Drug-eluting beads (DEB)

Drug-eluting beads (DEB) are a specialized drug delivery system used primarily in interventional oncology for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver tumors. These microspheres are designed to sequester cationic chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin or irinotecan, through ionic exchange and release them in a controlled manner within the tumor vasculature (Lencioni et al., 2012, PubMed). When administered via transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), the beads perform a dual role: they mechanically occlude the blood vessels supplying the tumor, inducing ischemia, and provide a sustained local concentration of the drug (Lewis et al., 2006, PubMed). This approach enhances the therapeutic index by maximizing local drug exposure while significantly reducing systemic toxicity compared to conventional oily chemoembolization (NIH/NCI). DEBs are widely utilized in managing hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer.

Other names

Drug-eluting microspheresDEB-TACEChemoembolization beadsDC BeadHepaSphereTandem microspheres

Mechanical vascular occlusion of tumor-feeding arteries combined with the sustained, controlled release of cytotoxic agents via ion-exchange mechanisms.