AccScience Publishing / EJMO / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/EJMO025520542
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Lipiodol chemoembolization for colorectal cancer: An in vivo animal study and a preliminary clinical study

Jiajia Zhang1 ,  Yishu Ma1 ,  Meipan Yin1 ,  Chunyan Du2 ,  Weilong Chang3 ,  Chongqing Wei3 ,  Gang Wu1*
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1 Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
2 Laboratory Animal Center, School of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
3 Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
EJMO, 025520542 https://doi.org/10.36922/EJMO025520542
Received: 26 December 2025 | Revised: 20 January 2026 | Accepted: 26 January 2026 | Published online: 24 February 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the safety and effectiveness of Lipiodol chemoembolization (LCE) of the colorectal artery in an in vivo animal study and a retrospective clinical study in patients with advanced CRC.

Methods: The in vivo study was conducted on six Large White pigs undergoing LCE of the posterior mesenteric artery. Lipiodol distribution in the colorectal tract was observed using computed tomography. Colonoscopy and pathological examinations were used to evaluate mucosal reactions. For the preliminary clinical study, 12 patients with advanced CRC received LCE. Subsequently, procedure-related complications, adverse reactions, and tumor changes after iodized oil embolization were observed.

Results: Following chemoembolization, no severe complications (e.g., necrosis, perforation) were observed in pigs. Acute colorectal edema detected on post-operative day 1 resolved progressively, with complete clearance of Lipiodol by day 14. Pathological manifestations included mucosal and submucosal infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and other inflammatory cells, focal mild erythrocyte extravasation, local mucosal erosion, and superficial ulceration—all of which resolved completely on follow-up. No peri-procedural severe adverse events occurred in patients. Transient mild abdominal pain, mucinous discharge, and tenesmus were common but improved rapidly. The overall disease control rate and objective response rate were 91.6% and 83.3%, respectively. Disease stage and post-treatment systemic therapy were significant predictors of overall survival (OS). The median OS was 16.0 months (95% confidence interval: 14.51–25.65).

Conclusion: LCE of the colorectal artery appears to be technically feasible and safe. It may be considered a potential novel treatment option for patients with advanced CRC.

Graphical abstract
Keywords
Lipiodol
Chemoembolization
Colorectal cancer
Interventional radiology
Funding
This study was supported by the Training Project for Young and Middle-Aged Health Science and Technology Innovation Leaders in Henan Province in 2020 (YXKC2020018).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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Eurasian Journal of Medicine and Oncology, Electronic ISSN: 2587-196X Print ISSN: 2587-2400, Published by AccScience Publishing
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