[Principle and therapeutic effect of lipophilic anticancer agent [SMANCS/lipiodol]: selective targeting with oily contrast medium].

Lipiodol, an oily contrast medium, is utilized to deliver the anticancer agent SMANCS to the target tumor in which the tumor selective delivery of 2,500 fold more than plasma was confirmed with prolonged retention in the tumor tissue. This unique tumor targeting is accomplished by the arterial injection of the oily formulation of the drug. The method utilizes unique vascular properties of tumor tissue. SMANCS is a derivative of neocarzinostatin conjugated with copolymer of styrene and maleic acid. It has much propronounced lipophilicity, stability against various harsh environments and exerts a potent cytotoxicity. Therapeutic effect of the drug to unresectable primary hepatoma is much better than the conventional method. For Child A category patients with intrahepatic metastasis in no more than three area, a 3 yr survival rate is more than 87%. When the Child's A and B are combined with no distant metastasis, 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates are 87%, 50%, and 35%, respectively. The side effect of this treatment [SMANCS/Lipiodol, i.p.] is minimal; transitory low grade fever is the commonest one (40-50% of cases) which can be controlled by a routine protocol. No liver or marrow toxicity was observed. Procedural limitations for the lung cancer etc. are discussed.