Antitumor effect of lipiodolized doxorubicin on VX2 carcinoma in rabbits

Transcatheter Arterial Chemotherapy Using Doxorubicin, Iodized Oil and Gelfoam Embolization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 54 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma three weeks after transcatheter arterial chemotherapy using iodized oil and doxorubicin with or without gelfoam embolization. Patients with iodized oil retention in the tumor greater than 50 per cent of tumor size survived longer than patients with retention of less than 50 per cent. Differences were also found within Okuda stages I and II, but they were significant only in Okuda stage I (p<0.0001). These results suggest a possible relationship between iodized oil retention and survival. In addition to Okuda stage, several factors affected iodized oil retention: tumor vascularity, tumor size, portal thrombosis and Gelfoam embolization. These factors may thus influence the prognosis after transcatheter arterial chemotherapy.

Iodized oil in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

When injected into the hepatic artery the contrast agent Lipiodol (iodized poppy seed oil) is selectively retained by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for a prolonged period of time. Liver computed tomography (CT) performed after Lipiodol angiography is more sensitive than ordinary CT at imaging HCC. Arterial administration of cytotoxic drugs and radioisotopes conjugated to Lipiodol has been shown to be reasonably safe in patients with irresectable HCC. These therapies, often combined with embolization, provide effective palliation, better tumour response and improved survival compared with other available treatments. Their use as a preoperative adjunct to surgical resection of HCC is controversial.

Selective effect of doxorubicin suspended in lipiodol on VX2 carcinoma in rabbits

When Lipiodol Ultra-Fluid (Lipiodol) was given through arteries feeding the tumor, this material was retained in the tumor. After mixing Lipiodol and doxorubicin (adriamycin; ADR), the effect of this antitumor agent on VX2 carcinoma inoculated into the hindlimb in 57 rabbits was investigated. Size of the tumor remarkably decreased in the rabbits treated with ADR 2 mg/kg suspended in Lipiodol and given through the femoral artery. Intraarterial injection of ADR 2 mg/kg alone led to a transient decrease in size of the tumor, but there was a regrowth. The result was comparable to a finding in a group in which half the dose of ADR (1 mg/kg) suspended in Lipiodol was given intraarterially. When ADR 2 mg/kg mixed with Lipiodol was injected directly into the tumor, growth of the tumor was not completely inhibited. Lipiodolized ADR has a prominent antitumor effect, and Lipiodol has the potential to be applied as a carrier of anticancer drugs.