A meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of iodine [ 131 I] metuximab infusion combined with TACE for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

•Efficacy and safety of combination iodine [131I] metuximab infusion and transcathether arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with those of TACE-alone for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were compared.•Literature search regarding controlled clinical trials comparing combination TACE and iodine [131I] metuximab infusion with TACE-alone for HCC treatment was done.•This evidence-based medical analysis showed that treating unresectable liver cancer with combined 131I metuximab arterial infusion and TACE was safe and could increase 6-month survival, 1-year overall survival, and the response rate, relative to TACE alone.