Embolization Technique Improves Liver Cancer Treatment

A new study has concluded that the Micro-Bland embolization technique using color-advanced microspheres leads to better clinical outcomes in the treatment of liver cancer.

Researchers at the European Institute of Oncology (EIO, Rome, Italy) developed a technique to cut off the blood supply deep within the tumor bed of primary and metastatic liver tumors by using small, tightly calibrated microspheres, leading to effective tumor control and reduced recurrence of tumors, without the use of chemotherapy drugs. Because there are multiple arterial feeders to liver tumors, complete tumor death may be obtained only if the entire vascular network within and surrounding the tumor can be completely stopped; only then will it cause anoxia, cell death, and irreversible necrosis. The researchers concluded that at least two main principles must be carefully followed in order to obtain the best results for embolization; selecting the right vascular target, and using appropriate particle size to reach the small and deep vessels feeding the whole tumor. The researchers stressed that caution must be observed when using very small microspheres, in order to avoid major complications such as pulmonary embolism (PE). The study was published in the September/October 2009 issue of the journal Vascular Disease Management.

"Embolic particles should be size-calibrated with a small bandwidth in diameter variations because during administration, larger particles within the same vial or syringe may occlude micro-vessels more proximally and prevent a deeper penetration of the smaller ones,” concluded lead author professor Franco Orsi, M.D., Ph.D. "The dimension and shape of embolic particles seem to be the most important characteristics for this aim.”

The researchers used Embozene Microspheres, which consist of a hydrogel core and an exterior shell made from Polyzene-F, a proprietary anti-inflammatory and bacterial-resistant polymer. The microspheres are color-enhanced, with a different color for each size for increased procedural safety, efficiency, and visibility. The microspheres are available in 40 micrometers, 100 micrometers, 250 micrometers, 400 micrometers, 500 micrometers, 700 micrometers, and 900 micrometers sizes, in both 1 ml and 2 ml prefilled syringes and vials. The microspheres are precisely calibrated, and retain their shape after passing through a catheter, allowing them to stay in the delivery suspension for an extended period. The Embozene Color-Advanced microspheres are a product of CeloNova BioSciences (Newnan, GA, USA), and have been approved by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Community (CE Marking).

Related Links:
European Institute of Oncology
CeloNova BioSciences