Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: Is the addition of subcutaneous interferon-α-2b beneficial?

We previously reported the benefits of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) using cisplatin (CDDP), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) [low-dose FP], and leucovorin/isovorin for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we investigated the efficacy of combination therapy with HAIC and subcutaneous interferon (IFN)- alpha-2b in patients with advanced HCC. Of the 48 patients, 31 received low-dose FP with leucovorin/isovorin (HAIC group) and 17 received combination therapy comprising low-dose FP with isovorin and subcutaneous IFN-alpha-2b (combination group). Prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses of the patient and the disease characteristics. There were no significant differences in the response rate (patients with complete or partial response/all patients; P = 0.736) and survival (P = 0.399) between both groups. Univariate analysis revealed that IFN therapy was not a significant prognostic factor. Multivariate analysis showed 3 variables, namely, Child-Pugh score (P = 0.010), alpha-fetoprotein level (P = 0.0047), and additional therapy (P = 0.002), to be significant prognostic factors. We considered that combination therapy with HAIC and subcutaneous interferon (IFN)-alpha-2b was not beneficial for advanced HCC.