[A newly devised chemo-embolic agent, G. T. XIII-ADM].

ABSTRACT

In order to bring about ideal chemotherapy, targeting, topical maintenance, sustained release and no side effects of the anticancer agent are essential. Adriamycin (ADM) was immobilized on absorbable gelatin material (G) together with thrombin (T) and factor XIII (XIII) to form such an agent, "G . T . XIII-ADM". The material was applied as an embolic agent in experimental transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization (TACE) in rabbits with VX2-carcinoma. Response rate of the tumor (CR + PR) was 75% for "G . T . XIII-ADM", and 28.6% for intra-arterial infusion (IA) of ADM. The ADM was maintained for a long period both in the tumors and the metastatic lymph nodes, in the animals given the chemo-embolic agent. The materials were then clinically prescribed as an embolic agent in preoperative TACE for patients with locally advanced breast cancer. The oncolytic effects obtained with the "G . T . XIII-ADM" were remarkably favorable and the side effects were almost nil. These positive data suggest that "G . T . XIII-ADM" has great potential as a new approach to cancer chemotherapy.