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[Radiotherapy of high grade glioma: use of fast neutrons, therapy and enhancement by neutron capture].

Among high linear energy transfer (LET) irradiations techniques, those using fast neutrons are able to eradicate glioblastoma cells. At least a 13 grays (Gy) irradiation dose has to be used, but high morbidity is observed in case of over 11 Gy irradiation. So, no therapeutic windows have been found despite the fact that more than 900 patients were included in clinical trials. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) uses alpha emitting nuclear reactions, produced within tumoral cells by boron neutron captures. (10)B is specifically loaded inside tumoral cells via a boronated molecule, and the tissues are then irradiated with thermal or epithermal neutrons. Although this type of irradiation is yet considered as a regular method in Japan, USA and Europe have started clinical trials, currently in progress, in order to define the BNCT place in the post-operative care of high grade glioma. Non-removable tumors may benefit from boron neutron capture enhancement of fast neutron irradiation, i.e. the combination of these two methods. Preliminary studies show that a "biological" dose enhancement of 20 % could be obtained within the tumor when a concentration of 100 microg/g of (10)B is targeted into it. These concentrations are achievable by intra-arterial administration of (10)boronophenylalanine (BPA) or borosulfhydryl (BSH). Recently, some publications have also demonstrated that the thermal neutron flux yielded within the irradiated tissues could be increased. Clinical trials, using this technique, are planned in USA and Europe.

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy↗

In vitro effects of free 211At,211At-albumin and 211At-monoclonal antibody compared to external photon irradiation on two human cancer cell lines.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to perform various 211At irradiations of importance for the evaluation of 211At-radioimmunotherapy, and compare the effect with that of low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All irradiations were performed on low-concentration single-cell suspensions. Growth assays using 96-well plates were used to estimate apparent cell survival. Centrifuge tube filters were used to estimate the cell uptake and binding of 211At. RESULTS: A relative biological effect (RBE) of 12 +/- 2 (Colo-205) and 5.3 +/- 0.7 (OVCAR-3) was found from 211At-albumin irradiations. There was a 174 +/- 28 times higher free 211At concentration in the cell fraction than in the surrounding medium. For 211At-MAb, an 8,000-30,000 times higher concentration in the cell fraction was achieved, compared to the medium. Corrected for the uptake, an average of 31 +/- 2 ([211At]-astatine) or 26 +/- 5 ([211At]-MAb) decays per cell were required for 37% survival of Colo-205 cells. An average of 19 +/- 3 decays ([211At]-astatine) were required per OVCAR-3 cell. CONCLUSIONS: Cell uptake and binding of 211At was unexpectedly high, possibly favouring its therapeutic use. The binding is probably to the cell surface. The RBE is 5.3 +/- 0.7 for OVCAR-3 and 12 +/- 2 for Colo-205 cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Repair of radiation damage in Lewis lung carcinoma cells following in situ treatment with fast neutrons and gamma-rays.

Lewis lung tumor cells were irradiated with 60Co gamma-rays or cyclotron-produced neutrons in situ as solid s.c. tumors or in vitro as single cell suspensions. Cell survival was assayed by colony formation both in vitro in soft agar and in the lungs of isogeneic recipient mice. Survival curve characteristics measured in vitro were: Do = 111 rads, Dq = 342 rads, n = 22 for gamma-rays, and Do = 61 rads, Dq = 46 rads, n = 2 for neutrons. In situ, the hypoxic fraction was 0.36. Irradiation in situ gave, for the hypoxic subpopulation, Do = 315 rads for gamma-rays and Do = 91 rads for neutrons. The oxygen-enhancement ratio for gamma-rays was 2.8 and for neutrons was 1.5. Using the split-dose technique, in which two equal doses were administered, separated by 4 hr chronically hypoxic tumor cells repaired sublethal damage, assayed by leaving tumor cells in situ up to 24 hr posttreatment, could not be detected after neutrons, but after gamma-rays it was observed as a 3- to 6-fold increase in survival. The repair of potentially lethal damage increased the relative biological effectiveness of neutrons from 3.7 at a survival level of 5% when assayed immediately after treatment to 4.7 when assayed 6 to 24 hr after treatment. These observations, primarily limited to the chronically hypoxic subpopulation of tumor cells, suggest that decreased repair of potentially lethal damage as well as sublethal damage may be an important radiobiological difference between the effects of high and low linear energy transfer radiation.

