What question did this study set out to answer?

This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of combined HAIC and TACE treatment in unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients.

March 14, 2026Open Access

Clinical efficacy of HAIC combined with TACE in patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

JWJuncheng WanSun Yat-sen University CJChaoqiao JinFudan University ZFZhuoyang FanFudan University

Key Points

This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of combined HAIC and TACE treatment in unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients.
82 patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were analyzed retrospectively.
40 received HAIC combined with TACE, while 42 received intravenous chemotherapy.
Propensity score matching was used to minimize selection bias.
Efficacy was evaluated using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.
Higher disease control rate in HAIC+TACE group (97.5% vs. 81.0%, P = 0.030).
Objective response rate was comparable between both groups.
Median overall survival was similar (13.90 months in HAIC+TACE vs. 13.40 months in Chemo group).
Progression-free survival was longer in HAIC+TACE group (8.45 months vs. 6.65 months, P = 0.039).
No significant difference in adverse events between the two treatment options.

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined treatment based on hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). A total of 82 patients with unresectable ICC were retrospectively included in this study. Of these,40 patients received HAIC combined with TACE treatment (HAIC+TACE group) and 42 received intravenous chemotherapy (Chemo group). Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce selection bias between the HAIC+TACE group and the Chemo group. Efficacy was evaluated using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) 1.1. Differences in tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events were compared between the two groups. The HAIC+TACE group had a higher disease control rate (97.5% vs. 81.0%, P = 0.030) compared to the Chemo group. The objective response rate was similar between the groups (65.0% vs. 64.3%). The median OS was 13.90 months (95% CI 9.10–18.40) in the HAIC+TACE group and 13.40 months (95% CI 9.90–23.70) in the Chemo group. The PFS in the HAIC+TACE group was significantly longer in the Chemo group (8.45 months vs. 6.65 months, P = 0.039). No significant difference in adverse events was observed between the two groups. HAIC combined with TACE demonstrates a higher DCR and PFS in the treatment of unresectable ICC, with manageable adverse reactions. Although no significant difference in OS was observed, HAIC combined with TACE may offer a promising option for improving disease control and potentially delaying disease progression compared to standard chemotherapy. •This is the first study to evaluate the combination of HAIC and TACE for treating unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. •HAIC combined with TACE shows promising results in improving disease control and progression-free survival in ICC patients compared to systemic chemotherapy •The combined therapy is safe and well-tolerated, with no significant difference in treatment-related adverse events between HAIC+TACE and chemotherapy alone.

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