Efficacy and Safety of Interferon-Alpha 2b for Patients with Hepatic Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma: Outcomes of a Case-Series Analysis

Figures & data

Table 1 Baseline Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with IFN-a 2b (N=42)

Characteristics	No. (%)
Age, years
Median	36
Range	18–65
Gender
Male	22 (52.4)
Female	20 (47.6)
Symptoms
Abdominal pain	9 (21.4%)
None	33 (78.6%)
Number of intrahepatic lesions
Multiple	40 (95.2)
Solitary	2 (4.8)
Involved disease sites
Lung	21 (50.0)
Bone	2 (4.8)
Spleen	1 (2.4)
Abdomen	1 (2.4)
None	19 (45.2)
Inclusion reasons
Progression with no treatment	25 (59.5)
Reoccurrence after surgery or RF	11 (26.2)
Failure of previous treatment	6 (14.3)
ECOG PS
0	42 (100)
1	0 (0)
Range (median) serum liver function
(ALT), U/L	16–79 (24)
(AST), U/L	8–83 (25)
(ALP), U/L	25–226 (93)
(GGT), U/L	7–177 (41)
(Range of TB), μmol/L	9.4–44.8 (12.7)

Abbreviations: ALP, alkaline phosphatase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ECOG PS, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status; GGT, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase; IFN-a 2b, interferon-alpha 2b; RF, radiofrequency ablation; TB, total bilirubin.

Table 2 Treatment-Related Adverse Events with IFN-a 2b (N=42)

Adverse Events	No. (%)
	Any Grade	Grade 1	Grade 2
Fever	21 (50.0)	21 (50)	0
Fatigue	9 (21.4)	9 (21.4)	0
Leukopenia	2 (4.8)	1 (2.4)	1 (2.4)
Thrombopenia	2 (4.8)	1 (2.4)	1 (2.4)
Rash	2 (4.8)	2 (4.8)	0
Alopecia	2 (4.8)	2 (4.8)	0
Hypothyroidism	2 (4.8)	0	2 (4.8)
Decreased appetite	1 (2.4)	1 (2.4)	0
Anemia	1 (2.4)	1 (2.4)	0
None	13 (31.0)	/	/

Abbreviation: IFN-a 2b, interferon-alpha 2b.

Figure 1 The complete response to interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-a 2b) is illustrated in a female patient who had progressive disease after treatment with transarterial embolization (TAE). (A) Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan reveals multiple intrahepatic lesions. (B) After TAE, intrahepatic tumors progressed (marked with white arrows), and new lesions occurred (marked with red arrows). Then, IFN-a 2b treatment started. (C) Ten months after initiation of IFN-a 2b treatment, the size of tumors had decreased significantly (marked with black arrows). (D) Eighteen months after initiation of IFN-a 2b treatment, the intrahepatic tumors disappeared.

Figure 2 The partial response to interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-a 2b) is illustrated in a male patient who experienced disease reoccurrence after surgery. (A) Small lesions were found 18 months after surgery. (B) Intrahepatic lesions (marked with white arrows) progressed after 12 months of observation. (C) Intrahepatic lesions (marked with white arrows) continued to progress after 24 months of observation, and IFN-a 2b was treatment started. (D) Fifteen months after initiation of IFN-a 2b treatment, the size of tumors decreased (marked with black arrows).

Figure 3 The flowchart and brief results of this study.

Abbreviations: HEH, hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma; CR, complete response; PR, partial response; SD, stable disease; PD, progressive disease.