Title:  Efficacy of Prophylactic Dexamethasone in Reducing Post-Embolization Syndrome
Following Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Version: 0 Date: 24 Jun 2024
Reviewer's report:
This study evaluates the efficacy of prophylactic dexamethasone in reducing post-embolization
syndrome (PES) symptoms—abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting—following TACE
for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.  This meta-analysis of five trials showed significant
reductions in the incidence of these symptoms,  suggesting that dexamethasone is effective in
preventing and alleviating PES.
1. A comprehensive search is required for the meta-analysis. The search terms are relatively
incomplete and not standardized in current version of the manuscript. I supposed that a complete
search strategy could be conducted and attached as a supplement.
2.  Could more data on patient baseline characteristics be provided in Table 1?
3.  As the treatment of HCC progresses towards an era of integrated TACE, immunotherapy,
and targeted therapy (eClinicalMedicine, 2024, 72:102622; Signal Transduct Target Ther, 2023,
8(1): 58; Eur Radiol, 2023, 33(12): 8669-81), the authors are encouraged to enhance their
discussion on the role of dexamethasone in managing PES within these combination therapies,
as well as its potential effects on immunotherapy outcomes.
4. Could authors add a correlation analysis chart detailing the effect of dexamethasone on PES
and the proportion of the study population with HBV infection?
Title:  Efficacy of Prophylactic Dexamethasone in Reducing Post-Embolization Syndrome
Following Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Version: 0 Date: 24 Jun 2024
Reviewer's report:
This study evaluates the efficacy of prophylactic dexamethasone in reducing post-embolization
syndrome (PES) symptoms—abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting—following TACE
for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.  This meta-analysis of five trials showed significant
reductions in the incidence of these symptoms,  suggesting that dexamethasone is effective in
preventing and alleviating PES.
1. A comprehensive search is required for the meta-analysis. The search terms are relatively
incomplete and not standardized in current version of the manuscript. I supposed that a complete
search strategy could be conducted and attached as a supplement.
2.  Could more data on patient baseline characteristics be provided in Table 1?
3.  As the treatment of HCC progresses towards an era of integrated TACE, immunotherapy,
and targeted therapy (eClinicalMedicine, 2024, 72:102622; Signal Transduct Target Ther, 2023,
8(1): 58; Eur Radiol, 2023, 33(12): 8669-81), the authors are encouraged to enhance their
discussion on the role of dexamethasone in managing PES within these combination therapies,
as well as its potential effects on immunotherapy outcomes.
4. Could authors add a correlation analysis chart detailing the effect of dexamethasone on PES
and the proportion of the study population with HBV infection?
Please review this paper.
user
Title:  Efficacy of Prophylactic Dexamethasone in Reducing Post-Embolization Syndrome
Following Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Version: 0 Date: 24 Jun 2024
Reviewer's report:
This study evaluates the efficacy of prophylactic dexamethasone in reducing post-embolization
syndrome (PES) symptoms—abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting—following TACE
for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.  This meta-analysis of five trials showed significant
reductions in the incidence of these symptoms,  suggesting that dexamethasone is effective in
preventing and alleviating PES.
1. A comprehensive search is required for the meta-analysis. The search terms are relatively
incomplete and not standardized in current version of the manuscript. I supposed that a complete
search strategy could be conducted and attached as a supplement.
2.  Could more data on patient baseline characteristics be provided in Table 1?
3.  As the treatment of HCC progresses towards an era of integrated TACE, immunotherapy,
and targeted therapy (eClinicalMedicine, 2024, 72:102622; Signal Transduct Target Ther, 2023,
8(1): 58; Eur Radiol, 2023, 33(12): 8669-81), the authors are encouraged to enhance their
discussion on the role of dexamethasone in managing PES within these combination therapies,
as well as its potential effects on immunotherapy outcomes.
4. Could authors add a correlation analysis chart detailing the effect of dexamethasone on PES
and the proportion of the study population with HBV infection?
assistant