Influence of transarterial chemoembolization on serum opsonic activity in hepatocellular carcinoma measured by chemiluminescence

This study aimed to evaluate the physical stress associated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), a catheter-based treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, by examining changes in serum opsonic activity (SOA). SOA was examined by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by neutrophils using lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (LgCL) and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LmCL). Sixty-four patients were enrolled, and SOA was measured at admission, the following day, and 3 days after TACE. The area under the curve (AUC) for LgCL did not change significantly from baseline to the day after TACE but increased significantly from the following day to 3 days post-TACE. In contrast, no changes were observed in the AUC of LmCL. Subgroup analyses revealed a significant increase in LgCL from day 1 to day 3 post-TACE among patients aged >75 years, males, body mass index (BMI) <25 ‍kg/m², those with a FIB-4 index of ≥2.67, cisplatin use, Hepatitis B virus/Hepatitis C virus-related liver disease, or a procedure time ≥120 ‍min. Multivariate analyses identified BMI <25 ‍kg/m² and cisplatin use as significant risk factors for increased LgCL. Although TACE is considered a minimally invasive procedure, low BMI and cisplatin use have been identified as notable sources of significant physical stresses.