No abstract

Drug-eluting beads (DEBs) may become a standard of care in the treatment of unresectable liver cancers. DEBs have a significant advantage by offering simultaneous embolisation, and sustained release of antineoplastic agents in a controlled manner, resulting in a localisation of the drug in the targeted tumour, while minimising its systemic exposure. This article reviews current treatment options for liver cancer and concentrates on the benefits of DEBs for patients with unresectable liver cancer. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest smaller microspheres and extended release characteristics as key properties that will enable DEB device technologies to become a standard of care for unresectable liver cancer. A new, tightly size-calibrated DEB ≤100 μm, Embozene TANDEM™, was designed to meet these requirements.