[Pharmacological and clinical studies on lipiodol emulsion for hepatocellular carcinoma]

In an attempt to develop a selective long-acting chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, lipiodol emulsion (Lp-Em) was prepared using non-ionic surfactant, poloxamer-188. A pharmacokinetic study of Adriamycin (ADM) was carried out according to the paddle method, and concentrations of ADM were measured with spectrophotometer at wave length 475 nm. The half time of ADM levels in Lp-Em were longer than that in lipiodol urografin suspension. Histological findings of chemical hepatocarcinogenic rat after their administration showed Lp-Em, lipiodol and ADM accumulations in hepatocellular carcinoma lesion. Transcatheter arterial embolization with Lp-Em containing 40 mg of ADM was performed in 6 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. CT scan after treatments revealed high-density areas in the hepatocellular carcinoma lesion as the deposition of lipiodol. Serum concentrations of ADM were significantly lower in a patient treated with Lp-Em than with lipiodol urografin suspension. In conclusion, Lp-Em is thought to be useful for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.