Development and physicochemical characterization of a biodegradable microspheres formulation loaded with samarium-153 and doxorubicin for chemo-radioembolization of liver tumours.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and transarterial radioembolization (TARE) are promising treatments for unresectable liver tumours. Some recent studies suggested that combining TACE and TARE in one treatment course might improve treatment efficacy through synergistic cytotoxicity effects. Nonetheless, current formulations do not facilitate a combination of chemo- and radio-embolic agents in one delivery system.

Facile Preparation of Samarium Carbonate-Polymethacrylate Microspheres as a Neutron-Activatable Radioembolic Agent for Hepatic Radioembolization.

Radioembolization shows great potential as a treatment for intermediate- and advanced-stage liver cancer. However, the choices of radioembolic agents are currently limited, and hence the treatment is relatively costly compared to other approaches. In this study, a facile preparation method was developed to produce samarium carbonate-polymethacrylate [Sm(CO)-PMA] microspheres as neutron activatable radioembolic microspheres for hepatic radioembolization.

Evaluation of Therapeutic Efficacy and Imaging Capabilities of SmO-Loaded Polystyrene Microspheres for Intra-Tumoural Radionuclide Therapy of Liver Cancer Using Sprague-Dawley Rat Model.

Neutron-activated samarium-153-oxide-loaded polystyrene ([Sm]SmO-PS) microspheres has been developed in previous study as a potential theranostic agent for hepatic radioembolization. In this study, the therapeutic efficacy and diagnostic imaging capabilities of the formulation was assessed using liver cancer Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model. Twelve male SD rats (150-200 g) that implanted with N1-S1 hepatoma cell line orthotopically were divided into two groups (study versus control) to monitor the tumour growth along 60 days of treatment.

Development of neutron-activated samarium-153-loaded polystyrene microspheres as a potential theranostic agent for hepatic radioembolization.

Purpose: Hepatic radioembolization is an effective minimally invasive treatment for primary and metastatic liver cancers. Yttrium-90 [90Y]-labelled resin or glass beads are typically used as the radioembolic agent for this treatment; however, these are not readily available in many countries. In this study, novel samarium-153 oxide-loaded polystyrene ([153Sm]Sm2O3-PS) microspheres were developed as a potential alternative to 90Y microspheres for hepatic radioembolization.

Laser-heated needle for biopsy tract ablation: In vivo study of rabbit liver biopsy.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of a newly-developed laser-heated core biopsy needle in the thermal ablation of biopsy tract to reduce hemorrhage after biopsy using in vivo rabbit's liver model.

Materials And Methods: Five male New Zealand White rabbits weighed between 1.5 and 4.

Comparison of deep and moderate neuromuscular blockade in microwave ablation of liver tumours: a randomized-controlled clinical trial.

Microwave ablation (MWA) is gaining popularity for the treatment of small primary hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic lesions especially if patients are not candidates for surgical resection. Deep neuromuscular blockade (DMB) is perceived to improve surgical working conditions compared to moderate neuromuscular blockade (MMB) but no studies have examined the same benefits in MWA of liver tumours. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of DMB and MMB in MWA of liver tumours in terms of liver excursion, performance scores by the interventional radiologists and patients, requirements of additional muscle relaxants and complications.

Neutron-activated biodegradable samarium-153 acetylacetonate-poly-L-lactic acid microspheres for intraarterial radioembolization of hepatic tumors.

Background: Liver cancer is the 6 most common cancer in the world and the 4 most common death from cancer worldwide. Hepatic radioembolization is a minimally invasive treatment involving intraarterial administration of radioembolic microspheres.

Aim: To develop a neutron-activated, biodegradable and theranostics samarium-153 acetylacetonate (SmAcAc)-poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) microsphere for intraarterial radioembolization of hepatic tumors.

Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation of Neutron-Activated, Theranostic Samarium-153-Labeled Microspheres for Transarterial Radioembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Liver Metastasis.

