Combining chemoembolization using microspheres with iodized oil in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of combining chemoembolization using microspheres with iodized oil in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular cancer.Methods According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,two reviewers independently completed the whole process of data search,selection,collection and quality assessment.The Medline,Cancer Lit,PUBMED,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,CNKI,CBM,VIP,Wanfang Data and Grey literature were searched for randomized controlled trails (RCTs) on combining chemoembolization using microspheres with iodized oil in the treatment of liver cancer.The search was from January 2005 to December 2012.The software package Rev Man 5.1 (the Cochrane collaboration) was used to conduct the Meta-analysis and to analyze the data.Results Of the 159 trials selected out from January 2005 and December 2012 for review,only five RCT involving 471 patients were finally included into the analysis.When compared with chemoembolization by iodized oil alone,the combination treatment significantly improved the therapeutic effectiveness (CR + PR).However,there was no obvious difference between the two methods of treatment in the incidence of adverse reaction.Conclusions Combining chemoembolization using microspheres with iodized oil for patients with hepatocellular cancer was effective in controlling liver cancer progression.There is still a need to reduce the incidence of adverse reaction in future. Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Microspheres ; Iodized oil; Chemoembolization ; Meta-analysis