Model simulation and experimental validation of intratumoral chemotherapy using multiple polymer implants

Brent D. Weinberg, Ravi B. Patel, Hanping Wu, Elvin Blanco, Carlton C. Barnett, Agata A. Exner, Gerald M. Saidel, Jinming Gao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation has emerged as a minimally invasive option for liver cancer treatment, but local tumor recurrence is common. To eliminate residual tumor cells in the ablated tumor, biodegradable polymer millirods have been designed for local drug (e.g., doxorubicin) delivery. A limitation of this method has been the extent of drug penetration into the tumor (<5 mm), especially in the peripheral tumor rim where thermal ablation is less effective. To provide drug concentration above the therapeutic level as needed throughout a large tumor, implant strategies with multiple millirods were devised using a computational model. This dynamic, 3-D mass balance model of drug distribution in tissue was used to simulate the consequences of various numbers of implants in different locations. Experimental testing of model predictions was performed in a rabbit VX2 carcinoma model. This study demonstrates the value of multiple implants to provide therapeutic drug levels in large ablated tumors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1039-1049
Number of pages11
JournalMedical and Biological Engineering and Computing
Volume46
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biodegradable implant
  • Drug transport simulation
  • Liver cancer
  • Mathematical model
  • Radiofrequency(RF) ablation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Computer Science Applications

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