Effectiveness of transarterial drug-loaded microsphere chemoembolization against cholangiocarcinoma combined with obstructive jaundice

Although transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been widely used to treat malignant cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the efficacy of drug-loaded microsphere chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) remains to be comprehensively explored in patients with CCA combined with obstructive jaundice. In this single-center retrospective cohort study, patients (n = 101) with CCA combined with obstructive jaundice admitted between January 2021 and December 2022 were treated with DEB-TACE or c-TACE. Initially, the baseline characteristics of the two groups of patients, i.e., DEB-TACE (n = 46) and c-TACE (n = 55), were estimated. Further, the survival time was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier (KM) method, exploring independent risk factors affecting patients’ survival time by the Cox proportional risk model. The DEB-TACE group showed a significantly better imaging efficacy than the c-TACE group, with an objective remission rate (ORR) of 47.8% vs. 0.0% and a disease control rate (DCR) of 95.7% vs. 70.9% (P < 0.001). The survival analysis showed a higher median overall survival (OS) time of 14 months and a 1-year survival rate of 70.7% in the DEB-TACE group than 11 months and 0.0% in the c-TACE group (P < 0.001), respectively. The Cox regression analysis showed the DEB-TACE treatment as an independent protective factor for prolonged OS (HR = 0.072, P < 0.001). Despite the low long-term survival rates in both groups, DEB-TACE, as an effective local therapy, could provide an important reference for optimizing the treatment of advanced CCA.