Pharmacokinetics and Histopathological Findings of Chemoembolization Using Cisplatin Powder Mixed with Degradable Starch Microspheres in a Rabbit Liver Tumor Model.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and histopathological findings of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using cisplatin powder mixed with degradable starch microspheres (DSM) (Cis/DSM-TACE) compared with cisplatin arterial infusion (Cis-AI). Eighteen rabbits with VX2 liver tumors were divided into two groups: Cis/DSM-TACE (n=9) and Cis-AI (n=9) groups. In the Cis/DSM-TACE group, a mixture of cisplatin powder and DSM was injected until stasis of hepatic arterial flow was achieved. In the Cis-AI group, cisplatin solution was infused. The platinum concentrations in VX2 tumors in the Cis/DSM-TACE group at 24 and 72h were significantly elevated compared with those in the Cis-AI group (P=.016 and .019, respectively). There were no significant differences in the platinum concentrations in plasma. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of several microspheres inside the tumors at 1h, which completely disappeared at 24h. Tumor cell apoptosis at 1h in the Cis/DSM-TACE group was more frequently observed compared with that in the Cis-AI group (P=.006). TACE using cisplatin powder mixed with DSM provides a higher drug concentration in tumors, thereby achieving stronger antitumor effects compared with arterial infusion of cisplatin solution.