[Use of a lipid lymphographic agent, lipiodol, as a carrier of high molecular weight antitumor agent, smancs, for hepatocellular carcinoma].

Two advantages of the present therapeutic approach were described. Firstly, a selective deposition of lipiodol in tumor tissue was verified, thus more precise and accurate diagnosis by X-rays was possible either by CT or plain X-ray film. Secondly, pronounced accumulation of smancs in tumor tissue was observed, which established highly effective chemotherapy of unresectable hepatoma of 22 cases and 12 other cases based on (a) decrease in alpha-fetoprotein (86%), (b) tumor size (95%) and histology. Drug was given via the hepatic artery mostly 3-4 mg in 3-4 ml of lipiodol once every 3 to 4 weeks. Most patients have experienced a total dose of 6-8 mg in two cycles, but drug activity lasted more than 3 weeks. Neither hematosuppression nor anaphylaxis was observed. Major side effect was transient fever (38-39 degrees C) in about 50% of the cases which lasted no more than one week. Other minor side effect was abdominal pain during or after arterial infusion which lasted for about 20 min. Liver function was affected very slightly if any. Mild leukocytosis was observed in 65% of the patients.