Drug Absorption and Calibration Properties
Longer Suspension time1,2
Steady Drug Elution1,2
Terumo’s Interventional Oncology Division introduces LifePearl™ Drug Elutable Microspheres, a precise answer to a challenge in transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE). LifePearl™ drug elutable microspheres are made from polyethylene glycol (PEG), specifically engineered for tumor supplying blood vessels embolization.
These microspheres can be loaded with various chemotherapeutic agents, including Doxorubicin, Irinotecan, Idarubicin, and Epirubicin, thus offering clinicians chemotherapeutic flexibility in cancer treatment.
Results from one of the largest multicentric cohorts of 580 unresectable HCC patients suggest that LifePearl™ Drug Elutable Microspheres achieve 60.1% complete response rate, a rate exceeding what was reported in previous studies3,4,5 – an especially promising finding because complete response (and partial response at 3 months) is a positive predictive indicator for overall survival.6
Additionally, median overall survival rates of 4 years (50.8 months [95% CI 44.7–NE]) was observed for treatment with LifePearl microspheres with Doxorubicin or Idarubicin.6
LifePearl™ Drug-Eluting Microspheres for are designed for TACE and bring the following advantages:
- Broad compatibility with multiple drug loading options7
- Excellent suspension characteristics1,2,8
- Tight calibration1,2,9
- Convenient syringe-based delivery system
LifePearl™ Drug Elutable Microspheres are engineered to actively absorb chemotherapy drugs into their matrix.
Typical loading capacities include:
- 37.5 mg Doxorubicin per 1 ml
- 5 mg Idarubicin per 1 ml
- 25 mg Epirubicin per 1 ml
- 50 mg Irinotecan per 1 ml
LifePearl™ Drug Elutable Microspheres have a tight calibration profile.
LifePearl™ Drug Elutable Microspheres offer longer suspension time compared to other drug-eluting microspheres, such as:
- DC Bead™ and HepaSphere™ when loaded with Doxorubicin1
- DC Bead™ and Tandem™ when loaded with Irinotecan2
Extended suspension time enables a smoother TACE procedure, reducing the need for interruptions to resuspend the microspheres.
Veloso et al. presented data from one of the largest multicentre studies involving unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients (n=580) treated with LifePearl™ Drug Elutable Microspheres6.
Highlights include:
- Median overall survival (OS) of 50.8 months over a 4-year period [95% CI 44.7–NE]
- 60.1% complete response rate, surpassing outcomes reported in prior studies3,4,5
STEP 1 : Drug preparation:
Use specified drug for Injection as received from the manufacturer.
STEP 2 : Syringe preparation
Stand the syringe vertically for approximately 10 minutes on the plunger to allow the microspheres to settle. Use a 5 micron filter needle to expel most of the packaging media (PBS), leaving 3ml total contents in the syringe.
NOTE: DO NOT compress the microspheres
STEP 3 : Aspirate drug into syringe
Transfer drug solution from the vial into the syringe using a transfer device or needle.
Moderately agitate syringe until contents are homogeneous (approximately 1 min).
STEP 4 : Load device
Allow microspheres to load for the duration of the loading period.
During the loading period, agitate the microspheres occasionally.
STEP 5: Final preparation steps
Expel supernatant:
Stand the syringe vertically for approximately 10 minutes on the plunger to allow the microspheres to settle. Use a 5 micron filter needle to expel the drug supernatant from the syringe.
DO NOT store loaded microspheres dry- please use sterile water to store the microspheres, in an event, the supernatant is expelled.
NOTE: DO NOT compress the microspheres. DO NOT store loaded microspheres dry- please use sterile water to store the microspheres, in an event, the supernatant is expelled.
STEP 6: Add non-ionic contrast & sterile water solution
To prepare the loaded syringe of embolic for injection, add a minimum of 20ml of 50:50 non-ionic contrast and sterile water solution.
NOTE: At this point, product may be stored under refrigerated conditions (2-8°C) for a maximum of 7 days prior to use.
STEP 7: Agitate and suspend prior to use
Use a 20ml syringe and a 3-way stopcock to expel all air and agitate contents between two syringes until homogeneous suspension is achieved (approximately 2-3 minutes).
NOTE: DO NOT introduce air into the system.
During the treatment procedure, the recommended solution delivery rate is 1ml per minute.
Downloads
References
Intended Purpose / Indications: LifePearl™ microspheres are indicated for the embolization of blood vessels supplying primary-hypervascular tumors or metastases in the liver.
Note: LifePearl™ microspheres can be loaded with chemotherapeutic drugs (Doxorubicin, Idarubicin, Epirubicin ans Irinotecan). When used for drug loading, drug loading should be done under a physician’s direction, choice and responsibility, based on type and dose of drug most beneficial to the patient. Lifepearl™ microspheres are not available for sale in all countries. This information is provided only in respect to markets where this product is approved or cleared. Please contact your Terumo local sales representative for more information. LifePearl™ microspheres are manufactured by MicroVention and exclusively distributed by Terumo Europe NV in EMEA region.
Manufacturer: MicroVention Europe SARL - 30 bis, rue du Vieil Abreuvoir - 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye - France - Tel: +33(0)1 39 21 77 46.
Distributor: Terumo Europe N.V. - Interleuvenlaan 40 - 3001 Leuven - Belgium -Tel: +32 16 38 12 11.
All brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by TERUMO CORPORATION, its affiliates, or unrelated third parties. ©2026 Terumo Corporation.
ⲤⲈ 0297
Didn't find your product?
Consult our products in our Product Index