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Background: The incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) had increased globally over the past decades. Previous studies found that transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with lenvatinib had also shown efficacy in the unresectable HCC. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TACE combined with lenvatinib and camrelizumab to treat unresectable multiple nodular and large HCC (>5 cm). Materials and methods: Between November 2018 and June 2021, we retrospectively recruited 82 patients with unresectable multiple nodular and large HCC (BCLC stage B or C with a single nodular diameter of >5 cm). Of the patients who had not previously been treated, 33 patients received TACE + lenvatinib + camrelizumab (group A, TLC), and 49 patients treated with TACE + lenvatinib (group B, TLB) as the initial treatment. Related efficacy and safety results were recorded and assessed. Results: The median follow-up periods of groups A and B were 14.5 ± 7.9 months (range, 3-36) and 12.5 ± 8.2 months (range, 3-32), respectively (P = 0.799). The progression-free survival (PFS) of groups A and B was 9.4 months and 5.9 months (P < 0.01), respectively, and overall survival (OS) was significantly longer in group A (16.4 months vs 11.0 months, P < 0.01). In group A, the local response rate (LRR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 51.5% and 81.8%, respectively, which was higher than the corresponding 46.9% and 77.6% observed in group B (P = 0.233; 0.429). Patients with BCLC B stage had better PFS and OS (P < 0.05). The BCLC stage was an independent factor that affected PFS and OS. There were no massive bleeding or treatment-related deaths. Conclusions: In patients with unresectable multiple nodular and large HCC (single nodular diameter of >5 cm), TACE combined with target therapy and immunotherapy is safe and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To further evaluate the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided iodine 125 (125I) brachytherapy to treat locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after progression of concurrent radiochemotherapy (CCRT). Methods: This study obtained written consent from all patients and was approved by our institution. From January 2006 to June 2018, 210 NSCLC patients (progression of first-line CCRT) were retrospectively recruited and then divided into two groups. A total of 116 patients were given CT-guided 125I brachytherapy and second-line chemotherapy (group A), and 94 were treated with second-line chemotherapy alone (group B). Results: In group A, local response rate (LRR) within 3 years was significantly better (P< 0.05). Mean survival time [progression-free survival time (PFST) and overall survival (OS)] was 15.1± 1.4 months and 21.2± 1.6 months in group A compared with 10.0± 1.4 months and 16.2± 1.7 months in group B (PFST: P< 0.01, HR=1.472, 95% CI 1.097– 1.975; OS: P = 0.036, HR=1.342, 95% CI 1.005– 1.791). Tumor size and No. of first cycle chemotherapy were independent factors that affected survival, ≤ 3cm largest tumor diameter and more than 4 first cycles of chemotherapy showed longer PFST and OS (P< 0.05). Tumor-related clinical symptoms were relieved in group A (P< 0.01). No serious complications occurred in the two groups. Conclusion: 125I brachytherapy is effective and safe in locally advanced NSCLC after progression of CCRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 125I brachytherapy to treat bilateral lung recurrences from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after resection or ablation. Materials and methods: We retrospectively recruited 95 patients with bilateral lung recurrences from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after resection or ablation who had received 3–6-month sorafenib with or without stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), from October 2011 to January 2015; patients were then randomly divided into two groups, 44 patients received computed tomography (CT)-guided 125I brachytherapy (group A), and 51 patients were treated with supportive and symptomatic treatments (group B). Results: The median survival time was 19 months (range of 3–36 months). The local response rate (LRR) at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months in group A was 81.8%, 65.9%, 59.1%, 45.0%, 38.6%, 22.7%, 11.4%, respectively, and 64.7%, 47.1%, 33.3%, 25.4%, 15.7%, 11.7%, 7.8%, respectively, in group B (P < 0.05). The mean progression-free survival time (PFST) and overall survival (OS) of group A were significantly longer than those of group B. