Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40960276›Full record

Trial reportLiver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver2025

Fucoidan Improves Tumour Control and Liver Function in TACE for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Randomised Trial.

Yanting Zou, Szu-Yuan Wu, Wanqin Zhang, Wei Zhang, Xizhong Shen, Xudong Qu, Qunyan Yao

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Fucoidan Improves Tumour Control and Liver Function in TACE for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Randomised Trial.Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver · 2025
    Trial
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Yanting ZouDepartment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Szu-Yuan WuGraduate Institute of Business Administration, College of Management, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan.ORCID 0000-0001-5637-558X
Wanqin ZhangDepartment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Wei ZhangDepartment of Interventional Therapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Xizhong ShenDepartment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Xudong QuDepartment of Interventional Therapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.ORCID 0000-0003-1222-3036
Qunyan YaoDepartment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Funding

Horizontal Project in collaboration with Kelin Clinical Bioinformatics Institute B2018-252R
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard locoregional therapy for unresectable HCC but is limited by high recurrence and hepatic toxicity. Low-molecular-weight fucoidan (LMF), a sulfated polysaccharide from brown seaweed, has anticancer and hepatoprotective properties. This study assessed whether LMF enhances tumour response and preserves liver function when combined with TACE.

methodsIn this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 82 patients with unresectable HCC were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive LMF (4.4 g twice daily) or placebo for 6 months in addition to TACE. Tumour response was assessed using modified RECIST criteria, and liver function was monitored via Child-Pugh classification. The primary endpoint was disease control rate (DCR), with objective response rate (ORR), liver function and adverse events as secondary endpoints.

resultsBaseline characteristics were well balanced. DCR was significantly higher in the LMF group (95.24% vs. 80.00%, p = 0.035), with a lower progressive disease rate (4.76% vs. 20.00%). ORR was higher in the LMF group (52.38% vs. 35.00%) but not statistically significant (p = 0.1129). LMF preserved liver function (p = 0.029), with more patients maintaining Child-Pugh Class A (80.95% vs. 62.50%). Adverse event rates were similar, and no severe adverse events occurred.

conclusionsLMF improved tumour control, preserved liver function and had a favourable safety profile. These findings suggest LMF may mitigate TACE-related hepatic toxicity and prolong treatment eligibility, warranting further validation in larger trials.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsCarcinoma, HepatocellularChemoembolization, TherapeuticLiver NeoplasmsPolysaccharidesAdultAgedDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansLiverLiver Function TestsMaleMiddle AgedTreatment OutcomeAntineoplastic AgentsfucoidanPolysaccharidesdisease control ratehepatocellular carcinomahepatoprotectionlow‐molecular‐weight fucoidantransarterial chemoembolization

Identifiers

PMID40960276
PMCPMC12442522

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.