Introduction: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) has been proven as an effective treatment for unresectable liver tumor. In this study, neutron activated, Sm-labeled microspheres were developed as an alternative to Y-labeled microspheres for hepatic radioembolization. Sm has a theranostic advantage as it emits both therapeutic beta and diagnostic gamma radiations simultaneously, in comparison to the pure beta emitter, Y.

Experimental assessment on feasibility of computed tomography-based thermometry for radiofrequency ablation on tissue equivalent polyacrylamide phantom.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of various computed tomography (CT) acquisition parameters and metal artifacts on CT number measurement for CT thermometry during CT-guided thermal ablation. The effects of tube voltage (100-140 kVp), tube current (20-250 mAs), pitch (0.6-1.

Conditioned media derived from mesenchymal stem cell cultures: The next generation for regenerative medicine.

Recent studies suggest that the main driving force behind the therapeutic activity observed in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the paracrine factors secreted by these cells. These biomolecules also trigger antiapoptotic events to prevent further degeneration of the diseased organ through paracrine signalling mechanisms. In comparison with the normal physiological conditions, an increased paracrine gradient is observed within the peripheral system of diseased organs that enhances the migration of tissue-specific MSCs towards the site of infection or injury to promote healing.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for advanced liver cirrhosis: A case report.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplant may offer an alternative to liver transplantation in patients with end-stage liver disease. However, its efficacy remains uncertain. MSC was performed on a 50-year-old male with decompensated (Child-Turcotte-Pugh grade C) alcoholic liver cirrhosis due to an absence of donors for adult-deceased and living-related liver transplantation.

Effect of Aging on NK Cell Population and Their Proliferation at Ex Vivo Culture Condition.

Age-associated changes in natural killer (NK) cell population, phenotype, and functions are directly attributed to the risk of several diseases and infections. It is predicted to be the major cause of the increase in mortality. Based on the surface density of CD56, NK cells are subdivided into two types, such as CD56 and CD56 cells, which represent cytokine production and cytotoxicity.

Automated diagnosis of focal liver lesions using bidirectional empirical mode decomposition features.

Liver is the heaviest internal organ of the human body and performs many vital functions. Prolonged cirrhosis and fatty liver disease may lead to the formation of benign or malignant lesions in this organ, and an early and reliable evaluation of these conditions can improve treatment outcomes. Ultrasound imaging is a safe, non-invasive, and cost-effective way of diagnosing liver lesions.

Phase III HEAT Study Adding Lyso-Thermosensitive Liposomal Doxorubicin to Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Lesions.

Lyso-thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin (LTLD) consists of doxorubicin contained within a heat-sensitive liposome. When heated to ≥40°C, LTLD locally releases a high concentration of doxorubicin. We aimed to determine whether adding LTLD improves the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions with a maximum diameter () of 3 to 7 cm.

Systematic investigation on the validity of partition model dosimetry for Y radioembolization using Monte Carlo simulation.

We aimed to investigate the validity of the partition model (PM) in estimating the absorbed doses to liver tumour ([Formula: see text]), normal liver tissue ([Formula: see text]) and lungs ([Formula: see text]), when cross-fire irradiations between these compartments are being considered. MIRD-5 phantom incorporated with various treatment parameters, i.e.

Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound for treatment of bone tumors.

Aims: Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a new modality in the management of primary and secondary bone tumors. We aimed to investigate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of using MRgFUS for the treatment of (1) benign bone tumors with the intent of complete tumor ablation, (2) primary malignant bone tumors with the intent to assess its effectiveness in causing tumor necrosis, and (3) metastatic bone disease with the intent of pain relief.

Method: Twenty-four patients with benign bone tumors, primary malignant bone tumors, and metastatic bone disease were treated with one session of MRgFUS.

Optimal approach for complete liver tumor ablation using radiofrequency ablation: a simulation study.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) electrode trajectory on complete tumor ablation using computational simulation.

Material And Methods: The RFA of a spherical tumor of 2.0 cm diameter along with 0.

Low-melting-point polymeric nanoshells for thermal-triggered drug release under hyperthermia condition.

Purpose: The aim of this paper was to synthesise core-shell nanostructures comprised of mesoporous silica core and a low melting-point polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanoshell with a sharp gel-liquid phase transition for rapid drug release at hyperthermia temperature range.

