recent progress in biomaterial – enhanced transarterial embolization for primary liver cancer therapy: a short review

Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma, is a prevalent and deadly malignancy underscoring the imperative for the development of novel treatment modalities for patients. hcc has emerged as a leading cause of cancer-related mortality on a global scale. despite significant advancements in the field, hcc patients continue to exhibit a poor prognosis, underscoring the need for more effective therapeutic strategies. the primary treatment approach for advanced-stage hcc is currently focused on palliating symptoms rather than achieving a cure. the employment of microscale biomaterials offers a promising avenue for enhancing outcomes in these patients. these therapy techniques include bland embolization (tae), transarterial chemoembolization (tace), conventional transarterial chemoembolization (ctace), drug-eluting beads tace (deb-tace), and transarterial radioembolization (tare). these are used when conventional methods fail or are not able to do much. these techniques involve the local injection of drugs, biomaterials, and embolic agents, with the objective of controlling tumor growth or reducing tumor burden. this review examines studies on these techniques with a focus on their application in various clinical settings and their potential combination with other local or systemic therapies.  a multidisciplinary approach is essential to provide patients with the best possible care.