TACElike

TACElike is a descriptor used in interventional radiology and oncology to refer to treatment approaches that resemble transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in mechanism and therapeutic intent, without prescribing a single standardized protocol. The term is not universally standardized and may be applied variably in the literature to encompass several closely related strategies.

Mechanistically, TACElike approaches involve selective catheter-based delivery of anticancer agents into the arterial supply of a tumor, typically accompanied by embolic material to reduce blood flow. The goal is to achieve high local concentrations of chemotherapy while inducing ischemia in the tumor. Variants commonly fall under the broader TACE family, including conventional TACE (cTACE), which uses an emulsion of chemotherapy with an oily carrier, and drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE), which delivers chemotherapy from beads that slowly release the drug.

Indications typically include hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases in patients who are not candidates for surgical resection or ablation, as well as bridging to transplantation in selected cases. The procedures are performed by interventional radiologists via arterial access, with selective catheterization of hepatic arteries followed by administration of chemotherapeutic agents, embolic particles, or both, depending on the chosen TACElike approach.

Outcomes reported for TACElike therapies vary with tumor burden, liver function, and technique. Benefits can include improved local tumor control and palliation, but risks such as post-embolization syndrome, liver decompensation, and procedure-related complications are important considerations. As a descriptive term, TACElike serves to categorize a spectrum of embolization-based, chemotherapy-delivery strategies rather than a single, standardized treatment.