Review for 10.1186/s12876-021-01631-w (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Balloon occluded TACE (B-TACE) vs DEM-TACE for HCC. A single
center retrospective case control study.
Version: 
0 
Date: 
18 Oct 2020
Reviewer's report:
Balloon occluded TACE (B-TACE) vs DEM-TACE for HCC. A single center
retrospective case control study (BMGE-D-20-01221)
This is a retrospective study coming from Italy (N=149; 226 nodules) focused on
the tole of b-TACE vs. DEM-TACE in the treatment of hepatocellular cancer
(HCC).
The study is interesting, comparing two innovative therapies for the treatment of
HCC. No studies exist exploring such a difference, and poor literature exists
overall in terms of effect of b-TACE. Consequently, the study requires attention. 
I suggest adding a further analysis with the intent to improve the quality of the
study. A multivariable logistic regression analysis should be added having as
event of interest the objective response at 9-12 months. The model should be
constructed using the b-TACE as a covariate and some other variables for
adjusting the model, like the dimension of the nodules, AFP, MELD, age and
sex. 
Page 5, line 11: these is a typo. "All TACE was indications were discussed…"
was must be removed. 
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