Abstract: Objective The aim of this clinical trial was to compare efficacy of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (D-TACE) and conventional transarterial chemoembolization (C-TACE) in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A total of 104 patients with HCC were encountered in our hospital between January 2020 and February 2023, were assigned to receive D-TACE in 56 cases, or to receive C-TACE in 48 cases, and all were followed-up for two years. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) levels were routinely detected. Results A comparatively higher disease control rate (DCR) was observed in D-TACE group than in C-TACE group (85.7% vs. 66.7%, respectively, P＜0.05); after treatment, serum AFP and PIVKA-II levels in D-TACE group were (90.4±16.7)μg/L and (361.0±41.9)μg/L, both much lower than [(154.1±20.5)μg/L and (421.4±48.7)μg/L, respectively, P＜0.05] in C-TACE group; incidence of adverse effects, such as nausea, granulocytopenia and serum ALT level elevation in D-TACE group were 7.1%, 16.1% and 12.5%, all much lower than 22.9%, 35.4% and 31.3%(P＜0.05) in C-TACE group; one- and two-year survival rates in D-TACE group were 84.9%(45/53) and 69.8%(37/53), both much higher than 68.3%(28/41, P<0.05) and 51.2%(21/41, P<0.05) in C-TACE group. Conclusion D-TACE therapy is efficacious in treatment of patients with HCC, which might improve disease control rate, reduce postoperative adverse reactions, and prolong overall survival.

Key words: Hepatoma, Drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization, Therapy, Survival