Albumin microspheres for intra-arterial tumour targeting. I. Pharmaceutical aspects

Abstract

Microspheres intended for intra-arterial targeting of cytotoxic agents have been prepared from human serum albumin using a water-in-oil emulsion technique with chemical cross-linking of the protein. The manufacturing variables affecting microsphere size, size distribution and stability have been examined as well as the phenomenon of swelling of freeze-dried microspheres in saline. In addition, the surface characteristics of the microspheres have been studied using microelectrophoresis and scanning electron microscopy.