Transarterial chemoembolisation for breast cancer with liver metastasis: A systematic review

Background: There is limited data on the impact of transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) on survival in patients of breast cancer with liver metastasis (BCLM).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted to assess TACE effect on BCLM patients. A search for clinical studies published since 1/1/2000 to 1/1/2017 was performed. Survival data from all studies were extracted to evaluate the efficacy of TACE, including overall survival, disease free survival and response rate. Toxic side effects data were also extracted to assess the safety of TACE.

Results: A total of 10 studies with 519 BCLM patients were identified. 78.0% patients were treated with TACE, 9.9% were treated with TACE plus systematic chemotherapy and 12.1% were treated with systematic chemotherapy alone. Pooled median overall survival of patients who received TACE ranged from 7.3 to 47.0 months, median disease free survival ranged from 2.9 to 17.0 months and response rates ranged from 7.0 to 73.5%. Pooled Grade 3 and 4 side effects (blood toxicities, liver toxicity and post-embolization syndrome) ranged from 0.0 to 17.4%.

Conclusions: TACE is one of an effective treatment for BCLM and whether a specific patient is appropriate to receive TACE depends on a multiple disciplinary team discussion.