Chemoembolization with Degradable Starch Microspheres (DSM-TACE): expanding indications in HCC multidisciplinary tumor board

The role of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) management has changed over the last twenty years. There has been a trend towards an overall decline in TACE procedures, but with a more aggressive approach, repeating multiple TACE sessions in case of tumor response. The survival of treated patients was prolonged because of better patient selection and advancements in TACE techniques aimed at preserving liver function. At present, TACE is approved by the International Guidelines also outside of the BCLC intermediate stage after evaluation of a multidisciplinary tumor board (MDTB), permitting a customized treatment for every patient. An alternative therapeutic strategy is represented by hepatic chemoembolization with Degradable Starch Microspheres (DSM-TACE), which is based on the chemotherapeutic effect rather than on the ischemic damage to the liver tumor, requiring multiple cycles of treatment. The higher safety profile of DSM-TACE has broadened the indications to patients waiting for liver transplantation (with bridging or downstaging intention), at high risk of liver failure and ineligible for systemic therapies. This review summarises the scientific publications supporting the use of DSM-TACE and illustrates its indications depending on the disease stage from the Interventional Radiologist’s perspective.