FOLFOX hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for selected liver cancersWhen a large liver cancer cannot yet be operated on,
seek tumour shrinkage and a chance of resection.
For eligible patients with a large, currently unresectable liver cancer, FOLFOX hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy may offer a chance of surgery after tumour shrinkage. Benefits in Chinese research apply to a specific population. Conversion to resection cannot be promised, and current immunotherapy combinations were not directly compared.
Free initial service consultation · Understand your options and budget before you travel
- Conversion to resection
- 24% versus 12%; university research report, not an individual prediction of surgical opportunity
- Objective response rate
- 46% versus 18%, RECIST 1.1; not equivalent to the proportion becoming resectable
All figures are HAIC versus TACE, limited to unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with maximum diameter ≥7cm and no major vascular invasion or extrahepatic metastases. Current immunotherapy combinations were not directly compared. View the evidence
The study was limited to unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, maximum diameter ≥7cm, without major vascular invasion or extrahepatic metastases. The comparator was TACE, not current immunotherapy combinations. View sources
First seek tumour shrinkage, then a chance of surgery
FOLFOX-HAIC delivers chemotherapy through the hepatic artery to seek tumour shrinkage in eligible patients with large liver cancers. Chinese teams' infusion experience can help connect catheter-based treatment with subsequent resection assessment.
Set goals around possible later resection
Liver surgeons, interventional specialists and medical oncologists should compare HAIC, TACE and systemic treatment together and clarify whether resection could become feasible after shrinkage.
Reassess the next step after each cycle
Review liver function, tolerance and imaging changes, returning to surgery discussions if criteria are met. Repeated cycles are still needed; infusion itself is not a promise of cure.
Budget across several cycles, from tumour shrinkage to the next step
Itemise each catheter procedure, medicine, admission and reassessment; subsequent surgery is separate. No reliable standard full-course international patient price is available. Foreign patients should request fully self-funded quotes without Chinese insurance or assistance.
- Each cycle
- Catheterisation and angiography, chemotherapy drugs, admission and supportive medicines: quote needed
- Between cycles
- Blood tests, liver function and imaging assessment: quote needed
- Subsequent treatment
- Additional surgery, targeted therapy or immunotherapy must be budgeted separately
Drug costs or one infusion fee cannot represent the whole course. Treatment numbers and length of stay must be adjusted to response, toxicity and disease progression.
Finding treatment that fits you
starts with the reports you already have.
Clarifying your disease type and previous treatment helps establish whether this option could form part of a plan for you.
- Closest match to this page's studyUnresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with maximum diameter ≥7cm and no major vascular invasion or extrahepatic metastases.
- Adequate organ reserveAssess cirrhosis, bilirubin, blood counts, kidney function, infection and physical fitness.
- Do not apply directlyPortal vein tumour thrombus, widespread metastases or cholangiocarcinoma require their own evidence review. Decompensated liver function may preclude treatment.
Some patients underwent surgery after shrinkage; serious risks remain
The Chinese phase III trial enrolled 315 patients: 159 on HAIC and 156 on TACE. Some gained an opportunity for resection. The population was specifically defined, and current immunotherapy combinations were not directly compared, so the study cannot establish HAIC as superior to them.
- Median overall survival
- HAIC 23.1 months versus TACE 16.1 months; limited to this study population, not an individual prognosis
- Conversion to resection
- 24% versus 12%, university research report
- Serious adverse events
- HAIC 19%，TACE 30%
- Treatment-related deaths
- 2 in each group
Risks include liver injury, bone marrow suppression, infection, nausea and neurotoxicity, plus catheter-related bleeding or vascular injury. All proportions above are ordered HAIC versus TACE. The study was led by Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, with Shi Ming as corresponding author and Li Qijiong and He Minke as first authors. This institution is distinct from Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital.
You do not need to book flights first.
Clarify treatment and costs before you travel.
Tell us your diagnosis, previous treatments and main concerns. We help you communicate about Shanghai consultation requirements, budgets and travel arrangements.
- Provide original contrast-enhanced liver MRI or CT and staging records to assess tumour shrinkage and resection possibilities
- Organise pathology, AFP and other diagnostic records to confirm the liver cancer type
- Provide liver and kidney function, blood counts and hepatitis B records to assess infusion tolerance
- List previous interventional and systemic treatments to coordinate further cycles and surgical assessment
Start the first conversation with the records you already have.
You do not need to arrange new tests yourself for an initial consultation.
Get answers to the questions that matter to you
before you travel.
Costs, potential benefit and further treatment deserve specific answers before departure.
Does tumour shrinkage guarantee surgery?
No. Resectability and liver reserve still need assessment after shrinkage. The study's conversion-to-resection proportion does not represent an individual's chance, and infusion is not a promise of cure.
How do HAIC and TACE differ, and how many treatments are needed?
HAIC mainly delivers continuous chemotherapy infusion, while TACE also involves embolisation. Selection depends on blood supply, tumour characteristics and liver function. One treatment is usually insufficient. The trial here used cycles every 3 weeks; individual cycles and stays are adjusted to response, toxicity and progression.
Can this replace immunotherapy or targeted therapy?
It cannot replace every regimen on this evidence. The trial compared against TACE, not directly against current immunotherapy combinations. Combining or changing systemic medicines requires separate assessment.
Seek tumour shrinkage as a possible step towards surgery.
Starting with your condition and budget, we help communicate about consultations and treatment arrangements in Shanghai.
The initial service consultation is free; the treating doctor assesses your specific medical plan.
Sources and image credits
Information is compiled from public approval documents, studies and prices and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Research and cost figures each have a defined scope; published prices are not personal international patient quotes. Costs are discussed on a self-funded basis without Chinese health insurance or free-drug assistance.
- Sun Yat-sen University: Shi Ming team's phase III FOLFOX-HAIC study · Verified 2026-10-03
- JCO: randomised phase III FOLFOX-HAIC versus TACE trial · Published online 2021-10-14
- KLCA-NCC: 2022 hepatocellular carcinoma clinical guideline and limits of HAIC evidence · Published 2023; verified 2026-10-03