| abstract |
A pharmaceutical composition for malignant tumour embolisation comprises a polymer and, associated with the polymer in a releasable form, a COX inhibitor, e.g. a non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen. The polymer is preferably-in particulate form, such as in the form of microspheres. A suitable polymer is a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol polymer formed by the copolymerisation of PVA macromer with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The composition provides a synergistic treatment for the symptoms of malignant tumours, leading to tumour necrosis or ischaemia, with anti-angiogenic effects, promotion of apoptosis, decrease in invasiveness of tumour cells and resultant tumour regression. |