[Embolotherapy of hepatomas using ferromagnetic microspheres, its clinical evaluation and the prospect of its use as a vehicle in chemoembolo-hyperthermic therapy].
Ferromagnetic microembolization (FME) was applied to patients with hepatoma, using iron microspheres (30-50 mu), suspended in aqueous polysaccharide solution; dextran 40 (12%), sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose (2%) in saline solution. Hepatic arterial infusion of this agent was performed under external magnetic control to confine iron microspheres within the target organs. The therapeutic effect of this procedure on 44 patients with hepatoma was evaluated in relation to the stages of the disease, showing excellent, improved survival terms; survival rates calculated by Kaplan-Meier's method for patients with stage I to III hepatomas were 80% (1 year), 50% (2 years) and 30% (3 years). In order to extend the therapeutic effect of this procedure further, polysaccharide solution was also utilized as a carrier of anti-cancer agents. Serologic and histologic data in experimental animals showed evidence of prolonged release of Mitomycin from polysaccharide solution admixed, indicating its potential use as a method of chemo-embolization. In addition to this, we have also been developing the induction heating of the magnetic microspheres, introduced into the lesion by means of FME, to heat the lesion selectively. The procedure is still in the experimental phase. However, recent results strongly suggest the possibility of its clinical use. In conclusion, we consider FME to be one of the most reliable and potentially valuable methods for extending the capability of multidisciplinary treatment of hepatoma.
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000628:therapy*; D003911:Dextrans; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D007451:Iodamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D007501:Iron; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000628:therapy; D008280:Magnetics; D008863:Microspheres; D011817:Rabbits
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003911:Dextrans; D004338:Drug Combinations; C022596:ferropolysaccharide; D007451:Iodamide; D007501:Iron; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium