[Intra-arterial injection of cisplatin suspension in Lipiodol (LPS) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma].

Cisplatin suspension in Lipiodol (LPS) was prepared for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by intra-hepatic arterial injection. In a rabbit liver cancer model, concentrations of cisplatin in tumor were more than 20 times higher than those in a nontumorous part of the liver at 5 min after LPS injection into the hepatic artery. Cisplatin at high concentrations was detected at 7 days after injection. The concentrations in other organs were lower except in the gall-bladder. In clinical trials for 71 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, partial response was observed in 33 cases (46.5%) and minor response in 20 cases (28.2%). The survival rate was 77% at 6 month and 55% at one year. Although fever, nausea, vomiting and epigastralgia were observed as side effects, these were temporary. Acute gastroduodenal mucosal lesions, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, delayed jaundice and hepatic encephalopathy were observed as complications and super selective cannulation was necessary for their prevention.