Circulating tumor cells for monitoring the efficacy of microwave ablation combined with traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors and has a poor prognosis. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) combined with traditional Chinese medicine in treating HCC by monitoring changes in circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The study enrolled 70 patients with advanced HCC, who were divided into an MWA group and an MWA combined with Guipi decoction (GPD) treatment group (MWA + GPD). The number of CTCs was detected before and after treatment, and the potential of CTCs in monitoring treatment efficacy for HCC was evaluated by simulating a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Patients in the MWA + GPD group demonstrated significantly higher overall survival time and disease progression-free survival time compared to the MWA group (P < 0.05). Following treatment, the total number of CTCs in both patient groups decreased significantly (P < 0.05), with the MWA + GPD group exhibiting a significantly lower CTC count than the MWA group (P < 0.05). Among patients with metastasis, a higher number of mesenchymal-type CTCs (MCTCs) was detected, and the ROC curve for MCTCs in the MWA + GPD group demonstrated superior performance. When the CTC count is <8, survival time significantly increases in both patient groups. Combined MWA and GPD therapy demonstrates favorable efficacy in treating advanced HCC, prolonging patient survival and improving quality of life. In addition, dynamic CTC monitoring holds significant clinical value in evaluating treatment efficacy for advanced HCC.