Gastroenterology Research, ISSN 1918-2805 print, 1918-2813 online, Open Access
Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, Gastroenterol Res and Elmer Press Inc
Journal website https://gr.elmerpub.com

Original Article

Volume 18, Number 5, October 2025, pages 207-223


Risk Stratification and Contemporary Predictors of Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated With Transarterial Radioembolization

Figures

↓  Figure 1. Impact of ICIs on the TARE-related OS in the study population. (a) ICI at any time in their lifetime (697 days) vs. never received ICI (226 days); (b) ICI before TARE (678 days) vs. ICI after TARE (703 days) vs. never received ICI (226 days). ICIs: immune checkpoint inhibitors; OS: overall survival; pre-TARE: ICI before TARE; post-TARE: ICI after TARE; TARE: transarterial radioembolization.
Figure 1.
↓  Figure 2. Impact of ICIs on the OS in the study population. (a) ICI at any time in their lifetime (1,102 days) vs. never received ICI (614 days); (b) ICI before TARE (1,959 days) vs. ICI after TARE (927 days) vs. never received ICI (614 days). ICIs: immune checkpoint inhibitors; OS: overall survival; pre-TARE: ICI before TARE; post-TARE: ICI after TARE; TARE: transarterial radioembolization.
Figure 2.
↓  Figure 3. Comparing PFS in patients based on the response noted in the first post-TARE imaging scan. Red indicates complete response, green indicates disease progression, blue indicates partial response, and yellow indicates ambiguous response. PFS: progression-free survival; TARE: transarterial radioembolization.
Figure 3.

Tables

↓  Table 1. Baseline Characteristics of the Study Population (N = 141)
 
Characteristicn (%)
a24 patients had two-staged TAREs. bBefore first TARE. AFP: alpha-fetoprotein; DM: diabetes mellitus; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; HE: hepatic encephalopathy; ICI: immune checkpoint inhibitor; INR: international normalized ratio; MAFLD: metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease; PVTT: portal vein tumor thrombus; SBRT: stereotactic body radiotherapy; TACE: transarterial chemoembolization; TARE: transarterial radioembolization; T bili: total bilirubin; TKI: tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
Median age of diagnosis65 years (range 49 - 88)
Race
  White113 (80.14%)
  African American22 (15.60%)
  Other6 (4.26%)
Sex
  Male113 (80.14%)
  Female28 (19.86%)
History of hepatitis B infection8 (5.67%)
History of hepatitis C infection72 (51.06%)
History of alcoholic liver cirrhosis110 (78.01%)
History of MAFLD17 (12.06%)
History of DM50 (35.46%)
Ascites at diagnosis35 (24.82%)
HE at diagnosis41 (29.08%)
Smoking history
  Active52 (37%)
  Former53 (38%)
  Never36 (25%)
Alcohol use
  Active52 (37%)
  Never65 (46%)
  Former24 (17%)
Number of TARE procedures
  1122 (87%)a
  217 (12%)
  32 (1%)
Therapy before TARE
  None50 (35.46%)
  TACE59 (41.84%)
  Ablation35 (24.82%)
  Surgery18 (12.77%)
  SBRT7 (4.97%)
  Systemic therapy12 (8.52%)
Number of HCC lesions
  165 (46.10%)
  230 (21.28%)
  316 (11.35%)
  > 330 (21.28%)
Size of HCC lesions
  ≤ 3 cm56 (40%)
  > 3 cm79 (56%)
  Not measurable6 (4%)
HCC in liver lobes
  Right lobe66 (46.81%)
  Both lobes47 (33.33%)
  Left lobe23 (16.31%)
  Undefined5 (3.55%)
PVTT
  None107 (75.89%)
  Main portal vein14 (9.93%)
  Right portal vein9 (6.38%)
  Present but location is unclear7 (4.97%)
  Left portal vein4 (2.84%)
Child-Pugh score
  A105 (74.47%)
  B34 (24.11%)
  C2 (1.42%)
Baselineb T bili (mg/dL; median/mean)1/1.05
Baselineb albumin (g/dL; median/mean)4/3.76
Baselineb INR (median/mean)1/1.09
Baselineb AFP (ng/dL; median/mean)26.5 (1 - 78,314)/1,688.10
TKI use
  No107 (76%)
  Post-TARE29 (21%)
  Pre-TARE5 (3%)
TKI drugs used
  Sorafenib21 (14.89%)
  Lenvatinib16 (11.35%)
  Cabozantinib2 (1.42%)
ICI use
  No-ICI group102 (72.34%)
  Post-TARE ICI group34 (24.11%)
  Pre-TARE ICI group5 (3.55%)
ICI drugs used
  Nivolumab19 (49%)
  Atezolizumab and bevacizumab20 (51%)

 

