New Lipiodol Formulation for Treating Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Transarterial Chemoimmunoembolization

NU 2021-148

INVENTORS

Dong Hyun Kim*

Heegon Kim

SHORT DESCRIPTION

A new Lipiodol formulation designed to improve the efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization in combination with immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard of treatment for patients with intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and Lipiodol emulsions are commonly used as both an embolic agent and drug delivery system. While the combination of TACE with immunotherapy is being explored, significant challenges remain due to the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment and the systemic toxicity caused by Lipiodol leakage. Therefore, to improve the antitumor response in HCC treated with TACE, there is an urgent need to develop an embolic formulation with improved stability that minimizes systemic leakage and safely incorporates immunotherapy agents.

ABSTRACT

Northwestern Researchers have developed a new Lipiodol formulation by integrating the FDA-approved surfactant copolymer, Pluronic F-127. This combination significantly enhanced emulsion stability and increased viscosity by 3,600-fold compared to Lipiodol alone at physiological temperatures. In an HCC rat model, Dr. Kim’s lab demonstrated that transarterial embolization using the new formulation enhanced local retention of chemotherapy drugs while reducing systemic exposure, thereby improving the safety and efficacy of TACE, thereby improving the safety and efficacy of TACE. More importantly, immuno-boosting agents can be incorporated in the formulation and delivered locally to the tumor, activating both innate and adaptive anti-cancer immune responses. Leveraging both TACE and immunomodulatory therapy, this approach—termed transcatheter arterial chemo-immuno-embolization (TACIE)—shows promise as ag procedure for inducing tumor regression with an improved safety profile.

APPLICATIONS