Table 4 Different models for the study of TACE treating HCC with nano-formulation

Human

HCC patients

Clinical trials, high level of evidence

Image (MRI);

drug delivery

[47, 50, 51, 97]

Rat

N1S1 liver tumor;

Mca-rh7777 rat;

ACI rat (Morris hepatoma 3924A)

Low cost, easy to obtain, breed and raise, relatively easy to modeling

Image (MRI); drug deliver;

embolization;

PTT, targeting therapy

[49, 52, 53, 56, 61, 74,75,76, 96, 98, 146]

Rabbit

VX2 liver cancer;

rabbit ear embolization model

Similar pathological and anatomic characteristics with HCC patients, high reproductive, large body size, and suitable for TACE procedure

Image (US, X-ray, MRI); drug deliver; embolization;

gene therapy; PTT; PDT; microwave ablation

[36, 54, 55, 57,58,59,60, 62,63,64,65,66, 68, 69, 78, 107, 113, 146, 156]

Swine

Porcine (healthy);

PBPK model

High homology to human, suitable for interventional intubation

Embolization;

image (X-ray);

pharmacokinetic profiles; drug deliver

[36, 154, 155]