Animals↗

Highly specific tumor binding of a 213Bi-labeled monoclonal antibody against mutant E-cadherin suggests its usefulness for locoregional alpha-radioimmunotherapy of diffuse-type gastric cancer.

A monoclonal antibody (E-cadherin delta 9-1) directed against a characteristic E-cadherin mutation (in-frame deletion of exon 9), found in diffuse-type gastric cancer but not in any normal tissue, was conjugated with the high linear energy transfer alpha-emitter 213Bi and tested for its binding specificity in s.c. and i.p. nude mice tumor models. After intratumoral application in s.c. tumors expressing mutant E-cadherin, the 213Bi-labeled antibody was specifically retained at the injection site as shown by autoradiography. After injection into the peritoneal cavity, uptake in small i.p. tumor nodules expressing mutant E-cadherin was 17-fold higher than in tumor nodules expressing wild-type E-cadherin (62% injected dose/g versus 3.7% injected dose/g). 78% of the total activity in the ascites fluid was bound to free tumor cells expressing mutant E-cadherin, whereas in control cells, binding was only 18%. The selective binding of the 213Bi-labeled, mutation-specific monoclonal antibody E-cadherin delta 9-1 suggests that it will be successful for alpha-radioimmunotherapy of disseminated tumors after locoregional application.

Animals↗

Synergistic cell-killing effect of a combination of hyperthermia and heavy ion beam irradiation: in expectation of a breakthrough in the treatment of refractory cancers (review).

We studied the sensitivity against heavy ion beam and hyperthermia on radioresistant procaryote, Deinococcus radiodurans, for the purpose of cancer therapy. First, we examined the decrease of the survival rate and molecular weight of DNA purified from this cell by acid heat treatment. These decreases were recognized by heating at 55 degrees C below pH 5.0. Then, we assumed that the decrease in survival of D. radiodurans in vivo and damage to its DNA in vitro by acid heating were due to the release of purine rings from the phosphodiester backbone of DNA molecules, i.e., depurination. Second, we investigated the relation between LET (linear energy transfer) and RBE (relative biological effectiveness) on D. radiodurans dry and wet cells using AVF cyclotron at the TIARA facility of JAERI-Takasaki, Japan. These cells were irradiated with carbon (12C5+) ion beam at LET of about 100 keV/microm, neon (20Ne8+) ion beam at LET of about 300 keV/microm and oxygen (16O6+) ion beam at LET of about 400 keV/microm. The peak in the figure of the relation between LET and RBE value was found to increase according to the increase of LET value from 100 keV/microm. Third, we conducted combination treatment with 4.8 kGy of alpha-particles, i.e., boron 10 neutron captured beam induced by Kyoto University Research Nuclear Reactor operated at 5 MW, and hyperthermia at 52 degrees C, which caused the synergistic killing effect on D. radiodurans wet cells. However, being dissimilar to the case of gamma-irradiation, the interval incubation at 30 degrees C in the medium between both treatments could inhibit the recovery of survival.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

[Use of radionuclides in therapy].

INTRODUCTION: In nuclear medicine therapy is based on deposition of certain doses of ionizing radiation in tumors or organ tissues. Regarding their linear energy transfer (LET) values and relative biological effectiveness (RBE), principal radiotherapeuticals are alpha-, beta-, beta/gamma- or electron-emitters. In principle, to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, a particular radionuclide should exhibit adequate physical, chemical and biological properties. However, considerable efforts are required in selecting an optimal radionuclide for a specific application and then, in the development of methods for its routine production. THERAPEUTIC USE OF RADIONUCLIDES: The paper reviews several aspects of use, properties and production of unsealed radiation sources which are intended to be administered for therapeutic purposes. It covers scientific and practical criteria involved in selecting the radionuclide from medical point of view. The main indications for use of radiotherapeuticals are in oncology and rheumathology. Besides well known, like 32P, 89Sr, 90Y and 131I, several other radionuclides are also listed. Some of them are already in routine use while the others are still under investigation. The main chemical forms of radionuclides and indications are revealed. Particular emphasis is put on the discussion on criteria which a radionuclide should fulfill regarding its physical properties (type, energy, half life, ratio and abundance of the particulate and gamma ray emission). Ideally, they should, together with chemical and biological properties, match with the in-vivo pharmacokinetics and localization of the radionuclide and/or radiopharmaceutical. The trend in modern nuclear medicine is introduction of radionuclides of very specific properties. This, on the other side, opens a question of their availability on the routine basis and at reasonable prices. This matter is also discussed in the present review. CONCLUSION: Production of radionuclides for therapeutic purposes (as well as those for diagnostics) is performed either in nuclear reactors or in cyclotrons. Advantages and disadvantages of each production are discussed. The main nuclear reactions for routine production of 32P, 89Sr, 90Y and 131I are given, as well as for production of several other reactor or cyclotron-produced radionuclides. These are, e.g., reactor-produced beta-emitter 169Er, beta/gamma emitters 67Cu, 153Sm, 165Dy, 186Re and electron-emitters 80mBr and 125I. Generators for production of alpha emitters 212Bi and 213Bi are also under development. It can be concluded that, at present, besides 131I, large activities of 32P, 89Sr and 90Y are available on regular basis. For many others, routine availability remains yet to be established.

