Smart nanoparticles and microbeads for interventional embolization therapy of liver cancer: state of the art

The process of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization is characterized by the ability to accurately deliver chemotherapy drugs with minimal systemic side effects and has become the standard treatment for unresectable intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, this treatment option still has much room for improvement, one of which may be the introduction of nanomaterials, which exhibit unique functions and can be applied to in vivo tumor imaging and therapy. Several biodegradable and multifunctional nanomaterials and nanobeads have recently been developed and applied in the locoregional treatment of hepatocellular cancer. This review explores recent developments and findings in relation to micro-nano medicines in transarterial therapy for HCC, emerging strategies to improve the efficacy of delivering nano-based medicines, and expounding prospects for clinical applications of nanomaterials.