Intra-arterial administration of heated albumin microspheres containing mitomycin C to rabbits with VX-2 tumor.

In an attempt to enhance antitumor effects, we prepared heated albumin microspheres containing mitomycin C (MMC). These MMC microspheres have an average diameter of 45 +/- 8 micrometers and contain about 5 per cent of MMC. The intra-arterial MMC microsphere treatment, for albino rabbits with implanted VX-2 tumor, increased remarkably the tissue MMC levels, compared to that with conventional MMC, and resulted in conspicuous antitumor efficacy. This approach to antitumor chemotherapy should be effective for selected patients with malignant tumor receiving a blood supply from an end-artery.