Conditions: Liver Cancer
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 30
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
This single-arm, open-label study assessed the efficacy and safety of Avastin (bevacizumab) treatment combined with transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) in patients with localized unresectable liver cancer. Patients were treated with TACE at 8 or 10 week intervals for 4 sessions (continuation depended on investigator's discretion). Avastin 5 mg/kg intravenously was administered 24-48 hours prior to each TACE session and every 2 weeks between the TACE sessions until disease progression.

Detailed description:

Arms:
arm 1: Participants received bevacizumab 5 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks and within 24-48 hours prior to each transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) until disease progression or unmanageable toxicity. TACE was conducted for 4 sessions at 8-10 week intervals.

Interventions: intervention 1: Bevacizumab intervention 2: Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE)
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Bevacizumab was supplied as a sterile liquid in single-use vials. intervention 2: TACE was conducted by the transfemoral artery approach with selective cannulation of the artery supplying the tumor. Cisplatin mixed with Lipiodol in a 1 mg:1 mL ratio was infused intra-arterially up to a maximum dose of 30 mg, depending on tumor size, followed by embolization of the artery using Gelfoam particle until the blood flow slowed. Bilobar lesions were treated by separate catheterization of right and left hepatic arteries followed by injection of the cisplatin-Lipiodol mixture and embolization.

Patients with stable disease or a partial response after 4 TACE sessions could be given further TACEs upon the investigator's discretion until there was evidence of progressive disease or contraindication due to severe complication or technical failure to perform the TACE.

Protocol document: