Definition

A synthetic microsphere formulation with arterial occlusive properties. Amilomer, a product produced by partially hydrolyzing starch and epichlorohydrin, contains degradable starch microspheres (DSM) with a diameter size of 45 micrometers that are readily degraded by amylase. When used in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) procedures, infusion leads to lodging of the microspheres in the precapillary vessels and, consequently, to the occlusion of the hepatic artery. Local occlusion of selected blood vessels in conjunction with intrahepatic chemotherapy administration, results in elevated intracellular hepatocyte drug concentrations and enhances localized cytotoxicity against hepatic tumor lesions.