Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy with epirubicin hydrochloride, mitomycin C-iohexol-Lipiodol emulsion (EMILE) for hepatocellular carcinoma.

The efficacy of transcatheter arterial Lipiodol chemoembolization (TALCE) using epirubicin hydrochloride, mitomycin C-iohexol-Lipiodol emulsion (EMILE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was assessed retrospectively. EMILE was confirmed to have characteristics of fair dispersibility, stability, and slow drug release in vitro prior to clinical administration. TALCE without EMILE (simple infusion of anticancer drugs and Lipiodol) and with EMILE were preoperatively performed in two groups of candidates for hepatectomy, consisting of 17 patients each (non-EMILE and EMILE groups). Mean percentages of Lipiodol retention area to tumor area on computed tomographic (CT) scan following TALCE were 46.8 +/- 38.4% and 91.5 +/- 13.2% (mean +/- SD), respectively (P = 0.0005). Mean percentages of necrotic area to tumor area determined on histologic study of specimens were 42.9 +/- 43.8% and 63.2 +/- 44.0%, respectively (NS). In conclusion, TALCE with EMILE brought about longer retention of Lipiodol in HCC; however, gelatin sponge cubes and a higher dose of epirubicin hydrochloride were more significantly related to tumor necrosis than treatment with EMILE.