Abstract: Objective   To explore the efficacy and safety of drug-loaded microspheres transarterial chemoembolization(DEB-TACE) and conventional hepatic arterial chemoembolization(cTACE) combined with sorafenib in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.   Methods   From March 2019 to March 2021,106 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma were included in the study and were randomly divided into two groups according to the random number table method.The control group was treated with cTACE combined with sorafenib,and the study group was treated with DEB-TACE combined with sorafenib.The clinical efficacy,serum hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α),alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),total bilirubin(TBIL),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST) levels,and adverse reactions and living conditions were compared in both groups.   Results   The objective remission rate in the study group was 64.15%, higher than that in the control group (43.40%)(P<0.05).After 3 months of treatment,serum HIF-1α and AFP levels in both groups were decreased,and the research group was lower(P<0.05).After 3 months of treatment,the levels of serum TBIL,ALT and AST in both groups were increased(P<0.05),and serum levels of TBIL,ALT and AST in the study group were lower than the control group(P<0.05).The difference in the incidence of adverse reactions was not significant in both groups(P>0.05).The median progression-free survival time of study group and control group was 12.11 months(95%CI 7.78-16.22) and 10.09 months(95%CI 7.67-12.33),respectively.There was no significant difference in the median progression-free survival curve between the two groups(χ²=2.293,P=0.130).  Conclusion   DEB-TACE combined with sorafenib in the treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma can improve the therapeutic effect,regulate the level of serum tumor markers,improve reduce liver damage.

Key words: drug-loaded microspheres transarterial chemoembolization, conventional transarterial chemoembolization, Sorafenib, liver cancer