Propensity Score Matching Analysis of Changes in Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels after Combined Radiotherapy and Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus

Yuri Jeong, Sang Min Yoon, Seungbong Han, Ju Hyun Shim, Kang Mo Kim, Young-Suk Lim, Han Chu Lee, So Yeon Kim, Jin-hong Park, Sang-wook Lee, Seung Do Ahn, Eun Kyung Choi and Jong Hoon Kim

PLOS ONE, 2015, vol. 10, issue 8, 1-10

Abstract: Background and Aim: To investigate the value of changes in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels for the prediction of radiologic response and survival outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) who received combined treatment of 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods: A database of 154 HCC patients with PVTT and elevated AFP levels (>20 ng/mL) treated with 3D-CRT and TACE as an initial treatment between August 2002 and August 2008 was retrospectively reviewed. AFP levels were determined 1 month after radiotherapy, and AFP response was defined as an AFP level reduction of >20% from the initial level. Radiologic response, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were compared between AFP responders and non-responders. Propensity-score based matching analysis was performed to minimize the effect of potential confounding bias. Results: The median follow-up period was 11.1 months (range, 3.1–82.7 months). In the propensity-score matching cohort (92 pairs), a best radiologic response of CR or PR occurred in more AFP responders than AFP non-responders (41.3% vs. 10.9%, p

Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0135298

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135298

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