[Expert consensus on transarterial chemoembolization refractoriness and subsequent therapies in hepatocellular...

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the fundamental method for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, ineffective repeat TACE may lead to damage on liver function and therefore have negative effect on long-term prognosis of HCC. The concept of "TACE failure/refractoriness" was then proposed to avoid ineffective repeat TACE. Nevertheless, whether the existing definitions of "TACE failure/refractoriness" are applicable to Chinese HCCs remains to be discussed. Combining reported clinical evidence with experts' opinion, the Chinese College of Interventionalists (CCI) TACE Refractoriness Collaboration Group proposed the CCI definition and expert consensus on TACE refractoriness in 2021. The CCI definition and expert consensus aims to make the concept of TACE refractoriness more scientific and objective, so as to better guide clinical practice of TACE for patients with HCC in China.