ArticleCancer management and research2026
Efficacy and Safety of Thermosensitive Hydrogel Combined with Pirarubicin via TACE for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Pilot Study.
Article in Cancer management and research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Aim: This pilot study aims to evaluate the technical feasibility, safety profile, and preliminary efficacy of Tepoxin, a thermosensitive hydrogel, combined with pirarubicin via transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), providing foundational data for future larger-scale trials. Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective, single-arm pilot study including 7 HCC patients who received Tepoxin combined with pirarubicin TACE between 2023 and 2025. Inclusion criteria were: confirmed HCC by imaging or pathology, Child-Pugh A-B liver function, ECOG performance status ≤ 2, and no severe comorbidities. The procedure involved selective hepatic artery catheterization to deliver pirarubicin-loaded hydrogel for embolization. Primary endpoints were procedure success rate, adverse events, tumor response (evaluated by changes in the maximum tumor diameter and mRECIST criteria for PR/SD/PD), and disease control rate (DCR). Follow-up was conducted for at least 4-6 weeks for preliminary imaging assessment. Results: All 7 patients completed the procedure without failure or discontinuation. Tumor response was assessable in all patients: 2 achieved partial response (PR), 4 had stable disease (SD), and 1 had progression (PD). The objective response rate (ORR) was 28.6% (2/7), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 85.7% (6/7). Adverse events were mild, including fever, abdominal pain, and nausea/vomiting (grade 1-2), with no severe toxicity (grade ≥3) or treatment interruption. Mild liver function fluctuations were observed in some patients, which recovered to baseline. Conclusion: Tepoxin combined with pirarubicin TACE is technically feasible and well-tolerated in HCC patients, showing early anti-tumor activity. Larger, well-designed studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.
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