Citation: Lei Cao, Weidong Huang, Longlin Yin, Yu Liang, Wenhao Li, Congrui Liu, Ping Xie, Zhaonan Li, Tao Lu, Xueqin Huang, Shi Zhou, Wencheng Wu. Nanotechnology-driven innovations in transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: A focus on smart and flexible platforms[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(8): 112643. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112643 shu

Nanotechnology-driven innovations in transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: A focus on smart and flexible platforms

Lei Cao ^{a, b, c, 1} ,
Weidong Huang ^{b, 1} ,
Longlin Yin ^{b, 1} ,
Yu Liang ^{a, d, 1} ,
Wenhao Li ^a ,
Congrui Liu ^a ,
Ping Xie ^b ,
Zhaonan Li ^b ,
Tao Lu ^b ,
Xueqin Huang ^c ,
Shi Zhou ^c ,
Wencheng Wu ^{a, *,}

a.
Central Laboratory and Department of Medical Ultrasound, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
b.
Department of Radiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
c.
Department of Interventional Radiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
d.
Department of Ultrasound, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China

wuwencheng@uestc.edu.cn

Received Date: 12 January 2026
Revised Date: 14 March 2026
Accepted Date: 17 March 2026
Available Online: 18 March 2026

Figures(1)

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) remains the standard of care for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, clinical outcomes are frequently compromised by off-target toxicity, incomplete tumour necrosis, and the induction of a post-procedural immunosuppressive microenvironment. The integration of nanotechnology represents a paradigm shift designed to circumvent these biological and technical barriers. For instance, magnesium-enhanced TACE has demonstrated an objective response rate of ~93.3%, substantially surpassing that of conventional TACE therapies. This review evaluates nanotechnology's impact on TACE through four domains: Smart nanocarriers for stimuli-responsive delivery; theranostic platforms for real-time imaging; immune remodeling to boost immunotherapy; and next-generation embolic materials such as biodegradable polymers and liquid metals. Finally, we address the preclinical-to-clinical translation gap and outline a roadmap for personalized, high-precision interventional oncology.
- Transarterial chemoembolization,
- Smart nanocarriers,
- Tumor microenvironment,
- Immunotherapy,
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
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