Idarubicin-loaded drug-eluting microspheres transarterial chemoembolization for intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma: safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics.

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the treatment of choice for the intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Doxorubicin remains the most used chemotherapeutic agent in TACE, although screening has demonstrated that idarubicin exhibits greater cytotoxicity against HCC. This study aimed to evaluate safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of idarubicin-loaded drug-eluting microspheres TACE (DEMIDA-TACE) in intermediate stage HCC patients.

Safety and efficacy of drug-eluting microspheres chemoembolization under cone beam computed tomography control in patients with early and intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Drug-eluting microsphere transarterial chemoembolization (DEM-TACE) is the standard of care in patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma and ensures targeted and controlled cytotoxic and ischemic effects. Proper patient selection and optimized treatment techniques are associated with longer median survival. The aim of this single-institution retrospective study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of DEM-TACE under cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) control in patients with early and intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

Success and safety of high infliximab trough levels in inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective: A prospective trial suggests target infliximab trough levels of 3-7 μg/mL, yet data on additional therapeutic benefits and safety of higher trough levels are scarce.

Aim: To explore whether high infliximab trough levels (≥7 μg/mL) are more effective and still safe.

Material And Methods: In this cohort study of 183 patients (109 Crohn's disease and 74 ulcerative colitis) on infliximab maintenance treatment at a tertiary referral center we correlated fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein to trough levels (426 samples) at different time points during treatment.