Idarubicin vs doxorubicin in transarterial chemoembolization of intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Table 2 Early adverse events according to treatment group occurring within the month after transarterial chemoembolization, n (%)

Adverse events	Doxorubicin, n = 60		Idarubicin, n = 30
	Any grade	Grade 3-4	Any grade	Grade 3-4
Any adverse event	58 (97)	21 (35)	29 (97)	13 (43)
Treatment-related death	1 (2)	1 (2)	0	0
Post embolization syndrome	27 (45)	NA	19 (63)	NA
Fatigue	27 (45)	7 (11)	19 (63)	3 (10)
Pain	9 (15)	7 (12)	5 (17)	4 (13)
Gastrointestinal disorders
Biliary complications	5 (8)	4 (7)	1 (3)	0
Liver failure	6 (10)	4 (7)	4 (13)	2 (7)
Paralytic ileus	1 (2)	0	0	0
Portal thrombosis	0	0	1 (2)	1 (2)
Liver biological parameters
Elevated AST	55 (92)	20 (33)	26 (87)	13 (43)
Elevated ALT	51 (85)	14 (23)	24 (80)	7 (23)
Elevated GGT	21 (35)	0	12 (40)	0
Elevated ALP	16 (27)	0	5 (17)	0
Hyperbilirubinemia	34 (57)	0	22 (73)	0
Decreased prothrombin time	28 (48)	0	9 (32)	0
Neurological disorders
Stroke	1 (2)	0	0	0
Respiratory disorders
Lung failure	1 (2)	0	1 (3)	1 (3)
Lung infection	0	0	2 (7)	2 (7)
Urinary tract disorders
Acute kidney failure	1 (2)	0	0	0
Acute urine retention	3 (5)	0	1 (3)	0
Urinary tract infection	1 (2)	1 (2)	0	0

Biological adverse events are expressed based on their comparison with normal values or with patient’s baseline value in case of abnormal baseline as recommended by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 5.0. ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; GGT: Gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase; NA: Not applicable.