J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2021, Vol. 63: 106-114.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2019.12.029

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Inherently radiopaque polyurethane beads as potential multifunctional embolic agent in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy

Wenhuan Wanga, Lin Sangb,*(), Yiping Zhaoc,*(), Zhiyong Weia,*(), Min Qid, Yang Lia   

  1. aState Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Engineering, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
    bSchool of Automotive Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
    cDepartment of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China d School of Material Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China

Abstract:

The aim of the current study is to report an inherently radiopaque drug-eluted beads (DEBs) as promising embolic materials for TACE techniques. Firstly, the synthesized radiopaque iodinated polycaprolactone-polyurethanes (I-PCLUs) are synthesized by chain-extending method by using 4, 4′-isopropylidinedi-(2, 6-diiodophenol) (IBPA) as the radiopacifying agent. Then, doxorubicin (Dox) is introduced as a chemotherapeutic agent into I-PCLU beads via a double emulsification (W/O/W) method. The drug loading and controlled release behavior of two ratios of I-PCLU/Dox are found to be dependent upon the internal porous microstructure, and the radiopacity is well-retained after four weeks drug release. Besides, the I-PCLU/Dox beads exhibit positive in vitro anti-tumor effect. The in vivo intramuscular implantation and liver embolization results demonstrate that I-PCLU beads have good histocompatibility, occlusion effect and X-ray traceability. Furthermore, the drug-loaded I-PCLU beads are performed into a VX2 rabbit hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model using a micro-catheter, form embolization of hepatic arteries and inhibit the tumor growth after one week post-injection. Hence, this polymeric system provides a potential radiopaque chemoembolization candidate for HCC and other cancer therapies, which could bring opportunities to the next generation of multifunctional embolic agents.

Key words: Poly(lactic acid)-polyurethane, Radiopacity, Embolization, Drug delivery