Bench-to-bedside development of multifunctional flexible embolic agents

Abstract

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been demonstrated to provide a survival benefit for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, conventional TACE still faces limitations associated with complications, side effects, unsatisfactory tumor responses, repeated treatment, and narrow indications. For further improvement of TACE, additional beneficial functions such as degradability, drug-loading and releasing properties, detectability, targetability, and multiple therapeutic modalities were introduced. The purpose here is to provide a comprehensive overview of current and emerging particulate embolization technology with respect to materials. Therefore, this review systematically identified and described typical features, various functions, and practical applications of recently emerging micro/nano materials as particulate embolic agents for TACE. Besides, new insights into the liquid metals-based multifunctional and flexible embolic agents were highlighted. The current development routes and future outlooks of these micro/nano embolic materials were also presented to promote advancement in the field.

Engineering polyvinyl alcohol microspheres with capability for use in photothermal/chemodynamic therapy for enhanced transarterial chemoembolization

“…, were optimized to improve their treatment. 6,7 For example, Sorafenib, the first-line drug for advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has been encapsulated within poly( d , l -lactide- co -glycolide) (PLG) microspheres to facilitate clinical translation, in which a series of studies have been conducted to investigate the efficacy of localized Sorafenib delivery. 8,9 However, the use of a single chemotherapy agent in microspheres often leads to the development of resistance, subsequently diminishing the effectiveness of TACE.…”