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and tumor size were independent factors that affected the PFST and OS, normal AFP levels and less than 1-cm tumor diameter had better PFST and OS (P < 0.05). No massive bleeding or serious complications occurred. Conclusion: CT-guided 125I brachytherapy is safe and effective for the treatment of bilateral lung recurrences from HCC after resection or ablation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of 125I seed brachytherapy versus external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for the palliation of painful bone metastases of lung cancer after one cycle of chemotherapy progression.Materials and methods: We analyzed retrospectively 158 patients with painful bone metastases secondary to lung cancer after one cycle of chemotherapy progression treated between June 2013 and May 2016. Seventy-six patients with 96 lesions received 125I brachytherapy (Group A), whereas 82 patients with 98 metastases received EBRT (Group B). Pain intensity on Brief Pain Inventory, percentage of patients with pain severity, and quality of life were recorded prior to treatment (T0), 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks (T2, T4, T6, T8, T12, T16, T20, and T24) after treatment during a 24-hour period. Cost-effectiveness and number of treatment appointments were also compared between groups.Results: One hundred and fifty-eight patients had been treated. Visual analog scale for worst pain in Group A was significantly lower than in Group B at T2, T4, T6, T16, T20, and T24. Group A was superior to group B concerning quality of life scores (T2, T4, T20, and T24), cost-effectiveness, and number of treatment appointments. No significant differences were observed for complications.Conclusion: Compared with EBRT, 125I seed brachytherapy can be an alternative method for painful bone metastases from lung cancer after one cycle of chemotherapy progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of computed tomography (CT)-guided iodine125 (125I) brachytherapy for patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS) after first-line chemotherapy failure.Methods: We recruited 93 patients with metastatic STS who had received first-line chemotherapy 4-6 times but developed progressive disease, from January 2010 to July 2015; 45 patients who had combined 125I brachytherapy and second-line chemotherapy (Group A), and 48 patients who received second-line CT only (Group B).Result: In Group A, 49 125I seed implantation procedures were performed in 45 patients with 116 metastatic lesions; the primary success rate was 91.1% (41/45), without life-threatening complications. Local control rates at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months were 71.1%, 62.2%, 46.7%, 28.9% and 11.1% for Group A, and 72.9%, 54.2%, 18.8%, 6.3% and 0% for Group B. Mean progression-free survival differed significantly (Group A: 7.1±1.3 months; Group B: 3.6 ±1.1 months; P<0.001; Cox proportional hazards regression analysis), but overall survival did not significantly differ (Group A: 16.9 ±5.1 months; Group B: 12.1 ± 4.8 months). Group A showed better symptom relief and quality of life than Group B.Conclusion: CT-guided 125I brachytherapy is a feasible and valuable treatment for patients with metastatic STS.Key Points: • 125 I brachytherapy is feasible and valuable for treating metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. • 125 I brachytherapy represents a prominent activity in disease control. • 125 I brachytherapy can achieve better symptom relief and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To further evaluate the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided iodine 125 ( 125 I) brachytherapy to treat locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after progression of concurrent radiochemotherapy (CCRT)., Methods: This study obtained written consent from all patients and was approved by our institution. From January 2006 to June 2018, 210 NSCLC patients (progression of first-line CCRT) were retrospectively recruited and then divided into two groups. A total of 116 patients were given CT-guided 125 I brachytherapy and second-line chemotherapy (group A), and 94 were treated with second-line chemotherapy alone (group B)., Results: In group A, local response rate (LRR) within 3 years was significantly better (P<0.05). Mean survival time [progression-free survival time (PFST) and overall survival (OS)] was 15.1±1.4 months and 21.2±1.6 months in group A compared with 10.0±1.4 months and 16.2±1.7 months in group B (PFST: P<0.01, HR=1.472, 95% CI 1.097-1.975; OS: P = 0.036, HR=1.342, 95% CI 1.005-1.791). Tumor size and No. of first cycle chemotherapy were independent factors that affected survival, ≤3cm largest tumor diameter and more than 4 first cycles of chemotherapy showed longer PFST and OS (P<0.05). Tumor-related clinical symptoms were relieved in group A (P<0.01). No serious complications occurred in the two groups., Conclusion: 125 I brachytherapy is effective and safe in locally advanced NSCLC after progression of CCRT., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (© 2021 Xiang et al.)

