Chemoembolization (CE) with carboplatin and doxorubicin for hepatocellular cancer (HCC): Introduction of a novel combination and preliminary results

4275 Background: CE results in tumor shrinkage and may improve survival in pts with HCC. CE using doxorubicin (Dox), cisplatin and mitomycin has shown good results. The mixture of these agents with lipiodol results in an unstable emulsion that rapidly precipitates into droplets and must be mixed vigorously before injection into the hepatic artery. Cisplatin is no longer available in powder form in the United States, and the reconstituted solution is available only at a concentration of 1mg/ml. Therefore, the use of cisplatin at doses reported in the literature results in large volumes of the emulsion that are difficult to administer in patients with underlying liver disease. Carboplatin (Carbo) is available in powder form, and its use for CE is supported by one study in the literature. Methods: We developed an emulsion using Carbo powder (300mg), Dox (30mg/m2 mixed in 10ml renograffin) and lipiodol (10ml). The emulsion showed minimal precipitation. The procedure involved superselective catheterization of ...