Update of the Bologna Experience in Radioembolization of Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract

Background Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primitive liver cancer and is rising in incidence worldwide. Given its low survival and resectability rates, locoregional therapies such as Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (Y-TARE) are increasingly being employed. This retrospective study aim was to confirm and update our previous results about overall survival (OR), safety, and efficacy of Y-TARE in patients with unresectable/recurrent ICC. Materials and Methods OS was evaluated as primary endpoint while radiological tumor response at 3 months, based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1, was considered as secondary endpoint. Results Over a total of 49 patients, the overall median survival was 16 months (27-41 months, 95% confidence interval [CI]) from Y-TARE procedure. A significantly longer survival was recorded in naive patients compared to patients previously submitted to any type of liver-directed treatment and radical surgery (18 vs 14 months, P =.015 and 28 vs 14 months, P =.001, respectively). Target lesion and overall objective response for RECIST 1.1 criteria were 64.6% and 52.1%, respectively. Low rates of postprocedural and late complications were recorded. Conclusions In unresectable and recurrent ICC, Y-TARE confirms its safety and its potential in increasing OS, especially in naive patients.