Utilization of stents for the treatment of blood borne carcinomas

Abstract

A filter and a method to treat blood borne carcinomas by inducing apoptosis in carcinoma cells. The filter includes a stent having an interior wall defining a channel containing a packing material and at least one antineoplastic agent. The method includes placing a patient's blood in apposition of the antineoplastic agent by pumping the blood through the stent. The blood remains in apposition to the antineoplastic agent for a sufficient time period to induce an apoptotic cascade.

1 . A filter comprising at least one extra-corporeal stent comprising an interior wall defining a channel containing at least one antineoplastic agent for treating blood borne carcinomas in a patient in need thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the antineoplastic agent is selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel, sirolimus, taxol, polydimethylsiloxane, polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, ethylene vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein a coating on the interior wall comprises an antineoplastic coating. 
     
     
         4 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the interior wall defines a surface area of at least about 0.1 mm 2 . 
     
     
         5 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the channel includes a diameter from about 5 mm to about 2 cm. 
     
     
         6 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the channel includes a cell adhesion molecule that selectively attracts blood borne carcinoma cells. 
     
     
         7 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the channel includes an antibody that attaches to blood borne carcinoma cells.