[Tumor-targeted chemotherapy with lipid contrast medium and macro molecular anticancer agents theoretical considerations and clinical outcome]

Abstract

Theoretical considerations for tumor-selective chemotherapy are described which based on the unique character of the tumor neovasculature. Namely, most solid tumors possess four different unique features: hypervasculature, enhanced permeability even to macromolecules, architectural differences, and lack of the lymphatic recovery system. Lipid or lipid contrast medium and macromolecular anticancer agents using prototype drug smancs can be utilized for cancer-selective targeting based on the above four features. Selective targeting with lipid contrast medium with smancs has offered two clinical benefits; definite and pronounced antitumor effect and diagnostic value. These effects can be primarily attributed to the tumor-selective accumulation of the agent, i.e., more than 1,000 times greater in the tumor than in the plasma. As a consequence very few side effects are observed clinically. Primary or secondary hepatoma and lung cancer showed size reduction in more than 90 % of treated patients. Very few side effects such as hematosuppression or inhibited liver function were observed in these cases. Prolongation of life-span was marked in the patients. The above results indicate a new future direction for the development of the tumor-selective chemotherapy.