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of 125 I seed brachytherapy versus external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for the palliation of painful bone metastases of lung cancer after one cycle of chemotherapy progression., Materials and Methods: We analyzed retrospectively 158 patients with painful bone metastases secondary to lung cancer after one cycle of chemotherapy progression treated between June 2013 and May 2016. Seventy-six patients with 96 lesions received 125 I brachytherapy (Group A), whereas 82 patients with 98 metastases received EBRT (Group B). Pain intensity on Brief Pain Inventory, percentage of patients with pain severity, and quality of life were recorded prior to treatment (T 0 ), 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks (T 2 , T 4 , T 6 , T 8 , T 12 , T 16 , T 20 , and T 24 ) after treatment during a 24-hour period. Cost-effectiveness and number of treatment appointments were also compared between groups., Results: One hundred and fifty-eight patients had been treated. Visual analog scale for worst pain in Group A was significantly lower than in Group B at T 2 , T 4 , T 6 , T 16 , T 20 , and T 24 . Group A was superior to group B concerning quality of life scores (T 2 , T 4 , T 20 , and T 24 ), cost-effectiveness, and number of treatment appointments. No significant differences were observed for complications., Conclusion: Compared with EBRT, 125 I seed brachytherapy can be an alternative method for painful bone metastases from lung cancer after one cycle of chemotherapy progression., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Purpose : The study evaluated the feasibility, clinical effectiveness, and quality of life of computed tomography (CT)-guided 125 I brachytherapy for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods : We recruited 81 patients diagnosed with locally recurrent NPC after previous radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Thirty-nine patients received 125 I brachytherapy (group A) and 42 received re-irradiation (IMRT, group B). The evaluated outcomes were local control, complications, and quality of life. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to compare local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS) and overall survival (OS) in the two treatment groups. Results : The median follow-up was 30 months (range, 5-68 months), median LTPFS was 21 in group A and 17 months in group B. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS in group A were 84.6%, 51.3%, 30.7%, and 85.7%, 50.0%, and 32.6% in group B. In group A, 10/39 patients (25.6%) experienced at least one ≥grade III complication; no grade V complications occurred. In group B, 28/42 (66.7%) experienced at least one ≥grade III complication and 6/42 (14.3%) died of severe grade V complications. No significant between-group difference existed in the Quality of Life score on the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire before treatment. In group A, quality of life was significantly improved after treatment; but did not improve, or even deteriorated in group B. Conclusions : 125 I brachytherapy was a feasible, safe, and effective treatment for locally recurrent NPC. 125 I brachytherapy significantly reduced complications caused by re-irradiation and improved patients' quality of life., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of CT-guided 125 I brachytherapy for distant oral and maxillofacial metastases., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 65 patients with 84 distant oral and maxillofacial metastases. Thirty-one patients with 38 lesions received 125 I brachytherapy (group A) and 34 with 46 lesions received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT; group B)., Results: Median follow-up time was 16 months. The 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month local control rates for group A were 83.9%, 75.9%, 66.7%, 38.4%, and 25.0%, respectively; for group B they were 76.5%, 62.5%, 43.8%, 25.0%, and 0.0%, respectively (P<.05); the median local tumor progression-free survival times were 14 and 9 months, respectively. Group A had a better local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS) relative to group B (P<.001; HR, 6.961 [95%CI, 2.109, 9.356]). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that 125 I brachytherapy, tumor size, and primary pathological type were the independent factors affecting LTPFS. Additionally, 125 I brachytherapy showed better performance in relieving patient clinical symptoms relative to EBRT (P<.05). Group A also had fewer complications than group B, especially regarding grade 3/4 complications according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grading criteria. Mean overall survival times in groups A and B were 17.1 and 14.8 months, respectively., Conclusion: CT-guided 125 I brachytherapy is feasible and safe for distant oral and maxillofacial metastases; it achieved a better local control rate, longer LTPFS and fewer complications without compromising overall survival compared with EBRT., (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)