Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Endostar Combined With Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE) Versus TACE Alone for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Many studies have investigated the efficacy of Endostar combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) versus TACE alone for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Endostar. PubMed, Embase, and other databases were searched, and meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Nine studies, all of which were clinical randomized controlled trials, involving 411 participants were included. The overall response rate, disease control rate and α-fetoprotein negative conversion ratio, and the 6- and 12-month survival rate of HCC patients treated with combined Endostar and TACE were higher than those treated with TACE alone (P < .01). Furthermore, the incidence of tumor progression was low after Endostar treatment (P = .005). The incidence of adverse effects (leukocytopenia, liver function damage, and vomiting) was similar in Endostar with TACE and in TACE alone (P > .05). However, large studies and more randomized trials are necessary to determine the effects of Endostar on HCC.