Abstract: This invention relates to imageable polymers, particularly those comprising poly vinylalcohol and to methods for making them as well as to embolic microspheres comprising the polymers. The microspheres are imageable during embolization procedures and can be loaded with drugs or other therapeutic agents to provide an imageable drug delivery system.

Abstract: This invention concerns imageable, radiopaque embolic beads, which are particularly useful for monitoring embolization procedures. The beads comprise iodine containing compounds which are covalently incorporated into the polymer network of a preformed hydrogel bead. The beads are prepared by activating pre-formed hydrogel beads towards nucleophilic attack and then covalently attaching iodinated compounds into the polymer network. The radiopaque beads may be loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and used in methods of embolizing hyperplastic tissue or solid tumors.

Abstract: Radiopaque hydrogels, in particular radiopaque hydrogel microspheres, comprising a polymer having 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol groups acetalized with radiopaque species.

Abstract: This invention concerns imageable, radiopaque embolic beads, which are particularly useful for monitoring embolization procedures. The beads comprise iodine containing compounds which are covalently incorporated into the polymer network of a preformed hydrogel bead. The beads are prepared by activating pre-formed hydrogel beads towards nucleophilic attack and then covalently attaching iodinated compounds into the polymer network. The radiopaque beads may be loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and used in methods of embolizing hyperplastic tissue or solid tumors.

Abstract: Radiopaque hydrogels, in particular radiopaque hydrogel microspheres comprising a polymer having 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol groups acetalised with radiopaque species.

Abstract: This invention relates to imageable polymers, particularly those comprising poly vinylalcohol and to methods for making them as well as to embolic microspheres comprising the polymers.

Abstract: Radiopaque hydrogels, in particular radiopaque hydrogel microspheres, comprising a polymer having 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol groups acetalised with radiopaque species.

Abstract: This invention relates to imageable polymers, particularly those comprising poly vinylalcohol and to methods for making them as well as to embolic microspheres comprising the polymers. The microspheres are imageable during embolization procedures and can be loaded with drugs or other therapeutic agents to provide an imageable drug delivery system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a new polymerisation process in which ethylenically unsaturated monomers are polymerised by a living radical polymerisation process in the presence of an initiator and a catalyst. Polymers produced by this new process are also thought to be novel and may be used to derivatise biological molecules to improve their efficacy as therapeutic treatments. A preferred polymer is of formula The polymers are particularly suitable for derivatising proteins, such as interferon-?.

Abstract: This invention concerns imageable, radiopaque embolic beads, which are particularly useful for monitoring embolization procedures. The beads comprise iodine containing compounds which are covalently incorporated into the polymer network of a preformed hydrogel bead. The beads are prepared by activating pre-formed hydrogel beads towards nucleophilic attack and then covalently attaching iodinated compounds into the polymer network. The radiopaque beads may be loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and used in methods of embolizing hyperplastic tissue or solid tumors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a new polymerisation process in which ethylenically unsaturated monomers are polymerised by a living radical polymerisation process in the presence of an initiator and a catalyst. Polymers produced by this new process are also thought to be novel and may be used to derivatise biological molecules to improve their efficacy as therapeutic treatments. A preferred polymer is of formula The polymers are particularly suitable for derivatising proteins, such as interferon-?.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogels comprising 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol groups acetalised with a radiopaque species of one or more covalently bound radiopaque halogens which are imageable during embolization therapy. The invention further relates to methods of making radiopaque polymers and radiopaque hydrogel microspheres to provide an imageable drug delivery system.

Abstract: There is provided a new use of microspheres comprising a water-insoluble, water-swellable polymer which is anionically charged at pH7, and electrostatically associated with the polymer, in releasable form, a cationically charged chemotherapeutic agent, in the manufacture of a composition for use in the treatment of a brain tumour, wherein in the treatment the composition is introduced into the brain and the chemotherapeutic agent is released from the microspheres, wherein the microspheres, when equilibrated in water at 37° C., comprise at least 40 wt % water based on weight of polymer plus water. Compositions comprising the microspheres and methods for the treatment of brain tumours are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a new use of microspheres comprising a water-insoluble, water-swellable polymer which is anionically charged at pH7, and electrostatically associated with the polymer, in releasable form, a cationically charged chemotherapeutic agent, in the manufacture of a composition for use in the treatment of a brain tumor, wherein in the treatment the composition is introduced into the brain and the chemotherapeutic agent is released from the microspheres, wherein the microspheres, when equilibrated in water at 37° C., comprise at least 40 wt % water based on weight of polymer plus water. Compositions comprising the microspheres and methods for the treatment of brain tumors are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a new polymerisation process in which ethylenically unsaturated monomers are polymerised by a living radical polymerisation process in the presence of an initiator and a catalyst. Polymers produced by this new process are also thought to be novel and may be used to derivatise biological molecules to improve their efficacy as therapeutic treatments. A preferred polymer is of formula The polymers are particularly suitable for derivatising proteins, such as interferon-?.

Abstract: A process is described for loading hydrophilic polymer particles with a water-insoluble solvent-soluble drug. The particles are preferably embolic agents. The method provides particles having little or no drug at the surface and in a surface layer, whereby the burst effect is minimised. The drug is precipitated in the core of the particle, leading to extended release. The drug is, for instance, paclitaxel, rapamycin, dexamethasone or ibuprofen.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a new polymerization process in which ethylenically unsaturated monomers are polymerised by a living radical polymerization process in the presence of an initiator and a catalyst. Polymers produced by this new process are also thought to be novel and may be used to derivatise biological molecules to improve their efficacy as therapeutic treatments. A preferred polymer is of formula The polymers are particularly suitable for derivatising proteins, such as interferon-?.

Abstract: An embolic composition comprises microspheres formed of water-insoluble water-swellable anionic polymer having swollen diameter more than 100 ?m and a cationic camptothecin compound, preferably irinotecan. The microspheres are preferably formed of crosslinked polyvinylalcohol, preferably of ethylenically unsaturated polyvinylalcohol macromer, crosslinked with anionic ethylenically unsaturated anionic comonomer. The compositions are used to treat hypervascular tumours for instance colorectal metastases of the liver.

Abstract: An embolic composition comprises microspheres formed of water-insoluble water-swellable anionic polymer having swollen diameter more than 100 ?m, and a cationic camptothecin compound, preferably irinotecan. The microspheres are preferably formed of crosslinked polyvinylalcohol, preferably of ethylenically unsaturated polyvinylalcohol macromer, crosslinked with anionic ethylenically unsaturated anionic comonomer. The compositions are used to treat hypervascular tumours for instance colorectal metastases of the liver.

Abstract: A process is described for loading hydrophilic polymer particles with a water-insoluble solvent-soluble drug. The particles are preferably embolic agents. The method provides particles having little or no drug at the surface and in a surface layer, whereby the burst effect is minimised. The drug is precipitated in the core of the particle, leading to extended release. The drug is, for instance, paclitaxel, rapamycin, dexamethasone or ibuprofen.