X-Ray Visible Gelatin/NaHCO3/BaSO4 Ternary Composite Microspheres for Improved Drug Uptake in Simulated Transcatheter Arterial Embolization – Research

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is a minimally invasive interventional procedure performed under X-ray guidance. It involves catheter-based delivery of embolic agents (EAs) into pathological or injured blood vessels to block the blood supply, thereby achieving rapid hemostasis. Meanwhile, this technique induces ischemic necrosis of tumor cells by depriving them of nutrients and oxygen through targeted vascular occlusion. Owing to its advantages of minimal invasiveness, precise targeting, and repeatability, TAE has been widely adopted in clinical practice. However, its therapeutic efficacy is mainly constrained by two limitations: insufficient imaging stability caused by the rapid dispersion of radiopaque agents in the blood vessels, as well as the chemotherapy resistance induced by lactic acid accumulation in the tumor microenvironment due to embolization. In this study, we developed a novel bifunctional gelatin-based embolic microsphere that can simultaneously meet the requirements of promoting the drug uptake by tumor tissues and stable X-ray imaging through encapsulating sodium bicarbonate nanoparticles and barium sulfate (BaSO₄) contrast agents into the gelatin embolic microsphere. We further systematically evaluated its physicochemical and biocompatibility properties. This study provides a novel strategy for developing EAs with integrated radiopacity stability and improved drug uptake, holding potential for advancing precision in interventional therapies.