Methods for treating cancerous tumors

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods described herein relate to treating cancerous tumors using radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In some embodiments, a method of treatment includes administering radiation therapy targeting a tumor, isolating a segment of a vessel proximate to the tumor, and administering a dose of a chemotherapeutic agent to the segment of the vessel. The method can further include waiting a period of time after administering the radiation therapy before administering the dose of the chemotherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, a catheter device including first and second occluding elements can be used to isolate the segment of the vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 treating a target area including a tumor to reduce a microvasculature in the target area;   isolating a segment of a lumen within or adjacent to the tumor in the target area using a catheter device inserted into the lumen;   delivering a dose of an agent to the target area having a reduced microvasculature from the isolated segment via the catheter device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting the catheter device into the lumen within or adjacent to the tumor, the catheter device including a first occluder and a second occluder. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein isolating the segment includes expanding the first occluder and the second occluder. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the chemotherapeutic agent includes one or more compounds selected from a group consisting of: doxorubicin, erlotinib hydrochloride, everolimus, 5-FU, flurouracil, folfirinox, gemcitabine hydrochloride, gemcitabine-cisplatin, gemcitabine-oxaliplatin, irinotecan hydrochloride liposome, leucovorin, mitomycin C, mitozytrex, mutamycin, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation, and sunitinab malate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein delivering the dose comprises adjusting an intraluminal pressure of the segment to a level of pressure of an interstitial space between the lumen and the target area and delivering the dose of the agent to the segment via the catheter device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target area is treated at a first time to reduce the microvasculature and further wherein the segment of the lumen is treated at a second time that is between two weeks and six months. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein treating the target area to reduce the microvasculature in the target area comprises administering a dose of radiation. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein treating the target area comprises administering the dose of radiation wherein the dose of radiation includes an amount of radiation totaling between 20 and 50 gray (Gy). 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the amount of radiation is selected based on one or more characteristics of the tumor, the one or more characteristics of the tumor including at least one of: a location of the tumor, and a size of the tumor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent includes a dye. 
     
     
         12 . A method, comprising:
 devascularizing a target area including a tumor to reduce a microvasculature in the target area;   isolating a segment of a lumen within or adjacent to the tumor in the target area using a catheter device inserted into the lumen;   decreasing an intraluminal pressure of the segment to a level of pressure of an interstitial space between the lumen and the target area; and   delivering a dose of an agent to the devascularized target area from the isolated segment while increasing the intraluminal pressure to greater than a pressure of the interstitial space between the lumen and the target area.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the segment of the lumen is isolated using the catheter device by expanding a first occluder and a second occluder, wherein distance between the first occluder and the second occluder is adjustable. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising measuring the intraluminal pressure of the segment using a pressure sensor in communication with the catheter device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein devascularizing the target area comprises treating the target area with a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the chemotherapeutic agent includes one or more compounds selected from a group consisting of: doxorubicin, erlotinib hydrochloride, everolimus, 5-FU, flurouracil, folfirinox, gemcitabine hydrochloride, gemcitabine-cisplatin, gemcitabine-oxaliplatin, irinotecan hydrochloride liposome, leucovorin, mitomycin C, mitozytrex, mutamycin, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation, and sunitinab malate. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the target area is treated at a first time to reduce the microvasculature and further wherein the segment of the lumen is treated at a second time that is between two weeks and six months. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein devascularizing the target area comprises administering a dose of radiation. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein treating the target area comprises administering the dose of radiation wherein the dose of radiation includes an amount of radiation totaling between 20 and 50 gray (Gy). 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the amount of radiation is selected based on one or more characteristics of the tumor, the one or more characteristics of the tumor including at least one of: a location of the tumor, and a size of the tumor.