Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a major contributor to cancer-related deaths in China and ranks among the most prevalent malignant tumors. . The study aimed to assess the efficacy and adverse reactions of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with apatinib in treating hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus.
Methods: When treating hepatocellular carcinoma with a portal vein tumor thrombus, the computer retrieves eight databases to find controlled trials on the effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with apatinib. The Cochrane Library, WanFang databases EMbase, PubMed, Web of Science, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), & CNKI are all retrieved by the computer. "Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization", "apatinib", & "hepatocellular carcinoma" are the search terms. As this a meta-analysis, Utilizing RevMan 5.3 software, data analysis was carried out following a thorough assessment of the quality of the literature.
Results: This meta-analysis finally contained 7 papers. According to a meta-analysis, the disease control rate of the test category was considerably greater than that of the control category (odd Ratio OR: 1.65; 95% Cl: 1.17,2.33; P = .01). The experimental cohort's level of VEGF was substantially lower than that of the control group (standardized mean difference SMD:-25.38; 95% Cl: -28.69,-21.79; P < .01). According to a meta-analysis, caspase-8 levels in the group that underwent the experiment were substantially greater than those in the control category (SMD: 15.12; 95% Cl: 12.09, 18.15; P < .01). The test control experienced considerably less pain than the control sample (OR: 0.86; 95% Cl: 0.75,0.99; P = .033).
Conclusion: The findings of this trial indicate that individuals with HCC & PVTT may benefit from TACE & apatinib together, as evidenced by disease control rate, VEGF, Caspase-8, pain, hypertension, nausea and vomiting, and more reputable studies are required to support the aforementioned conclusions.