[Effect of intra-arterial chemotherapy combined with degradable starch microspheres against liver cancer--a study by experimental VX2 liver tumor model].

We investigated the anticancer effect and pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin hydrochloride(ADR, 1 mg/kg) and mitomycin C (MMC, 0.2 mg/kg) given intra-arterially in combination with a temporary embolizing material, degradable starch microspheres (DSM, 5 mg/kg), to rabbits in which VX2 tumors had been implanted into the liver. The results revealed that the anticancer effect of ADR and MMC was potentiated by concomitant treatment with DSM in comparison to intra-arterial drug therapy alone. The tumor growth inhibition rate in both groups was about 87%. There was a tendency of higher intra-tumour ADR concentrations after ADR and DSM than after ADR alone. When we measured the serum levels of ADR and MMC over 45 min., it was indicated that exposure of the drugs to the systemic circulation was inhibited by the combination with DSM. In these experiments, GOT and GPT values increased temporarily after intra-arterial chemotherapy combined with DSM, but decreased gradually later to normal or close to the normal levels. These results indicate that intra-arterial chemotherapy combined with DSM causes a temporary blood flow blockade and the resulting regional retention of the cytotoxic agents, provides a more potent anticancer effect than drug therapy alone.