iodine-131-labeled lipiodol

**Iodine-131-labeled lipiodol** is a radiopharmaceutical used primarily for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially in patients with portal vein thrombosis. It consists of lipiodol—a mixture of iodinated ethyl esters of fatty acids from poppy seed oil—labeled with radioactive iodine-131. The drug is administered via intra-arterial injection (typically through the hepatic artery), allowing selective accumulation in liver tumors due to their lipophilic and vascular characteristics. Its mechanism of action is the targeted delivery of beta-emitting radiation (from iodine-131) directly to tumor tissue, inducing cytotoxicity and minimizing systemic exposure. Initially authorized in 1995 under the brand Lipiocis, it was withdrawn in 2010 due to lung toxicity but reintroduced in India (2018) and Brazil. It's considered especially when surgical resection or transplantation is not possible, providing palliative benefit by reducing tumor size and progression. The drug carries risks including interstitial pneumonia (dose-related) and potential pulmonary toxicity[2][1].

Brand names

Lipiocis

Other names

iodine-131 lipiodoliodine131 lipiodoliodine 131 lipiodol131I-Lipiodoliodine-131-labeled ethiodized oiliodine131-labeled ethiodized oiliodine 131-labeled ethiodized oil