Efficacy and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with donafenib in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract Objective This study aimed at ascertaining the efficacy and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) combined with donafenib versus HAIC alone in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Seventy HCC patients were enrolled for our study, and they were randomized by simple randomization using computer‐generated random numbers into two groups: control group and observation group. Regular follow‐up reviews were conducted to assess the efficacy of treatments. The levels of apoptotic factors, the levels of hepatic fibrosis indices, the levels of serum tumor vascular factors and tumor markers, and the occurrence of adverse reactions in the two groups were recorded and compared. Results Disease control rate, objective response rate, and progression‐free survival (PFS) of patients in the observation group were higher in contrast to the control group. After 12 weeks of treatment, lower mRNA expression of c‐mesenchymal‐epithelial transition factor, telomerase, and Fas Ligand and higher mRNA expression of Fas and Caspase‐3 were observed in HCC tissues of the observation group versus the control group ( p < 0.05); lower detection values of serum laminin, hyaluronic acid, collage type IV, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, and alpha‐fetal protein (AFP) were noted in HCC patients of the observation group in comparison to the control group ( p < 0.05); there was no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. Conclusion Donafenib combined with HAIC in the treatment of unresectable HCC patients can notably reduce serum AFP levels, improve hepatic fibrosis, enhance short‐term efficacy, prolong PFS, and have a favorable safety profile.