Two-in-One Visual Gelatin Embolization Microspheres for Precise Localization and Rapid Embolization Studies

Transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE) has played a huge rolein interventional therapy and tumor embolization of organ hemorrhageand accidental hemorrhage. The selection of embolic materials withbetter biocompatibility is an important part of TAE. In this work,we prepared a gelatin microspheres (GMs) embolization material thatsimultaneously encapsulates silver sulfide quantum dots (Ag2S QDs) and barium sulfate (BaSO4), giving it good near-infraredsecond region (NIR-II) imaging and X-ray imaging effects, while luminescenceeffect of NIR-II is better than that of X-ray, which breaks the limitationof traditional embolization microspheres with only X-ray imaging.In order to improve the therapeutic effect on tumors, we loaded doxorubicin(DOX) antitumor drugs inside the microspheres and bound thrombin onthe surface of the microspheres. Thereby, not only can it help achieverapid embolization during hemostasis, but its sustained release canalso accelerate tumor necrosis. The microspheres have good biocompatibilityand blood compatibility. Preliminary application results show thatthe microspheres can achieve a good embolization effect in the earartery and renal artery of New Zealand white rabbits. Thus, they canbe used as a potential embolization system for drug delivery as wellas an effective material for arterial embolization and hemostasis.Significantly, this work realizes the clinical embolization applicationof NIR-II combined with X-ray multimodal imaging technology in biomedicalimaging.