Holmium-166 Transarterial Radioembolization for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

This study investigates the use of Holmium-166 (Ho-166) transarterial radioembolization (TARE) as a treatment for patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a primary liver cancer. The research focuses on evaluating both the safety and effectiveness of this therapeutic approach in patients who have been diagnosed with HCC and treated with Ho-166 TARE between January 2010 and December 2024.

HCC is a highly aggressive cancer that commonly arises in individuals with liver cirrhosis, often due to underlying chronic viral hepatitis or metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). As the disease progresses, treatment options become limited, particularly in cases where the cancer has reached advanced stages with symptoms, vascular invasion, or extrahepatic spread. Holmium-166 TARE is an interventional procedure that involves delivering microspheres containing the radioactive isotope Holmium-166 directly to the tumor site via the hepatic artery. This targeted radiation therapy is designed to maximize tumor destruction while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy liver tissue.

The study will retrospectively analyze the medical records of patients who received Ho-166 TARE as part of their treatment plan. This includes examining factors such as patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment-related side effects or toxicity, radiologic response to the therapy, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). The primary aim is to assess whether Ho-166 TARE provides a significant benefit in terms of tumor response, survival outcomes, and safety when compared to other treatment modalities.

Pre-treatment planning for Holmium-166 TARE involves a detailed assessment of the liver's blood supply through angiography and the use of cone-beam CT and SPECT/CT scans to guide precise delivery of the radioactive microspheres. The dosage is tailored to each patient, aiming to deliver over 150 Gy to the tumor while keeping the healthy liver dose below critical thresholds.

By focusing on a diverse patient population with locally advanced HCC, this study seeks to provide important data that could help refine treatment strategies for liver cancer. The results may support the broader use of Ho-166 TARE in clinical practice, especially for patients who are not eligible for curative treatments like surgery or liver transplantation.

Inclusion criteria

• aged 18 year or older
• diagnosed with locally advanced HCC without extra-hepatic metastases
• HCC must not be amendable to treatment by surgical resection or percutaneous radiofrequency ablation
• after assessment by the investigator and multidisciplinary tumor board, the patient is considered suitable for protocol treatment with Holmium-166 TARE
• ECOG performance status 0-2
• child-Pugh A-B
• tumor response evaluable with mRECIST criteria during follow-up

Exclusion criteria

• prior treatment with any of the following treatment modalities for HCC: systemic therapy, hepatic radiation therapy
• currently enrolled in clinical studies where patient receive investigational therapeutic drug
• metastatic disease
• concurrent malignancy
• active contra-indications to angiography or selective catherization (i.e. severe vascular disease or bleeding diathesis)
• uncontrolled and/or severe comorbidities (active infection, heart failure,...) with limited estimated life expectancy
• history of or know allergic reactions to used compounds