Clinical Trials Begin Using Radiopaque Microscopic Beads

The technique makes use of microscopic radiopaque beads loaded with a targeted anti-cancer drug called vandetanib, which are placed directly into the liver.

Primary investigator of the study, professor Ricky Sharma, at University College London, said, "The incidence and mortality rates for primary liver cancer continue to climb and it is vital that we explore new treatment approaches. This research is exciting because it is the first time we have been able to pre-load a targeted cancer drug on to an imageable bead, to deliver the targeted drug in high doses to the cancer and see exactly how well the beads reach the target we have defined. By refining the treatment using information from this clinical trial, we may be able to develop a liver-directed treatment as a superior alternative to the rather poorly tolerated drug treatments we currently offer patients with this type of cancer."

Related Links:
University College London Cancer Institute
BTG