Abstract: Objective To investigate the efficacy of chemoembolization with drug-loaded microspheres in patients diagnosed with advanced liver cancer. Methods A total of 65 patients with advanced liver cancer treated between May 2018 and January 2023, were divided into 2 groups based on the surgical method used: control group (31 cases: conventional surgery) and observation group (34 cases: drug-loaded microsphere chemoembolization). The efficacy of these two treatment approaches was compared. Results The level of glutamyltransferase (GGT) in the observation group (28.26±2.62 U/L) was significantly lower compared to the control group (53.99±3.71 U/L). Similarly,the levels of CA19-9 (6.84±0.26 U/mL) and AFP (310.87±5.52 ng/ml) were also lower in the observation group than in the control group (459.26±6.18 ng/ml) (t=32.522, P<0.05; t value =60.674, P<0.05; t value=102.256, P<0.05). 1 month pose-surgery, the blood concentrations of Ca ( 2.12±0.14 mmol/L), iPTH (179.56±19.52 pg/mL) and Ca×P product (45.86±3.62 mg²/dL) in the observation group showed a significantly decrease compared to the control group (2.20±0.15 mmol/L, 206.84±22.17 pg/mL, 51.4 7±4.26 mg²/dL). Additionally, the level of blood phosphorus (1.56±0.13 mmol/L) was higher in the observation group than in the control group (1.83±0.14 mmol/L), while the product of calcium and phosphorus (45.86±3.62 mg²/dL) was lower in the observation group compared to the control group (51.47±4.26 mg²/dL) (t value=2.224, P<0.05; t value=5.275, P<0.05; t value=5.737, P<0.05; t value=8.062, P<0.05). Moreover, one month after the operation, the levels of ALT (44.26±3.52 U/L), AST (36.85±5.14 U/L), and Tbil (16.56±2.62) μmol/L were lower than those in the control group (53.97±4.17 U/L, 48.10±6.71 U/L, 21.45±3.05 μmol/L, respectively). (t=10.174, P<0.05; t value=7.627, P<0.05; t value=6.951, P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups was compared (χ²=0.300, P=0.584). Survival rates at 3 month (χ²=0.375, P=0.540) and 6 months (χ²=6.181, P=0.013) after surgery were also compared. Conclusion Chemoembolization with drug-loaded microspheres has demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment advanced liver cancer patients, with a high survival rate observed at 6 months post-surgery. This treatment approach warrants further investigation and potential application in clinical practice.

Key words: Advanced liver cancer, Chemoembolization with drug-loaded microspheres, Calcium and phosphorus metabolism