Efficacy of CT-guided microwave ablation combined with lenvatinib in primary liver cancer

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of CT-guided microwave ablation (MWA) combined with lenvatinib in patients with primary liver cancer (PLC) and its impact on patients′ quality of life and prognosis. Methods A total of 96 patients with PLC who were treated at Yulin Red Cross Hospital from January 2024 to December 2024 were randomly divided into an observation group (48 patients) and a control group (48 patients). The observation group received CT-guided MWA combined with lenvatinib treatment, while the control group received MWA alone. Tumor size, liver function, serum tumor markers were compared between two groups. Recurrence was assessed after 3 months of treatment, and the long-term survival and adverse event rates were observed after a 1-year follow-up. Results After treatment, the levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-Ⅱ (PIVKA-Ⅱ), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TBil) in the observation group were (74.50±33.84) ng/mL, (128.84±47.69) mAU/mL, (93.22±40.83) U/L, (84.62±36.15) U/L, and (23.58±3.65) μmol/L, respectively, which were lower than control group, which were (116.25±46.52) ng/mL, (191.01±42.84) mAU/mL, (145.69±57.60) U/L, (138.96±40.56) U/L, and (34.36±4.18) μmol/L (P<0.05). The albumin (Alb) level in the observation group was (37.63±4.69) g/L, which was higher than control group, which was (33.75±4.36) g/L (P<0.05). Fourweek post-treatment, the observation group had a higher total effective rate (P<0.05). After 12 months, the recurrence rate was lower, and the 1-year survival rate higher in the observation group (P<0.05). Conclusion CT-guided MWA combined with lenvatinib demonstrates significant clinical advantages in the treatment of PLC. Compared with the control group who received MWA alone, the combined therapy not only effectively reduced tumor marker levels and improved liver function but also increased the total effective rate and quality of life of patients. After 12 months of follow-up, the observation group showed a lower tumor recurrence rate and a higher 1-year survival rate, further proving the long-term effectiveness and superiority of this treatment regimen. Therefore, MWA combined with lenvatinib may become a new and effective option for the treatment of PLC.

Key words: Microwave ablation, Lenvatinib, Primary liver cancer, Survival rate, Liver function

PANG Cheng, MO Chao-yan, HUANG Chang-fa, WANG You-hua. Efficacy of CT-guided microwave ablation combined with lenvatinib in primary liver cancer[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2026, 31(3): 375-379.

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