Overweight with HBV infection limited the efficacy of TACE in hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting the upregulated HMGB1.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the impact of hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection and body mass index (BMI) on TACE is controversial. The present study aimed to compare the influence of HBV and high BMI on TACE outcomes in advanced HCC. Based on HBV infection history and BMI, patients were assigned to different subgroups. Blood samples were collected and analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) in the population. Compared to overweight combined HBV patients who received TACE, people with normal weight or no viral infection had significantly better OS and PFS. Sex, age, portal vein tumor thrombus, BCLC, ECOG, and tumor diameter are the main risk factors affecting PFS and OS. Except for the postoperative fever, no significant difference was detected in adverse reactions. Irrespective of TACE, the average expression of HMGB1 in hepatitis or obesity patients was higher than that in normal individuals and did not show upregulation after TACE. Patients without overweight or HBV infection had a low expression of serum HMGB1 that was substantially upregulated after TACE. In this study, overweight combined HBV infection patients had shorter PFS and OS than other HCC patients. Thus, HBV and BMI maybe two factors affecting the efficacy of TACE via upregulated HMGB1. 1. High BMI combined with HBV infection has a negative impact on the PFS and OS of HCC patients treated with TACE. 2. Irrespective of TACE, the average HMGB1 in hepatitis and obesity patients was higher than that in normal individuals, which was not upregulated after TACE. 3. Patients without overweight and HBV infection had a low level of serum concentration of HMGB1 before TACE that was upregulated after TACE. Compared to others, these patients have severe changes in HMGB1 in the peripheral blood after treatment, indicating a higher risk of acute liver injury. 4. Upregulated HMGB1 elevated the prognosis after TACE, but obesity and HBV infection resulted in the negative effect by inhibiting HMGB1 expression. 5. For advanced HCC, overweight combined HBV infection, PVTT, multiple lesions, and larger tumor diameter are negative factors for TACE.