Humans↗

Radiation-induced growth inhibition in transplanted human tongue carcinomas with different p53 gene status.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To test p53-dependency in radiation cancer therapy with X-rays (low-linear energy transfer (LET)) or carbon-ion (C-) beams (high-LET heavy ion), we analyzed the radiation-induced growth rate and apoptosis induction in human tongue carcinomas transplanted into nude mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SAS cells transfected with mutant p53 gene (SAS/mp53) or a neo control gene (SAS/neo) were transplanted into the thigh of each nude mouse. By measuring the tumor weight (TW), tumor regrowth delay was evaluated when the relative tumor weight (RW) reached 5-fold that of the control group. Apoptosis was analyzed by immunohistochemical and ApopTag stainings. RESULTS: SAS/mp53 tumors were more resistant to X-ray irradiation than SAS/neo tumors, but not to C-beam irradiation. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of C-beams compared to X-rays was 2.1 in SAS/neo tumors and 2.6 in SAS/mp53 tumors. Apoptotic cells were more frequently observed in SAS/neo tumors than in SAS/mp53 tumors in X-ray irradiation but not in C-beam irradiation. CONCLUSION: The radiation-induced growth inhibition of transplanted SAS cells is suggested to be p53-dependent in X-ray irradiation but not in C-beam irradiation. C-beams are proposed as being useful for cancer radiation therapy regardless of p53 gene status.

Animals↗

Quantitative comparisons of cancer induction in humans by internally deposited radionuclides and external radiation.

PURPOSE: To compare quantitative estimates of lifetime cancer risk in humans for exposures to internally deposited radionuclides and external radiation. To assess the possibility that risks from radionuclide exposures may be underestimated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Risk estimates following internal exposures can be made for a small number of alpha-particle-emitting nuclides. (1) Lung cancer in underground miners exposed by inhalation to radon-222 gas and its short-lived progeny. Studies of residential (222)Rn exposure are generally consistent with predictions from the miner studies. (2) Liver cancer and leukaemia in patients given intravascular injections of Thorotrast, a thorium-232 oxide preparation that concentrates in liver, spleen and bone marrow. (3) Bone cancer in patients given injections of radium-224, and in workers exposed occupationally to (226)Ra and (228)Ra, mainly by ingestion. (4) Lung cancer in Mayak workers exposed to plutonium-239, mainly by inhalation. Liver and bone cancers were also seen, but the dosimetry is not yet sufficiently good enough to provide quantitative estimates of risks. Comparisons can be made between risk estimates for radiation-induced cancer derived for radionuclide exposure and those derived for the A-bomb survivors, exposed mainly to low-LET (linear energy transfer) external radiation. Data from animal studies, using dogs and rodents, allow comparisons of cancer induction by a range of alpha- and beta-/gamma-emitting radionuclides. They provide information on relative biological effectiveness (RBE), dose-response relationships, dose-rate effects and the location of target cells for different malignancies. RESULTS: For lung and liver cancer, the estimated values of risk per Sv for internal exposure, assuming an RBE for alpha-particles of 20, are reasonably consistent with estimates for external exposure to low-LET radiation. This also applies to bone cancer when risk is calculated on the basis of average bone dose, but consideration of dose to target cells on bone surfaces suggests a low RBE for alpha-particles. Similarly, for leukaemia, the comparison of risks from alpha-irradiation ((232)Th and progeny) and external radiation suggest a low alpha RBE; this conclusion is supported by animal data. Risk estimates for internal exposure are dependent on the assumptions made in calculating dose. Account is taken of the distribution of radionuclides within tissues and the distribution of target cells for cancer induction. For the lungs and liver, the available human and animal data provide support for current assumptions. However, for bone cancer and leukaemia, it may be that changes are required. Bone cancer risk may be best assessed by calculating dose to a 50 micro m layer of marrow adjacent to endosteal (inner) bone surfaces rather than to a single 10 micro m cell layer as currently assumed. Target cells for leukaemia may be concentrated towards the centre of marrow cavities so that the risk of leukaemia from bone-seeking radionuclides, particularly alpha emitters, may be overestimated by the current assumption of uniform distribution of target cells throughout red bone marrow. CONCLUSIONS: The lifetime risk estimates considered here for exposure to internally deposited radionuclides and to external radiation are subject to uncertainties, arising from the dosimetric assumptions made, from the quality of cancer incidence and mortality data and from aspects of risk modelling; including variations in baseline rates between populations for some cancer types. Bearing in mind such uncertainties, comparisons of risk estimates for internal emitters and external radiation show good agreement for lung and liver cancers. For leukaemia, the available data suggest that the assumption of an alpha-particle RBE of 20 can result in overestimates of risk. For bone cancer, it also appears that current assumptions will overestimate risks from alpha-particle-emitting nuclides, particularly at low doses.

