Research advances in Huai'er granules combined with transarterial chemoembolization in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) has an insidious onset and when a confirmed diagnosis is made, most patients lose the chance for surgery and are given transarterial chemoembolization ( TACE) as palliative treatment. However, repeated TACE may lead to overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α ( HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) , liver injury, and reduced immune function and has poor long-term efficacy. The introduction of Huai'er granules may help to change the current status. Studies in China and foreign countries have shown that Huai'er granules exert a remarkable anti-tumor effect by blocking cell cycle, inducing cell apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation and invasion, and blocking the hepatitis B-hepatocellular carcinoma pathway. Meanwhile, as an adjuvant drug for HCC, Huai'er granules cover the shortcomings of TACE from multiple aspects and can effectively inhibit the overexpression of HIF-1α and VEGF, improve liver injury and immunity, enhance the effect of chemotherapy drugs, and reverse drug resistance. Many clinical studies have confirmed the remarkable advantages of Huai' er granules combined with TACE, and their synergistic effect helps to enhance anti-tumor effect and improve short-and long-term survival rates.