Local chemotherapy with slowly-releasing anticancer drug-polymers for malignant brain tumors

Abstract

Malignant brain tumors are resistant to many treatments.This report presents the methodology and results of a clinical trial of local chemotherapy of malignant glioma based on slowly releasing anticancer drug-polymers made by our groups. These slowly releasing drug polymer composites were prepared by combining and mutually dispersing anticancer agents with classified monomers containing 10% polymetacrylic methyl acid; this compound was then frozen at − 70°C and exposed to 1 × 10 6 Rad cobalt 60 γ-rays. Thus we prepared a compound of polymers and anticancer agents (mitomycin, adriamycin, 5-Fu and ACNU). We administered locally to the malignant glioma with these polymers. The following techniques were employed for implanting these polymers: (1) implantation into the remaining tumor wall at the resection; (2) implantation into the tumor by the CT-guided stereotactic method. The polymers were implanted into tumors (120 cases) using a combination of radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy.