An Experimental Study on Mixing of Chemoembolic Material for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The chemoembolization with Lipiodol and doxorubicin hydrochloride is used in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. What condition is the ideal emulsion of Lipiodol and doxorubicin for excellent anticancer effect? METHOD AND MATERIALS Microscopic evaluation was performed on the emulsions, which were varied with different specific gravities of doxorubicin solutions, degrees in mixing of the emulsion, and amount of Lipiodol. RESULT: 1. Maximal amount of doxorubicin solution was contained in Lipiodol droplets and the release of doxorubicin from the droplets were delayed, when specific gravity of doxorubicin was equal to that of Lipiodol (SG, 1.28). 2. The optimal therapertic ratio of Lipiodol and doxorubicin was 32 at least, as in the emulsion less than 32, unmixed free forms of doxorubicin solution were increased. 3. The emulsion mixed by pumping 50--100 times had smaller Lipiodol droplets and contained larger amount of doxorubicin solution in the droplets than by pumping 20 times. CONCLUSION: We recommend the emulsion with specific gravity of doxorubicin equal to Lipiodol (SG. 1.28), the ratio of Lipiodol and doxorubicin closo to 32, and the mixture prepased with puming 50--100 times.