A Pilot First-in-Human Study of Embrace, a Polyethylene Glycol-Based Liquid Embolic Agent, in the Embolization of Malignant and Benign Hypervascular Tumors

Purpose: To investigate the safety and efficacy of an aqueous polyethylene glycol-based liquid embolic agent, Embrace Hydrogel Embolic System (HES), in the treatment of benign and malignant hypervascular tumors. Materials and Methods: A prospective, single-arm, multicenter study included 8 patients, 5 males and 3 females, with a median age of 58.5 years (30-85 years), who underwent embolization in 8 tumors between October 2019 and May 2020. Technical success was defined as successful delivery of HES to the index vessel, with disappearance of >90% of the targeted vascular enhancement or, for portal vein embolization, occlusion of the portal branches to the liver segments for future resection. The volume of HES administered, ease of use (5 point Likert scale), administration time, and adverse events (AEs) were recorded. Evaluation was performed at 7, 30, and 90 days via clinical assessment and blood testing, and followup imaging was performed at 30 days. Results: Eight patients were enrolled, and 10 embolizations were performed in 8 lesions. Tumors included hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 4), renal angiomyolipoma (n = 3), and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (n = 1). Technical success was 100%, and the average ease of use was 3.3 +/- 1.0 SD. The HES delivery time was 1-28 minutes (median, 16.5 minutes), and the HES volume injected was 0.4-4.0 mL (median, 1.3 mL). All patients reached 30-day follow-up with imaging, and 6 patients reached 90-day follow-up. There were 3 serious AEs in 2 patients that were unrelated to the embolic agent. Conclusion: HES resulted in a 100% embolization technical success rate. The product ease of use was acceptable, and no target vessel recanalization was noted on follow-up imaging at 30 days.

Automated summary

The study investigated the safety and efficacy of Embrace Hydrogel Embolic System (HES) in the treatment of benign and malignant hypervascular tumors. The results showed a 100% technical success rate with HES, indicating its effectiveness in embolization. The product was found to be easy to use, and there were no cases of target vessel recanalization on follow-up imaging at 30 days.