Transarterial Infusion Chemotherapy (TAIC)
What is this method?
Transarterial Infusion Chemotherapy (TAIC) is a method of targeted (selective) chemotherapy.
In conventional systemic chemotherapy, the drug is administered into a vein, enters the systemic circulation, and is diluted throughout the body: only a small fraction reaches the tumor, while healthy organs suffer.
In TAIC, through a micro-puncture on the skin (only 2 mm) under X-ray guidance, the doctor navigates an ultra-thin flexible tube (catheter) directly through blood vessels to the artery feeding the specific tumor and delivers the chemotherapeutic agent right there.
How does it work?
The mechanism of action is built upon two key effects:
Targeted strike (Targeted delivery)
The drug enters directly into the tumor's supply network. The drug concentration directly inside the neoplasm is tens of times higher than with standard intravenous administration.
"Trap" effect (First-Pass Effect)
Upon entering the tumor blood vessels, the chemotherapeutic agent first deposits within the tumor tissue itself and destroys cancer cells. By the time residual drug leaves the tumor into the general circulation, its concentration has already dropped significantly, and part of the substance is neutralized by the liver. As a result, healthy tissues and organs suffer virtually no damage.
Key advantages for the patient
Minimal invasiveness. No incisions, general anesthesia, or scars — only a 2 mm micro-puncture.
Better tolerated. Because the drug works locally, systemic side effects (severe nausea, vomiting, drop in white blood cell count, hair loss) are significantly milder or absent altogether.
Rapid recovery. The patient recovers within 1–2 days.
Compatibility. The method can be combined with embolization (TACE), immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy.
When is the method used? (Indications)
Liver cancer (HAIC method)
Hepatocellular carcinoma (including complex cases with invasion into the portal or hepatic vein).
Large liver tumors or cases where standard treatment (TACE) has ceased to be effective.
Liver metastases from bowel, stomach, breast, lung cancer, etc.
Lung cancer (BAI method)
Advanced or recurrent lung cancer (Stages IIIb–IV).
Central lung cancer, failure of previous lines of chemotherapy.
Cases complicated by hemoptysis (allows simultaneously stopping bleeding and acting on the tumor).
Other solid tumors of intermediate and advanced stages
Pancreatic, stomach, esophageal, kidney, cervical, uterine (endometrial), ovarian, breast, bladder, head and neck, and soft tissue cancers, etc.
Preoperative preparation (Conversion therapy)
Allows reducing the size of an initially inoperable tumor to make surgical removal possible.