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Review
. 2025 Jul-Aug;15(4):102538.
doi: 10.1016/j.jceh.2025.102538. Epub 2025 Mar 3.

Transarterial Chemoembolization: A Consistent and Continuously Evolving Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Amar Mukund  1 , Niraj Kumar  1 , Amol Srivastava  1 , Akhil Baby  1
Affiliations
Review

Transarterial Chemoembolization: A Consistent and Continuously Evolving Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Amar Mukund et al. J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2025 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Since its introduction in 1977, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has widely been accepted treatment for unresectable intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Conventional TACE (c-TACE) uses an emulsion of chemotherapeutic agent and ethiodized oil with subsequent embolization of the feeding artery using gelatin sponge. Drug eluting beads (DEB) were introduced in clinical practice in the 2000s and have since been used as an alternative to c-TACE with better outcomes, especially in larger tumors. Considering the widespread use of TACE in HCC, it is important to revisit the current knowledge and the advances that have developed for better safety and efficacy. This article aims to emphasize on the current knowledge and importance of TACE, touch upon the technical aspects including post-TACE care, response assessment, and discontinuation strategies and highlight the recent advances in the technology, catheters, and embolization particles. Thus, despite a rapid change in treatment algorithms and availability of newer drugs for HCC, TACE will remain an integral part of HCC treatment alone or in combination with other therapies.

Keywords: B-TACE; HCC; TACE; hepatocellular carcinoma; transarterial chemoembolization.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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