Animals↗

Biophysical model of the radiation-induced bystander effect.

PURPOSE: To construct a quantitative model of the radiation-induced bystander effect based on diffusion-type spreading of bystander signal communication between the hit and non-hit cells. Cell inactivation and induced oncogenic transformation by broad- and microbeam irradiation systems are considered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The biophysical model ByStander Diffusion Modelling (BSDM) postulates that the oncogenic bystander response observed in non-hit cells originates from specific signals received from inactivated cells. The bystander signals are assumed to be protein-like molecules spreading in the culture media by Brownian motion. The bystander signals are assumed to switch cells into a state of cell death (apoptotic/mitotic/necrosis) or induced oncogenic transformation modes. RESULTS: The bystander cell survival observed after treatment with the irradiated conditioned medium (ICM) using the broad-beam and the microbeam irradiation modalities were analysed and interpreted in the framework of the BSDM model. The model predictions for cell inactivation and induced oncogenic transformation frequencies agree well with observed data from micro and broad-beam experiments. In the case of irradiation with constant fraction of cells, transformation frequency for the bystander effect increases with increasing radiation dose. CONCLUSIONS: Bystander modelling based on diffusion of signals is in good agreement with experimental cell survival data and induced oncogenic transformation frequencies. The data confirm the protein-like nature of the bystander signal. Linear extrapolation of the cell response to low doses of radiation might underestimate carcinogenic risk, for example for domestic radon hazards, if the contribution from the bystander effect is neglected. The BSDM predicts that the bystander effect cannot be interpreted solely as a low-dose effect phenomenon. It is shown that the bystander component of radiation response can increase with dose and be observed at high doses as well as at low doses. The validity of this conclusion is supported by analysis of experimental results from high-linear energy transfer microbeam experiments.

Alpha Particles↗

Single-hit mechanism of tumour cell killing by radiation.

