• Beyond simple occlusion: Achieving precision treatment guided by CT/MRI imaging.

• 3D vascular model tests confirm stable vessel occlusion without distal migration and effective anti-cancer activity.

• Research findings published in Materials Horizons (IF=10.7), a world-renowned journal in materials science.
  

The Catholic University of Korea (President Father Luke Jun-kyu Choi) announced that a research team led by Professor Kun Na from the Department of Biomedical Chemical Engineering has developed an "active embolic platform integrating image guidance and therapy." This platform is designed to maximize the efficiency of Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE), a key treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).

This study is significant as it presents a next-generation biomaterial that overcomes the limitations of existing embolic agents—which were previously restricted to simple vascular occlusion—by enabling real-time image tracking and localized treatment simultaneously.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a major malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide. For patients ineligible for surgery, TACE—a procedure that delivers anticancer drugs and blocks blood flow to cancer cells—is a vital treatment. However, traditional embolic agents struggle to reach deep into tumor vessels uniformly and lack real-time visibility during procedures.

To solve these issues, Professor Na’s team engineered a new embolic platform by introducing a carbon dot/iron complex into a biocompatible polymer-based hydrogel. The core of this injectable platform is the integration of:

1. Precision Embolization: Physically blocking blood vessels.

2. CT/MRI Image Tracking: Allowing real-time monitoring.

3. ROS-based Therapy: Inducing cancer cell death via Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).

Experimental results in a 3D vascular model using microcatheters confirmed that the hydrogel successfully achieved complete vascular occlusion. Notably, the material remained stable at the injection site without migrating to other areas (distal migration), proving its potential for precise targeted therapy with minimal side effects. These findings were recognized for their excellence and published in "Materials Horizons" (IF=10.7).

Professor Kun Na, the lead researcher, stated: "This achievement is meaningful as it evolves traditional embolic materials from simple occlusion tools into image-guided therapeutic agents, reducing the physical burden on patients. We plan to expand this platform into a next-generation biomaterial for interventional procedures and continue applied research in medical devices."

■ Figure Descriptions

(Figure 1) Conceptual Diagram of Injectable Hydrogel for TACE: Illustrates the process of creating the embolic platform by introducing carbon dot/iron complexes into biocompatible hydrogels. It shows how the hydrogel is delivered via catheter to induce occlusion while performing imaging and ROS therapy.

(Figure 2) Confirmation of CT and MRI Contrast Effects: Evaluations showed that the hydrogel maintains contrast properties comparable to conventional agents. In CT scans, Hounsfield Units (HU) increased with concentration. MRI scans showed stable, concentration-dependent signal changes, proving its utility as a dual-imaging embolic platform.

(Figure 3) Hydrogel Embolic Effect in 3D Vascular Models: Demonstrates successful occlusion in a simulated blood flow environment. The hydrogel remained stable at the target site (red circle) without distal migration, proving its feasibility for actual clinical interventional procedures.