Vascular endothelial growth factor monitoring in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with radiofrequency ablation plus octreotide: A single center experience

Local therapies such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) represent a valuable choice in limited hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and are increasingly used also in advanced tumors. Medical treatments generally gave frustrating results in advanced HCC especially if comorbidities exist. Several biologic non-chemotherapeutic drugs are currently tested in HCC and, among them, octreotide was evaluated in single series of HCC patients reporting conflicting results. We have treated a series of 35 patients affected by advanced HCC (26 M and 9 F; age range: 55-85 years, median: 73 years) with RFA followed by octreotide to primarily evaluate the safety of combined treatment and to give preliminary evaluation on its activity. We have also evaluated serum VEGF changes during the study. Child A and Child B represented 60% and about 34% of the cases, respectively. Only two patients with Child C compensated cirrhosis were included in this study. All patients have multiple liver HCC nodules and one had bone metastases. Two complete responses, 3 partial responses and 23 disease stabilization for at least three months were obtained (overall response rate, 14,2%; clinical benefit, 80%). Mean overall survival was 31.4 months. The combined treatment was well tolerated. Statistically significant correlation was found between serum VEGF and tumor progression. In conclusion, the combination of RFA and octreotide was active in advanced HCC, however, confirmation in a larger series is required.