Materials And Methods: The phase transition behaviours of PEGs with molecular weights of 1000, 1500, and 2000 Da were analysed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine the optimal formulation with phase transition in the hyperthermia range. The 'graft-to' method was employed to synthesise core-shell nanostructures using the selected PEG formulation.

Neutron Activated Samarium-153 Microparticles for Transarterial Radioembolization of Liver Tumour with Post-Procedure Imaging Capabilities.

Introduction: Samarium-153 (153Sm) styrene divinylbenzene microparticles were developed as a surrogate for Yttrium-90 (90Y) microspheres in liver radioembolization therapy. Unlike the pure beta emitter 90Y, 153Sm possess both therapeutic beta and diagnostic gamma radiations, making it possible for post-procedure imaging following therapy.

Methods: The microparticles were prepared using commercially available cation exchange resin, Amberlite IR-120 H+ (620-830 μm), which were reduced to 20-40 μm via ball mill grinding and sieve separation.

Triggering Mechanisms of Thermosensitive Nanoparticles Under Hyperthermia Condition.

Nanoparticle-based hyperthermia is an effective therapeutic approach that allows time- and site-specific treatment with minimized off-site effects. The recent advances in materials science have led to design a diversity of thermosensitive nanostructures that exhibit different mechanisms of thermal response to the external stimuli. This article aims to provide an extensive review of the various triggering mechanisms in the nanostructures used as adjuvants to hyperthermia modalities.

A new mechanism of thermal sensitivity for rapid drug release and low systemic toxicity in hyperthermia and thermal ablation temperature ranges.

Purpose: The aim of this paper was to introduce a new mechanism of thermal sensitivity in nanocarriers that results in a relatively low drug release at physiological temperature and rapid release of the encapsulated drug at hyperthermia and thermal ablation temperature range (40-60 °C).

Materials And Methods: The nanocarriers were synthesised by coating mesoporous silica nanoparticles with a thin layer of polyacrylamide. The low gelation temperature of the protective shell provides preferred routes for drug diffusion when the nanocarriers are heated within the hyperthermia temperature range.

Liver cancer in Malaysia: epidemiology and clinical presentation in a multiracial Asian population.

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important cancer in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics and clinical presentations of patients in a multiracial population consisting of three major Asian races: Malays, Chinese and Indians.

Methods: Consecutive patients with HCC were prospectively studied from 2006 to 2009.

Internal radiation dosimetry of orally administered radiotracers for the assessment of gastrointestinal motility.

Radionuclide imaging using (111)In, (99m)Tc and (153)Sm is commonly undertaken for the clinical investigation of gastric emptying, intestinal motility and whole gut transit. However the documented evidence concerning internal radiation dosimetry for such studies is not readily available. This communication documents the internal radiation dosimetry for whole gastrointestinal transit studies using (111)In, (99m)Tc and (153)Sm labeled formulations.

Robotic-assisted thermal ablation of liver tumours.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the technical success, radiation dose, safety and performance level of liver thermal ablation using a computed tomography (CT)-guided robotic positioning system.

Methods: Radiofrequency and microwave ablation of liver tumours were performed on 20 patients (40 lesions) with the assistance of a CT-guided robotic positioning system. The accuracy of probe placement, number of readjustments and total radiation dose to each patient were recorded.

Fluoroscopy assisted minimally invasive transplantation of allogenic mesenchymal stromal cells embedded in HyStem reduces the progression of nucleus pulposus degeneration in the damaged ntervertebral [corrected] disc: a preliminary study in rabbits.

This study was conducted to develop a technique for minimally invasive and accurate delivery of stem cells to augment nucleus pulposus (NP) in damaged intervertebral discs (IVD). IVD damage was created in noncontiguous discs at L4-L5 level; rabbits (N = 12) were randomly divided into three groups: group I treated with MSCs in HyStem hydrogel, group II treated with HyStem alone, and group III received no intervention. MSCs and hydrogel were administered to the damaged disc under guidance of fluoroscopy.