PURPOSE: To review the relative importance of the single-hit mechanism of radiation killing for tumour response to 1.8-2.0 Gy day(-1) fractions and to low dose-rate brachytherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumour cell killing by ionizing radiation is well described by the linear-quadratic equation that contains two independent components distinguished by dose kinetics. Analyses of tumour cell survival curves that contain six or more dose points usually provide good estimates of the alpha- and beta-inactivation coefficients. Superior estimates of tumour cell intrinsic radiosensitivity are obtained when synchronized populations are employed. The characteristics of single-hit inactivation of tumour cells are reviewed and compared with the characteristics of beta-inactivation. Potential molecular targets associated with single-hit inactivation are discussed along with strategies for potentiating cell killing by this mechanism. RESULTS: The single-hit mechanism of tumour cell killing shows no dependence on dose-rate and, consequently, no evidence of sublethal damage repair. It is uniquely potentiated by high linear-energy-transfer radiation, exhibits a smaller oxygen enhancement ratio and exhibits a larger indirect effect by hydroxyl radicals than the beta-mechanism. alpha-inactivation coefficients vary slightly throughout interphase but mitotic cells exhibit extremely high alpha-coefficients in the range of those observed for lymphocytes and some repair-deficient cells. Evidence is accumulating to suggest that chromatin in compacted form could be a radiation-hypersensitive target associated with single-hit radiation killing. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses of tumour cell survival curves demonstrate that it is the single-hit mechanism (alpha) that determines the majority of cell killing after doses of 2Gy and that this mechanism is highly variable between tumour cell lines. The characteristics of single-hit inactivation are qualitatively and quantitatively distinct from those of beta-inactivation. Compacted chromatin in tumour cells should be further investigated as a radiation-hypersensitive target that could be modulated for therapeutic advantage.

Cell Death↗

Chromosomal biodosimetry by unfolding a mixed Poisson distribution: a generalized model.

PURPOSE: The current chromosomal biodosimetry system is practically limited to the estimation of equivalent whole-body dose in the low or moderate dose range. To circumvent this problem, a new dosimetry system was developed which was effective over a wide dose range and dose gradient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to establish a quantitative formalism of a comprehensive dose-response kinetics, chromosome aberration frequencies were studied in human peripheral blood lymphocytes irradiated in vitro with gamma-rays in a dose range of 0.01-50Gy. Using the dose-yield relationship thus established, a new model of biodosimetry was developed which involved unfolding the chromosome aberration distribution into a mixed Poisson distribution and thence into a dose-distribution profile. The model was then tested with chromosome aberration data in lymphocytes irradiated in vitro, simulated partial body irradiation, accidental radiation exposure, therapeutic local irradiation and protracted exposure by internal deposit of Thorotrast. RESULTS: The dose-yield relations over a wide dose range fit satisfactorily a multiparametric dose-response curve, which included the first approximation kinetics of linear-quadratic dose-response and its distortion by mutual interference among multiple breaks on a chromosome arm. The unfolding strategy using these dose-response kinetics was successfully applied to the various types of radiation exposures; the reconstructed dose profile showing a sharp unimodal peak for moderate or high doses of gamma-rays in vitro irradiation, broadening for high-linear energy transfer radiation, discrimination of doses in the mixed culture of irradiated and unirradiated blood, and reasonable dose distribution for the in vivo exposures. CONCLUSION: A novel biodosimetry system was developed. The system is innovative in that it provides information not only on the macroscopic dose inhomogeneity, but also on the microscopic spectrum of doses stemming from the variability of energy transfer by charged particles as well as the multiple ionization events to which the target cell nucleus is exposed.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Targeting of osseous sites with alpha-emitting 223Ra: comparison with the beta-emitter 89Sr in mice.

UNLABELLED: The bone-seeking property and the potential exposure of red marrow by the alpha-particle emitter (223)Ra (half-life, 11.43 d) were compared with those of the beta-emitter (89)Sr (half-life, 50.53 d). METHODS: The biodistributions of (223)Ra and (89)Sr were studied in mice. Tissue uptake was determined at 1 h, 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 14 d after intravenous administration. Radiation absorbed doses were calculated for soft tissues and for bone. Multicellular-level doses were estimated for bone marrow cavities. RESULTS: Both (89)Sr and (223)Ra selectively concentrated on bone surfaces relative to soft tissues. The measured bone uptake of (223)Ra was slightly higher than that of (89)Sr. At 24 h, the femur uptake of (223)Ra was 40.1% +/- 7.7% of the administered activity per gram of tissue. The uptake in spleen and most other soft tissues was higher for (223)Ra than for (89)Sr. Although predominant clearance of (223)Ra was observed from the soft tissues within the first 24 h, the bone uptake of (223)Ra, which was not significantly different from maximum after only 1 h, was not significantly reduced during the 14 d. Furthermore, little redistribution of (223)Ra daughter products away from bone was found (2% at 6 h and less than 1% at 3 d). Estimates of dose to marrow cavities showed that the (223)Ra alpha-emitter might have a marrow-sparing advantage compared with beta-emitters for targeting osteoid surfaces because the short-range alpha-particles irradiate a significantly lower fraction of the marrow volumes. At the same time, the bone surfaces will receive a therapeutically effective radiation dose. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that (223)Ra is a promising candidate for high-linear-energy transfer alpha-particle irradiation of cancer cells on bone surfaces. (223)Ra can, together with its daughter radionuclides, deliver an intense and highly localized radiation dose to the bone surfaces with substantially less irradiation of healthy bone marrow compared with standard bone-seeking beta-emitters.

