Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of microwave ablation (MWA) combined with drug-eluting beads(DEB)-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on the prognosis and immune function of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Methods A total of 70 patients with advanced HCC admitted to the hospital from April 2020 to September 2021 were divided into observation group (DEB-TACE combined with MWA, n=35) and control group (TACE combined with MWA, n=35). The two groups of serum indexes, clinical efficacy, immune function and complications were compared. Results The serum levels of Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), albumin (Alb) aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBil) in the observation group were significantly lower than the control group after 4 weeks of treatment[ (65.23±9.18) ng/mL vs. (123.38±13.46) ng/mL, (33.26±2.61) g/L vs. (36.46±2.93) g/L, (44.24±4.14)μmol/L vs. (49.17±5.23) μmol/L, (24.97±4.25) μmol/L vs. (31.15±5.13) μmol/L, all P<0.05]. After 8 weeks of treatment, CD4+ in the observation group was, significantly higher than control group[(43.51±9.29)% vs. (33.72±8.31)%, (P<0.05)], contrary to CD8+[(24.29±3.35)% vs. (27.14±4.21)%, P<0.05]. The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than the control group[(85.71%) vs. (57.14%), P<0.05]. Between the two groups, there was no difference in the incidence of complications (P>0.05). Conclusion MWA combined with DEB-TACE has a significant and definite curative effect in advanced HCC. Meanwhile, it could also reduce the serum AFP level and improve liver function in patients, which is safe and reliable.

Key words: Advanced liver cancer, DEB-TACE, Microwave ablation, Immune function