Effects of Antrodia Cinnamomea on the Hepatoma Patients After Transcatheter Hepatic Artery Chemoembolization

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 7% of all cancers worldwide and is the most common, primary liver malignancy globally. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Taiwan. Most of the patients with HCCs are associated with hepatitis virus B or C infection, and combined with abnormal liver function or liver cirrhosis. The treatment of HCC includes curative treatment, including surgical resection, liver transplantation, and radiofrequency ablation. Non-curative treatment includes Transcatheter hepatic artery chemoembolization or medical therapy, such as target therapies or immunotherapies. Some patients suffered from post-TACE syndrome, e.g., abdominal pain, nausea, fever, or impaired liver function, after TACE. The clinical application was limited by the possibility of liver function deterioration. There is no standard treatment for the post-TACE syndrome currently. Therapies capable of liver protection could enhance the safety and effect of TACE.

Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) is a medicinal fungal species that has been widely used as a healthy food in Taiwan for the treatment of diverse health-related conditions, in recognition of its anticancer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and neuroprotective activities. The properties of antitumor and hepatoprotective make A. cinnamomea extract or its major compounds an ideal candidate for enhancing the treatment effect for HCC.

Many cancer patients in Taiwan took Antrodia cinnamomea products during the course of therapies. In this study, we want to elucidate the effect of Antrodia cinnamomea on the hepatoma patients after Transcatheter hepatic artery chemoembolization, such as the improvement of post-TACE syndrome ( liver function impairment, fever, nausea, and abdominal pain), the quality of life, and hospital stay, etc.

Inclusion criteria

• Sign the informed consent form
• Aged between 20 and 80
• Child-Pugh score class A, B
• Serum bilirubin level ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels ≤ 2 times the upper limit of normal

Exclusion criteria

• Unwillingness to sign the informed consent form
• Child-Pugh score class C
• Patients with main portal vein thrombosis
• Patients with diffuse liver tumors
• Those who are allergic to the contrast medium
• Those with abnormal coagulation function
• Those with severe dysfunction of brain, heart and lung
• Patients with severe renal dysfunction (except those receiving renal dialysis)
• Unable to cooperate
• Those with uncontrolled arrhythmia and unstable blood pressure
• Some patients with abnormal thyroid function
• Any other contraindications such as active gastrointestinal bleeding, refractory ascites, or severe portal hypertension
• Pregnant or lactating women