↓  Table 2. Factors Impacting PFS in the Study Population Treated With TARE
 
FactorUnivariateMultivariate
HR95% CIP-valueAdjusted HR95% CIP-value
aBaseline: before TARE. *Significant P values. CI: confidence interval; HE: hepatic encephalopathy; HR: hazard ratio; ICI: immune checkpoint inhibitor; MAFLD: metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease; PVTT: portal vein tumor thrombus; SBRT: stereotactic body radiotherapy; TACE: transarterial chemoembolization; TARE: transarterial radioembolization.
ICI used before TARE
  No------
  Yes0.640.26 - 1.580.30.900.32 - 2.510.8
Age at diagnosis0.990.97 - 1.020.60.990.97 - 1.020.7
Race
  White------
  African American/Black0.860.53 - 1.390.50.940.54 - 1.650.8
  Other0.590.22 - 1.610.30.450.15 - 1.340.2
Hepatitis C
  No------
  Yes0.910.65 - 1.290.60.980.62 - 1.55>0.9
MAFLD
  No------
  Yes1.640.98 - 2.760.0611.560.84 - 2.890.2
SBRT
  No------
  Yes1.050.59 - 1.870.90.970.52 - 1.82> 0.9
TACE
  No------
  Yes1.380.96 - 2.000.0811.400.91 - 2.150.13
Number of lesions
  Single------
  > 11.240.87 - 1.750.21.120.76 - 1.640.6
Size of the lesions
  ≤ 3 cm------
  > 3 cm or not measurable1.200.84 - 1.710.31.220.82 - 1.790.3
Baselinea total bilirubin0.970.75 - 1.250.80.700.50 - 0.970.034*
Baselinea albumin0.630.48 - 0.840.002*0.580.40 - 0.850.005*
Active smoking
  No------
  Yes0.970.68 - 1.390.90.890.59 - 1.330.6
Active alcohol
  No------
  Yes1.150.80 - 1.640.51.280.85 - 1.910.2
Ascites
  No------
  Yes1.541.03 - 2.280.034*1.360.82 - 2.240.2
HE
  No------
  Yes1.461.00 - 2.120.048*1.290.84 - 1.960.2
PVTT - absent vs. present
  Absent------
  Present0.720.47 - 1.090.120.830.51 - 1.350.4
PVTT - specific
  None------
  Left portal vein0.220.05 - 0.920.038*---
  Main portal vein0.870.48 - 1.550.6---
  Present, but the location is unclear1.290.57 - 2.960.5---
  Right portal vein0.660.32 - 1.360.3---

 

↓  Table 3. Factors Impacting TARE-Specific OS in the Study Population
 
FactorUnivariateMultivariate
HR95% CIP-valueAdjusted HR95% CIP-value
aBaseline: before TARE. *Significant P values. CI: confidence interval; HE: hepatic encephalopathy; HR: hazard ratio; ICI: immune checkpoint inhibitor; MAFLD: metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease; PVTT: portal vein tumor thrombus; SBRT: stereotactic body radiotherapy; TACE: transarterial chemoembolization; TARE: transarterial radioembolization.
ICI use
  No------
  Pre-TARE0.420.15 - 1.160.100.610.17 - 2.180.6
  Post-TARE0.500.32 - 0.780.002*0.370.23 - 0.61< 0.001*
Age at diagnosis1.000.98 - 1.02> 0.91.010.98 - 1.040.6
Race
  White------
  African American/Black0.780.47 - 1.300.30.840.47 - 1.500.6
  Other0.700.26 - 1.920.50.630.20 - 1.960.4
Hepatitis C
  No------
  Yes0.930.65 - 1.340.71.030.64 - 1.670.9
MAFLD
  No------
  Yes1.861.09 - 3.190.023*2.131.10 - 4.130.026*
SBRT
  No------
  Yes0.660.34 - 1.260.20.630.30 - 1.340.2
TACE
  No------
  Yes1.200.82 - 1.750.31.280.78 - 2.110.3
Number of lesions
  Single------
  Multiple1.350.93 - 1.950.111.290.85 - 1.950.2
Size of the lesions
  ≤ 3 cm------
  > 3 cm or not measurable0.980.88 - 1.42> 0.90.960.82 - 1.490.9
Baselinea total bilirubin1.180.92 - 1.520.20.850.61 - 1.180.3
Baselinea albumin0.620.47 - 0.82< 0.001*0.550.38 - 0.800.002*
Active smoking
  No------
  Yes1.190.82 - 1.740.41.050.67 - 1.630.8
Active alcohol
  No------
  Yes1.040.71 - 1.530.81.280.83 - 1.960.3
Ascites
  No------
  Yes1.861.23 - 2.810.003*1.540.89 - 2.660.13
HE
  No------
  Yes2.101.43 - 3.09< 0.001*2.401.49 - 3.88< 0.001*
Surgery
  No------
  Yes0.810.47 - 1.390.41.210.62 - 2.370.6
Ablation
  No------
  Yes1.000.67 - 1.48> 0.90.910.55 - 1.490.7
PVTT - absent vs. present
  Absent------
  Present0.690.44 - 1.070.100.710.41 - 1.250.2
PVTT - specific vein
  None------
  Left portal vein0.210.05 - 0.870.031*---
  Main portal vein1.220.66 - 2.190.5---
  Present, but location is unclear0.530.17 - 1.670.3---
  Right portal Vein0.630.29 - 1.370.2---

