Efficacy of drug‐eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization in patients with intermediate to advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and its effects on serum γ‐glutamyltransferase, calcium‐phosphorus metabolism, and hepatic reserve function

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of drug‐eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB‐TACE) in patients with intermediate to advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its effects on serum γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), calcium‐phosphorus metabolism, and hepatic reserve.

Methodology: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 120 patients with intermediate to advanced HCC treated at Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University between January 2020 to December 2024. Based on the interventional approach, patients were divided into a control group (n = 60) and an observation group (n = 60). The control group received conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE), while the observation group underwent DEB‐TACE. The two groups were compared in terms of treatment response, serum biomarkers, calcium‐phosphorus metabolism, hepatic reserve.

Results: The disease control rate was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Serum levels of GGT, α‐fetoprotein, and carcinoembryonic antigen decreased in both groups, with significantly greater reductions observed in the observation group (P < 0.05, respectively). Likewise, serum calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone, and the calcium‐phosphorus product declined in both groups, with significantly lower levels in the observation group (P < 0.05, respectively). After treatment, liver function parameters, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, and total bilirubin, also improved in both groups, with more pronounced improvements in the observation group (P < 0.05, respectively). The overall incidence of adverse reactions did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: DEB‐TACE demonstrates multidimensional clinical benefits in the treatment of intermediate and advanced HCC. It offers superior disease control, effectively reduces serum tumor markers, ameliorates calcium‐phosphorus metabolic disturbances.