title: Novel polymeric microspheres containing norcantharidin for chemoembolization.
abstract: Chemoembolization has been found to be a potentially effective method of treating certain types of cancer. It involves arterial embolization of a tumor, in combination with simultaneous or subsequent local delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, PLGA-alginate microspheres were evaluated for their potential application in chemoembolization. Norcantharidin, which possesses anti-tumor properties, was used to investigate the application of drug-containing microspheres for chemoembolization. The release profiles of alginate, PLGA and PLGA-alginate microspheres were markedly different in phosphate buffered saline, with the composite microspheres showing the most appropriate release rate for chemoembolization. Burst effect decreased while particle size increased with increasing proportion of alginate in the PLGA-alginate microspheres. PLGA-alginate microspheres containing norcantharidin were effective in destroying the cancer cells used in this study. The growth inhibitory effect was concentration and time dependent. These microspheres also exhibited excellent embolization and therapeutic effects on rats with transplanted tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Xiaohua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wan Sia
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Heng
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lai Wah
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002279:Carcinoma 256, Walker / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D010316:Particle Size; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012995:Solubility; D013534:Survival
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C069741:norcantharidin