Alpha Particles↗

Evaluation of the cytotoxic and mutagenic potentiality of technetium-99m in Escherichi coli.

Since technetium-99m (99mTc) was introduced in medical research it has become one of the most employed radionuclides in nuclear medicine. 99mTc is ideal for routine use on the labeling of different radiopharmaceuticals due to its favorable characteristics. However, some biological effects have been described. These effects may be related to internal conversion electron and/or Auger electron emissions from 99mTc decay that present high linear energy transfer and can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the medium. We evaluated in Escherichia coli K12S and Salmonella typhimurium TA102, both proficient in DNA repair, contribution of those decay emissions on the cytotoxicity induced by 99mTc, both either by generating lesions on DNA or by inducing alterations at membrane. We also studied the genotoxic and/or mutagenic potentiality of 99mTc, in Salmonella typhimurium, using the Ames test. The results showed that: i/ 99mTc is cytotoxic to the Escherichia coli K12S strains; ii/ this effect is related to the electrons (Auger and internal conversion) emissions, and iii/ the 99mTc is not mutagenic and/or genotoxic, when measured by Ames test.

Electrons↗

Relative biological effectiveness of 50-MV X rays on jejunal crypt survival in vivo.

Earlier in vitro studies of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 50-MV X rays show an RBE of approximately 1.1 compared to 4 MV. No difference in RBE has been found for 20-MV X rays or 50-MeV electrons. The higher RBE for 50 MV can be explained to some extent by the small high linear energy transfer contribution from photonuclear reactions at high X-ray energies. To investigate the validity of the results in vitro, a study of the RBE of 50-MV X rays has been performed in vivo using the jejunal crypt microcolony assay in mice. The reference radiation used in this case was 20-MV X rays. The results confirm the earlier in vitro studies. The RBE for 50-MV X rays was estimated to be 1.06, calculated as the ratio between the slopes of the response curves.

Animals↗

Astatine-211-labeled antibodies for treatment of disseminated ovarian cancer: an overview of results in an ovarian tumor model.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to establish and refine a preclinical model to alpha-immunoradiotherapy of ovarian cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: At-211 was produced by cyclotron irradiation of a bismuth-209 target and isolated using a novel dry distillation procedure. Monoclonal antibodies were radiohalogenated with the intermediate reagent N-succinimidyl 3-(trimethylstannyl)benzoate and characterized in terms of radiochemical yield and in vitro binding properties. In vitro OVCAR-3 cells were irradiated using an external Cobalt-60 beam, as reference, or At-211-albumin and labeled antibody. Growth assays were used to establish cell survival. A Monte Carlo program was developed to simulate the energy imparted and the track length distribution. Nude mice were used for studies of WBC depression, with various activities of Tc-99m antibodies, as reference, and At-211 antibodies. In efficacy studies, OVCAR-3 cells were inoculated i.p., and animals were treated 2 weeks later. The animals were either dissected 6 weeks later or followed-up for long-term survival. RESULTS: A rapid distillation procedure, as well as a rapid and high-yield, single-pot labeling procedure, was achieved. From growth inhibition data, the relative biological effectiveness of the alpha-emission for OVCAR-3 cells was estimated to be approximately 5, which is in the same range as found in vivo for hematological toxicity. At-211 MOv18 was found to effectively inhibit the development of tumors and ascites, also resulting in long-term survival without significant toxic effect. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the short-range, high-linear energy transfer alpha-emitter At-211 conjugated to a surface epitope-recognizing monoclonal antibody appears to be highly efficient without significant toxicity in a mouse peritoneal tumor model, urging a Phase I clinical trial.

Animals↗

Locoregional alpha-radioimmunotherapy of intraperitoneal tumor cell dissemination using a tumor-specific monoclonal antibody.

