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Objective: We aimed to evaluate to what extent the results of registered randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are publicly available.Methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and primary registries for RCTs assessing TACE for treating HCC, registered between January 2008 and August 2018, that had exceeded their completion date by more than 1 year. We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar for a publication as well as the registry for results. The main outcomes were the availability of results, and the time to the first availability of results (i.e., posted on the registry or published). Secondary outcomes were the proportion of results available at 12 and 36 months after completion.Results: Among 67 identified RCTs, including a total target number to 11,599 participants, 26 had publicly available results (39%; i.e., 42% of total target number of participants). Results of 25 RCTs (37%) were published, with only 3 having results posted on the registry and 2 with both published and posted results. The median (Q1-Q3) time from completion to the first public availability of results was 18 months (11-29). The cumulative percentages of RCTs with results available were 10% (95% CI, 3-17%) and 29% (95% CI, 17-39%) at 12 and 36 months, respectively, after completion.Conclusions: Despite the ethical commitments and societal expectations for disclosure of results, the availability of results of RCTs on TACE for treating HCC is very limited.Key Points: • Underreporting of trial results is a major cause of wasted medical research since inaccessible research results fail to help both patients and clinicians. • Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the most common treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has called for considerable research efforts. • Yet, almost two-thirds of randomized controlled trials assessing TACE for treating HCC did not yield any public results, either on the registry platform or in scientific journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We tested whether complementary use of the somatostatin analogue pasireotide would augment efficacy of aspiration sclerotherapy of hepatic cysts.Methods: We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients who underwent aspiration sclerotherapy of a large (>5 cm) symptomatic hepatic cyst. Patients were randomized to either intramuscular injections of pasireotide 60 mg long-acting release (n = 17) or placebo (sodium chloride 0.9 %, n = 17). Injections were administered 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after aspiration sclerotherapy. The primary endpoint was proportional cyst diameter reduction (%) from baseline to 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included long-term cyst reduction at 26 weeks, patient-reported outcomes including the polycystic liver disease-questionnaire (PLD-Q) and safety.Results: Thirty-four patients (32 females; 53.6 ± 7.8 years) were randomized between pasireotide or placebo. Pasireotide did not improve efficacy of aspiration sclerotherapy at 6 weeks compared to controls (23.6 % [IQR 12.6-30.0] vs. 21.8 % [9.6-31.8]; p = 0.96). Long-term cyst diameter reduction was similar in both groups (49.1 % [27.0-73.6] and 45.6 % [29.6-59.6]; p = 0.90). Mean PLD-Q scores improved significantly in both groups (p < 0.01) without differences between arms (p = 0.92).Conclusions: In patients with large symptomatic hepatic cysts, complementary pasireotide to aspiration sclerotherapy did not improve cyst reduction or clinical response.Key Points: • Complementary pasireotide treatment does not improve efficacy of aspiration sclerotherapy. • Cyst fluid reaccumulation after aspiration sclerotherapy is a transient phenomenon. • Aspiration sclerotherapy strongly reduces symptoms and normalizes quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]