Receiver operating curves were drawn to estimate the best AFP reduction cut off for differentiating between responders (CR plus PR) from non-responders (PD).
AFP response was classified as follows: complete response, normalization of AFP; partial response, > 50% decrease from baseline; stable disease, - 50 to + 30% change from baseline; or progressive disease, > 30% increase from baseline.
Although AFP criteria and mRECIST showed significantly prognostic strata for CR, PR, SD, and PD after chemoembolization (P < .001 for both), some overlap in radiologic PD survival curves was observed.
Among the evaluable patients with stages II-IV, 48 (98%) achieved complete remission after chemotherapy ± surgery, one (IT + AFP, stage IV) had progressive disease.