Clinical applicability of synchronous vs sequential transarterial chemoembolization and microwave ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Table 1 Representative evidence comparing synchronous and sequential transarterial chemoembolization-microwave ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Ref.	Study design	Sample size	Treatment strategy	Key outcomes	Major limitations
Wang et al[49]	Retrospective (PSM)	180	Sync vs seq	Similar short-term efficacy	Short follow-up
Shi et al[8]	Prospective	96	Sync + Immunotherapy	Improved response	No control group
Xu et al[52]	Prospective	110	TACE + MWA	Better local control	Limited generalizability
Zhao et al[17]	Meta-analysis	12 studies	Combo vs monotherapy	Better PFS	Heterogeneity
Ni et al[13]	Meta-analysis	-	Combo vs monotherapy	Better tumor control	No RCT
Abdelaziz et al[14]	Clinical trial	73	TACE + MWA	Feasible and safe	Small sample
Peng et al[12]	RCT	189	TACE + ablation	Better survival	Radiofrequency ablation-based

PSM: Propensity score matching; TACE: Transarterial chemoembolization; MWA: Microwave ablation; PFS: Progression-free survival; RCT: Randomized controlled trial.