Published online Apr 24, 2025. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v16.i4.104435
Revised: February 6, 2025
Accepted: March 5, 2025
Published online: April 24, 2025
Processing time: 95 Days and 21.2 Hours
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common cancers worldwide. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization has become a common treatment modality for some patients with unresectable advanced HCC. Since the introduction of nanomaterials in 1974, their use in various fields has evolved rapidly. In medical applications, nanomaterials can serve as carriers for the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to tumour tissues. Additionally, nanomaterials have potential for in vivo tumour imaging. This article covers the properties and uses of several kinds of nanomaterials, focusing on their use in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for HCC treatment. This paper also discusses the limitations currently associated with the use of nanomaterials.
Core Tip: This article comprehensively discusses the potential of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with various nanomaterials in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. By summarizing the characteristics and applications of liposomes, micellar nanoparticles, hydrogels, metallic nanoparticles, and metal-organic frameworks, it highlights the enhanced therapeutic efficacy and precision offered by nanotechnology. The review also explores the advancements in imaging techniques and the challenges and limitations of integrating nanomaterials into clinical practice. Ultimately, the manuscript provides insights into the promising future of nanomaterial-based transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment, with potential for significant clinical impact.