Chen X, Zhu F, Wang B, et al. - A treatment strategy combining iodine-125 seed implantation with chemotherapy for primary liver cancer resulted in reduction in serum tumor markers levels [alpha-fetoprotein, AFP-L3 (alpha-fetoprotein variants), and Golgi body protein 73], improvement in the level of peripheral blood Th1/Th2 cells, and decrease in recurrence rate of patients without elevating the incidence of side effects.

• Total 136 patients with primary liver cancer were included.

• Patients were randomized to control group (n = 68), wherein chemotherapy was administered, or to observation group (n = 68) wherein iodine-125 seed implantation was performed on the basis of the control group.

• Three months post-treatment, lower levels of tumor markers and higher level of including interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α in Th1 cells whereas lower levels of IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 in Th2 cells were found in observation group vs control group.

• At 12, 24, and 36 months post-treatment, lower recurrence rate was observed in observation group vs control group.