictors.</p> </sec> <sec id="hepr12141-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The 1‐, 2‐ and 3‐year cumulative survival rates were 36.4%, 18.2% and 8.5%, respectively, and the median survival time (MST) was 7.0 months. The survival rates of patients who had serum transferrin of 190 mg/dL or more (MST, 12.0 months) were significantly better than those of patients who had serum transferrin of less than 190 mg/dL (MST, 4.9 months). Multivariate analysis identified serum transferrin of 190 mg/dL or more (hazard ratio [HR], 0.282; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.132–0.603; <italic>P</italic> = 0.001) and Child–Pugh score B (HR, 1.956; 95% CI, 1.034–3.700; <italic>P</italic> = 0.039) as independent prognostic predictors. There was a significant correlation between serum transferrin level and therapeutic effect (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001).</p> </sec> <sec id="hepr12141-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Serum transferrin could be useful as a prognostic predictor in advanced HCC patients before HAIC treatment.</p> </sec> </abstract>