Shape Self-Adaptive Liquid Embolic Agent for Ultrafast and Durable Vascular Embolization.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Vascular Surgery
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Minimally invasive embolization reduces vascular injury mortality but faces challenges with recanalization and thrombosis.
• Current liquid embolic agents like Lipiodol exhibit poor adhesion and hydrophobicity, limiting their efficacy.
• There is a need for advanced embolic agents that provide rapid, durable occlusion and improved biocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a shape self-adaptive liquid embolic agent with enhanced adhesion and mechanical properties.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the novel agent for ultrafast and durable vascular embolization.
• To explore its potential application in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for tumor treatment.

Main Methods:

• A novel liquid embolic agent, PAA-LDH@PEG200, was synthesized by combining poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), magnesium-aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH), and poly(ethylene glycol)200 (PEG200).
• The agent's rapid hydrogel formation upon contact with blood was investigated.
• In vitro and in vivo embolization experiments were conducted to assess efficacy, durability, and potential for drug coupling.

Main Results:

• The PAA-LDH@PEG200 agent rapidly formed an adhesive, mechanically strong hydrogel within 5 seconds, enabling ultrafast and durable embolization.
• The agent demonstrated complete embolic capacity without recanalization for 28 days in vivo.
• The PAA-LDH@PEG200 showed potential for drug coupling in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), with no tumor recurrence for 18 days.

Conclusions:

• The developed shape self-adaptive liquid embolic agent, PAA-LDH@PEG200, offers significant improvements over existing agents.
• It provides ultrafast, durable vascular embolization with reduced risk of recanalization.
• Its potential as a platform for TACE presents a promising avenue for cancer treatment.