BackgroundIcaritin, a prenylated flavonoid extracted from Epimedium, induces apoptosis and modulates immunity with proven antitumor activity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to compare survival outcomes of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus Icaritin versus TACE alone in HCC patients with macrovascular invasion (MVI).MethodsThis multicenter retrospective cohort study, conducted from October 2022 to June 2025, included 288 patients with HCC and MVI from five tertiary hospitals.
Patients were assigned to either the TACE plus Icaritin group (n = 144) or the TACE monotherapy group (n = 144). Tumor response was evaluated by mRECIST on contrast-enhanced CT/MRI.
Overall survival and progression-free survival were estimated using Kaplan Meier curves and compared by log-rank test; prognostic factors were identified via Cox regression.ResultsThe Icaritin–TACE group showed significantly better outcomes, with longer median OS (16.3 vs. 13.3 months; P = 0.020) and PFS (8.5 vs.
7.6 months; P = 0.006) than the TACE monotherapy group. The disease control rate (DCR) was also higher in the Icaritin–TACE group (84.0% vs.
72.2%; P = 0.015).
Frontiers in Immunology published a clinical update in Infectious Disease on 29 May 2026.
The item focuses on Icaritin plus TACE improves survival in advanced HCC with macrovascular invasion: a multicenter cohort study.
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