Effects of supplement therapy on HBV-related HCC: a case report of a significant tumour regression

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy with a poor prognosis and is among the common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The risk of HCC increases with several risk factors and co-factors. The well-known risk factors of HCC include cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B virus infection (HBV), hepatitis C virus infection and metabolic liver disease. Many effective treatment modalities for HCC have been used in clinical treatment, such as hepatectomy, transhepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE), radiofrequency ablation and chemotherapeutic agents. Herbal compounds could affect all phases of HCC, including initiation, promotion and progression. Therefore, herbal composite formula drugs are promising for preventing the invasion and proliferation of tumour cells. In this case report, we present a 71 years old Myanmar male patient with HCC with hepatitis B. Firstly, his hepatologists advised him to do TACE or liver resection. However, he did not agree with these treatment plans and decided to be treated with integrative medicines. He had been treated with tenofovir and herbal supplements such as milk thistle (silymarin), chamomile extract containing apigenin, luteolin, resveratrol, green tea extract containing epigallocatechin gallate, and lycopene. The patient is clinically stable with a reduction of AFP levels during follow-ups. After 6 months of treatment with integrative medicines, the AFP level reached normal, and there was no HCC on the CT scan 20 months after initiation of treatment. Moreover, the HBV DNA became undetected after 3 months of treatment. This case may provide helpful information for treating HCC with integrative medicine.