Progress in research and application of PLGA embolic microspheres.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was an important method in the treatment of solid cancers and the effectiveness of such treatment depends on the nature of embolic agent. Due to the biocompatibility, controllable degradation rate, and both hydrophobicity-hydrophilicity, researches of application on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) in medical practice has been ongoing for more than 40 years. We have seen many benefits for patients in recent years. There were five different methods of preparing micrometer-scale microspheres, and three kinds of PLGA microspheres have been subjected to experimental research or used in clinical applications, namely blank microspheres, drug-loaded microspheres, and radioactive microspheres. Hereby, we reviewed the production and clinical and experimental applications of PLGA microspheres in practice.