Transarterial chemoembolization and bland embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

Table 1 Randomized controlled trials comparing transarterial embolization with transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Ref.	Patients, n	Chemotherapy in TACE arm	Embolizing agent	Outcome in survival
Kawai et al[41], 1992	289	Doxorubicin	Lipiodol + gerlfoam	NS
Chang et al[42], 1994	46	Cisplatin	Lipiodol + gerlfoam	NS
Llovet et al[43], 2002	77	Doxorubicin	Lipiodol	NS
Malagari et al[30], 2010	84	Doxorubicin-loaded LC beads	BeadBlocks	NS
Meyer et al[39], 2013	86	Cisplatin	PVA particles	NS
Brown et al[40], 2012	101	Doxorubicin-loaded LC beads	BeadBlocks	NS

TACE: Transarterial chemoembolization; NS: Non-significant; PVA: Polyvinyl alcohol.

Table 2 Prognostic scores of survival after transarterial chemoembolization and transarterial embolization

Ref.	Parameters	Cut-off	Comments
Llado et al[57]	AFP > 400 ng/mLTumor volume > 50%Child-Pugh score	Based on regression co-efficients	Patients classified in 3 categories
Pinato et al[58]	Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio	Significant improvement in survival if NLR stable or normalized post TACE	Radiological response after TACE also associated with survival
Kadalayil et al[59]	Albumin < 36 g/dLbilirubin > 17 μmol/LAFP > 400 ng/mLDominant tumor > 7 cm	4 groups based on HAP scores of 0, 1, 2 and > 2	Validated in an independent dataset
Sieghart et al[60]	Increase of AST > 25%Increase of Child-Pugh > 1Absence of radiologic tumor response	0-1.5 points;≥ 2.5 points	Determines prognosis prior to 2nd TACE; validated in independent cohort

TACE: Transarterial chemoembolization; HAP: Hepatoma arterial-embolisation prognostic; NLR: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio.