title: Sorafenib in combination with transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This meta-analysis aimed to analyze the efficacy of sorafenib in combination with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic data bases were searched for studies (1) enrolled HCC patients undergoing TACE; (2) with sorafenib therapy and control arm of no sorafenib therapy were included for meta-analysis and meta-regression; (3) studies without control arm were included for data review and (4) had time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) or relative outcome of HCC as the endpoint. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed according to Cochrane guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five studies (3 randomized trials, 1 cohort study and 1 prospective non- randomized controlled trial, totally 899 patients) were eligible for meta-analysis. The hazard ratio (HR) for TTP was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.48-1.03, p = 0.003) with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 82.7%) and for OS was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.47-1.05, p = 0.147) with slight heterogeneity (I2 = 47.9%). However, no covariate was found as independent predictor for better treatment efficacy. Hand-foot skin reaction, alopecia, rash/desquamation, diarrhea, hypertension, fatigue, anorexia, nausea and vomiting were common adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TACE combined with sorafenib has potential efficacy for HCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. humeidi@126.com.
authors.forename: M-D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: L-H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: H-B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: K-H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: G-H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077157:Sorafenib; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D009536:Niacinamide; D000077157:Sorafenib