Lipiodol Ultra-Fluide Mechanism of Action

Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Non-Water Soluble Contrast Agents. ATC Code: V08D01 (V: Other).
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Used in Trans-Arterial Chemo-Embolisation by selective intra-arterial hepatic injection, LIPIODOL ULTRA-FLUIDE allows, as an oily contrast agent, the visualisation and control of the procedure thanks to its opacifying properties. As a vehicle, it carried and elutes anticancer drugs into hepatocellular carcinoma nodule and, as a transient embolic agent, it contributes to the vascular embolisation induced during the procedure.
As a selective intra-arterial hepatic injection procedure, Trans-Arterial Chemo-Embolisation combines the effect of a loco-regional targeted anticancer drug with the effect of an ischemic necrosis induced by dual arterio-portal embolisation. LIPIODOL ULTRA-FLUIDE's opacifying properties and tropism for hepatic tumours continues for several months, so post procedure imaging can be performed for an effective patient follow-up.
Pharmacokinetics: After Lymphatic Injection: LIPIODOL ULTRA-FLUIDE is released into the blood, taken up by the liver and lungs where the oily droplets are degraded in the pulmonary alveoli, spleen and adipose tissue.
After being taken up by the tissues and storage organs, reabsorption of Lipiodol occurs over a period lasting from a few days to several months or years. This is continous and regular and the presence of iodine in the urine can be detected as long as contrast material is visible on the images.
After Selective Intra-Arterial Injection: The iodine is eliminated mainly in the urine. After selective inra-arterial injection into the hepatic artery for Trans-Arterial Chemo-Embolisation of hepatocellular carcinoma, LIPIODOL ULTRA-FLUIDE is significantly more concentrated in the tumour than in the healthy liver tissue.
Toxicology: Preclinical Safety Data: Preclinical data from conventional studies on pharmacological safety, single- and repeated-dose toxicoloy, genotoxicity and reproductive and developmental functions showed no particular risks for human subjects.