Uptake of Lipiodol™–cytotoxic conjugates by hepatoblastoma cells

Abstract Background Improvements in the management of children with hepatoblastoma have followed advances made in cytotoxic agents and treatment regimens. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of Lipiodol™, an iodinated poppy-seed oil, on the uptake of anthracyclic cytotoxic conjugates by hepatoblastoma cells in culture. Methods Monolayer cultures of (1) a hepatoblastoma cell line generated from freshly explanted tumour tissue, (2) an immortal hepatoblastoma cell line (C3a) and (3) a human hepatocyte cell line were exposed to doxorubicin 10 µg/ml with or without 2 per cent Lipiodol™ for 1–72 h. The fluorescence intensity in the treated cells, which correlates with intracellular doxorubicin concentration, was measured by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Cytotoxicity was assessed by trypan blue exclusion and electron microscopy. Results Doxorubicin accumulated in the nucleus and cytoplasm of all the cell lines. With Lipiodol™, the mean fluorescence intensity of intracellular doxorubicin was increased for up to 48 h in both hepatoblastoma lines, but not in the hepatocyte cell line. Lipiodol™ increased the uptake and intracellular concentration of doxorubicin in the hepatoblastoma cells in culture. Lipiodol™ also enhanced the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin on the cultured hepatoblastoma cells. Conclusion Lipiodol™ significantly enhanced the uptake of doxorubicin by hepatoblastoma cells in culture. Lipiodol™–doxorubicin targeted treatment of hepatoblastoma may improve the intracellular uptake and hence cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in vivo, enabling a reduction in the total dose administered and side-effects.