STUDY ON HEPATIC-ARTERY CHEMOEMBOLIZATION USING TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVELIPOSOME OR LIPIODOL EMULSION

As a novel method for the medical application of Liposomes, we have tr ied hepatic artery chemoembolization using temperature-sensitive lipos omes with hyperthermia for the treatment of hepatic tumors. In this st udy, the effect of temperature-sensitive liposomes was compared with t hat of Lipiodol emulsion, which has been used clinically. The temperat ure-sensitive liposomes, consisting of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine or Lipiodol emulsions entrapping doxorubicin, were administered into t he hepatic artery of hepatic tumor-bearing rats ria a cannula. Doxorub icin administered in a liposomal form showed a high accumulative prope rty toward tumors, with heating, while that in the emulsion form showe d a slow release property toward tumors. Not only was tumor growth inh ibited, but also, an actual diminishing of the tumor was observed in e ach form. Side effects were also examined: an abnormal rise in GPT, or necrosis of the normal tissues in liver, which was often observed in hepatic artery chemoembolization using Lipiodol emulsion, was remarkab ly reduced in the liposomal chemoembolization.