Fig. (8).

Schematic diagram of hollow SPIO nanoshell based chemoembolization composites for transcatheter anticancer drug delivery. Step 1: synthesis of hollow SPIO nanoshells; Step 2: encapsulation of anti-cancer drug into the SPIO nanoshells; Step 3: formation of anti-cancer drug filled SPIO nanoshells with PVA to become 0.5~1mm chemoembolization composites; Step 4: chemoembolization composites delivered through a catheter to embolize the arteries supplying blood to the tumor; Step 5: After a period of time, chemoembolization composite dissembled and SPIO nanoshell passed through the leaky tumor vasculature into the tumor tissue, and the anti-tumor drugs were released within the tumor (reproduced with permission from reference 159).