 

↓  Table 4. Factors Impacting OS in the Study Population
 
FactorUnivariateMultivariate
HR95% CIP-valueAdjusted HR95% CIP-value
aBaseline: before TARE. *Significant P values. CI: confidence interval; HE: hepatic encephalopathy; HR: hazard ratio; ICI: immune checkpoint inhibitor; MAFLD: metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease; OS: overall survival; PVTT: portal vein tumor thrombus; SBRT: stereotactic body radiotherapy; TACE: transarterial chemoembolization; TARE: transarterial radioembolization.
ICI use
  No------
  Yes - pre-TARE0.390.14 - 1.070.0670.920.28 - 3.33> 0.9
  Yes - post-TARE0.650.42 - 1.020.0590.670.42 - 1.070.090
Age of diagnosis1.010.99 - 1.040.21.010.98 - 1.040.4
Race
  White------
  African American/Black0.710.43 - 1.180.20.810.44 - 1.480.5
  Other0.540.20 - 1.470.20.510.15 - 1.670.3
Hepatitis C
  No------
  Yes0.680.47 - 0.990.043*0.750.43 - 1.310.3
MAFLD
  No------
  Yes2.231.30 - 3.830.0041.860.92 - 3.730.082*
SBRT
  No------
  Yes0.670.35 - 1.290.20.550.26 - 1.150.11
TACE
  No------
  Yes0.770.53 - 1.130.21.130.70 - 1.810.6
Number of lesions
  Single------
  Multiple1.320.91 - 1.910.141.080.71 - 1.640.7
Size of the lesions
  ≤ 3 cm------
  > 3 cm or multiple1.270.87 - 1.850.21.080.68 - 1.720.7
Baselinea total bilirubin1.170.88 - 1.550.30.900.65 - 1.250.5
Baselinea albumin0.710.54 - 0.940.016*0.630.43 - 0.930.019*
Active smoking
  No------
  Yes0.950.65 - 1.380.81.090.69 - 1.740.7
Active alcohol
  No------
  Yes1.040.71 - 1.520.91.270.83 - 1.950.3
Ascites
  No------
  Yes1.751.16 - 2.640.008*1.710.97 - 3.040.065*
HE
  No------
  Yes1.611.09 - 2.360.016*2.011.22 - 3.320.006*
BMI1.031.00 - 1.060.0671.010.97 - 1.050.7
Line of TARE used
  First------
  > 10.700.48 - 1.030.0690.730.41 - 1.300.3
Surgery
  No------
  Yes0.560.32 - 0.970.038*0.830.42 - 1.650.6
Ablation
  No------
  Yes0.500.33 - 0.75< 0.001*0.350.21 - 0.59< 0.001*
PVTT
  None------
  Present1.060.70 - 1.690.70.720.39 - 1.350.3

 

↓  Table 5. Impact of TARE on Liver Function
 
Mean differenceLowerUpperP-value
TARE: transarterial radioembolization.
Albumin0.530.420.63< 0.0001
Total bilirubin-0.91-1.29-0.53< 0.0001
Child-Pugh score-1.36-1.63-1.09< 0.0001

 

↓  Table 6. Factors Influencing Survival in HCC Patients Treated With TARE in Our Study
 
PFSOS-TAREOS
aHas a trend toward significance with a P-value of 0.05 to 0.08. HE: hepatic encephalopathy; ICI: immune checkpoint inhibitor; MAFLD: metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease; OS: overall survival; OS-TARE: TARE-specific OS; PFS: progression-free survival; PVTT: portal vein tumor thrombus; TARE: transarterial radioembolization.
Multivariate analysis
  Better survivalHigh albuminHigh albumin
Post-TARE ICI
High albumin
Prior ablation
  Poor survivalLow total bilirubinHE
MAFLD
HE
MAFLDa
Ascitesa
Univariate analysis
  Better survivalHigh albumin
Left vein PVTT
Post-TARE ICI
High albumin
No PVTT
Albumin
Prior surgery or ablation Hepatitis C
  Poor survivalMAFLDa
HE
MAFLD
HE
Ascites
HE