The market for peripheral liquid embolic agents is projected to expand from US$ 40.42 million in 2023 to US$ 81.41 million by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1% during the period from 2023 to 2031.
Peripheral liquid embolic agents are utilized in interventional radiology to obstruct blood vessels that are leaking or malformed. Upon injection, these agents solidify, creating a plug that halts blood flow to the designated area.
Advancements in Temperature-Induced Phase Change Systems and pH-Triggered Embolic Agents are Emerging Trends Driving Market Expansion
The field of bioengineering shows significant interest in liquid embolism, especially concerning peripheral interventions. Liquid embolic agents can infiltrate areas that coils or catheters cannot access, such as peripheral or nidus regions. While existing liquid embolic agents generally fulfill clinical requirements, they do have limitations. Consequently, innovative liquid embolic agents are being developed to enhance imaging properties, minimize complications, optimize flow characteristics, and enable drug loading capabilities. A thorough examination of additional critical material properties, including potential side effects (like toxicity and adhesion), biofunctional aspects (such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, biomechanics, and bioactivity), and radiopacity, is crucial for creating clinically customized embolic agents for minimally invasive imaging techniques.
Temperature-sensitive polymer solutions can transition from a sol-injectable form to a gel state at body temperature. Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) demonstrates a reversible phase change at a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 32 ?C. A study published in the Journal of Controlled Release by Qian et al. in 2015 highlighted that poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-butylmethyl acrylate) gels containing iohexol dispersions for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of liver cancer effectively embolized renal arteries in rabbits while allowing for sustained release of doxorubicin. Similarly, research by Wang et al. in 2011, published in the National Library of Medicine, showed that chitosan/β-glycerophosphate (C/GP) successfully occluded renal arteries in rabbits, indicating its potential as an embolization agent. Zhao et al. also explored temperature-sensitive PNIPAAm-iohexol nanogels for embolization, as reported in a study in Wiley Online Library in 2011. The hydrophobic interactions above the phase transition temperature (36.5 ?C) resulted in a complex 3D gel network suitable for in situ vessel casting. Compared to Lipiodol, a conventional peripheral embolic agent, the nanogel demonstrated superior embolization in VX2 liver tumors in rabbits.
Additionally, a thermosensitive liquid embolic hydrogel composed of poloxamer 407 (a triblock copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide) has been proposed for liver cancer treatment. This composite hydrogel, which includes poloxamer 407, hydroxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, and iodixanol (PSHI), exhibited two phases with temperature increases: a flowing sol and a contracted gel. Remarkably, complete occlusion of the VX2 liver cancer model was achieved with PSHI-Ca2+, resulting in tumor disappearance post-embolization.
pH-sensitive active components can undergo phase transitions due to pH variations between in vitro and physiological conditions. These hydrogels can swell and collapse in response to pH changes, which is utilized for controlled drug release.
A study published in the Royal Society of Chemistry by Nguyen et al. in 2016 introduced PCLA-PUSSM, a copolymer made from poly(ε-caprolactone-co-lactide) (PCLA), PEG, and poly(urethane sulfide sulfamethazine) (PUSSM), designed for TACE of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This biodegradable material, loaded with doxorubicin, exhibited a phase transition in response to decreasing pH levels. The hydrogel effectively embolized a liver tumor in a VX2 rabbit model while providing a sustained release of doxorubicin. In a rat model, the embolization halted blood supply to the tumor, creating an acidic environment through hypoxia and inducing lactic acidosis. The low pH triggered drug release, successfully inhibiting tumor growth in vivo.
Several liquid embolic agents currently under investigation for temperature-sensitive and pH-triggered gelation are listed below:
Liquid Embolic Agents Under Investigation for Temperature-Sensitive and pH-Triggered Gelation
| Liquid Embolic Agents | Mechanism | Advantage | Classical Usage Scenarios or Trial Conditions |
| Chitosan/β- glycerophosphate (chitosan/β-GP) | Temperature- and pH-triggered gelation | Drug delivery | Renal arteries in rabbits |
| Silk-Elastin-Like proteins (SELPs) | Temperature- triggered gelation | Drug delivery | Primary VX2 liver tumors in rabbit |
| Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-butyl methylacrylate) nanogel (PIB nanogel) | Temperature- triggered gelation | Superior embolization compared to lipiodol | Primary VX2 liver tumors in rabbit |
| Poloxamer 407 | Temperature- triggered gelation | Temporary vascular occlusion | Renal arteries in canines |
| poloxamer 407, sodium alginate, hydroxymethyl cellulose, iodixanol, and calcium ions (PSHI-Ca2+) | Temperature- triggered gelation | Radiopacity | Primary VX2 liver tumors in rabbit |
| Sulfamethazine-based hydrogel | pH-triggered gelation | Drug delivery | Primary VX2 liver tumors in rabbit |
| Poly(Amino Ester Urethane) block polymer (PEAU) | Temperature- and pH-triggered gelation | Drug delivery | Primary VX2 liver tumors in rabbit |
In conclusion, the increasing emphasis on and advancements in temperature-induced phase change systems and pH-triggered embolic agents are likely to introduce new trends in the peripheral liquid embolic agents market in the near future.
The analysis of the peripheral liquid embolic agents market has been conducted by examining various segments, including type, application, and geography. The market is divided into polymerizing liquid embolic agents and precipitating liquid embolic agents based on type. In terms of application, it encompasses endoleak type II, malformations, bleeding and trauma, varicose veins, tumors, and visceral aneurysms.
The peripheral liquid embolic agents market report includes a geographical scope covering North America (the US, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Spain, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and the Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (South Korea, China, Japan, India, Australia, and the Rest of Asia Pacific), the Middle East & Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the Rest of the Middle East & Africa), and South & Central America (Brazil, Argentina, and the Rest of South & Central America). North America is the leading contributor to the global peripheral liquid embolic agents market, while the Asia Pacific region is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR from 2023 to 2031.
The growth of the North American market is driven by the rising incidence of aneurysms, trauma, and other related conditions. In Canada, market growth is supported by increasing government initiatives aimed at addressing the growing concerns regarding peripheral disorders. In Mexico, the market is anticipated to expand due to the burgeoning pharmaceutical industry and medical tourism. The Asia Pacific peripheral liquid embolic agents market, which includes China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and the Rest of Asia Pacific, is propelled by factors such as the increasing prevalence of peripheral artery diseases (PAD), a growing demand for minimally invasive procedures, an expanding number of hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, heightened focus from market players on developing countries, and improvements in healthcare infrastructure.
Key primary and secondary sources referenced in the preparation of the report on the peripheral liquid embolic agents market include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the World Health Organization (WHO).