PURPOSE: The locoregional application of tumor-specific antibodies conjugated with highly cytotoxic alpha-emitters is a promising new strategy for therapy of i.p. tumor cell dissemination. Using this approach, an antibody specifically targeting diffuse-type gastric cancer cells was coupled to the high linear energy transfer alpha-emitter (213)Bi for treatment of i.p. tumor cell spread in a nude mouse model. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Nude mice were inoculated with HSC45-M2 human gastric cancer cells expressing mutant d9-E-cadherin. Twenty-four h after cell inoculation, mice received i.p. injections of either (213)Bi-d9MAb specifically binding to mutant d9-E-cadherin of HSC45-M2 cells or unspecific (213)Bi-d8MAb (7.4 or 22.2 MBq). Survival of treated animals was monitored compared with controls that had been injected with nonlabeled monoclonal antibody (MAb) or saline. Toxicity was evaluated by WBC counts after injection of 1.85, 7.4, or 22.2 MBq and analysis of chromosomal aberrations of bone marrow cells after injection of 7.4, 14.8, or 22.2 MBq. RESULTS: Survival rates of control mice and of mice treated with (213)Bi-MAbs differed significantly: the mean survival of untreated controls and mice that were given the nonlabeled antibody was 23 and 26 days. After injection of 22.2 MBq of the specific (213)Bi-d9MAb or the unspecific (213)Bi-d8MAb, mean survival was at least 143 or 130 days, respectively. Treatment with 7.4 MBq of (213)Bi-d9MAb increased mean survival to at least 232 days and with (213)Bi-d8MAb to at least 172 days. WBC counts decreased within 2 days after (213)Bi-therapy but reached pretreatment values between day 14 and 21 after activity injection. Chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells could only be detected at day 1 after (213)Bi-therapy. The frequency of chromosomal damages increased depending on the applied (213)Bi-activity. CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic efficacy of the (213)Bi-d9MAb together with a low bone marrow toxicity support the locoregional therapy for that subgroup of diffuse-type gastric carcinoma patients expressing d9-E-cadherin.

Alpha Particles↗

In vitro cytotoxicity of (211)at-astatide and (131)I-iodide to glioma tumor cells expressing the sodium/iodide symporter.

UNLABELLED: The sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) has been identified as an attractive target for cancer therapy. The efficacy of (131)I-iodide for NIS-expressing tumor therapy may be limited by a combination of poor cellular retention and unfavorable physical characteristics (long physical half-life and low linear-energy-transfer [LET] radiative emissions). On the other hand, (211)At-astatide is also transported by NIS and offers several therapeutic advantages over (131)I-iodide due to its physical characteristics (short half-life, high LET alpha-particle emissions). The objective of this study was to directly compare the radiotoxicity of both radionuclides using a NIS-transfected cultured cell model. METHODS: Cytotoxicity was determined by colony-forming assays. Also, a first-order pharmacokinetic model was used to simulate the closed compartmental system between the medium and cells. Experimental data were then fitted to this model and used to estimate the transfer coefficients between medium and cells, k(m)(c), and between cells and medium, k(c)(m). Using the pharmacokinetic model, the cumulated activity concentrations in the medium and cells were calculated. Monte Carlo transport methods were then used to assess absorbed doses from (131)I and (211)At. RESULTS: (211)At-Astatide was significantly more cytotoxic than (131)I-iodide in this closed compartmental system. For (211)At-astatide, absorbed doses per unit administered activity were 54- to 65-fold higher than for (131)I-iodide. Both NIS-expressing and control cells showed increased sensitivity to (211)At over (131)I, with significantly lower D(0) (absorbed dose required to reduce the survival fraction to e(-1)) and SF(2) (2-Gy survival fraction) values, highlighting the higher intrinsic cytotoxicity of alpha-particles. However, NIS-independent (nonspecific) binding of (211)At-astatide was higher than that of (131)I-iodide, therefore, yielding a lower absorbed dose ratio between NIS-transfected and -nontransfected cells. CONCLUSION: Treatment of NIS-expressing cells with (211)At-astatide resulted in higher absorbed doses and increased cytotoxicity per unit administered activity than that observed with (131)I-iodide. These results suggest that (211)At-astatide may be a promising treatment strategy for the therapy of NIS-expressing tumors.

Astatine↗

Combination treatment with 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxy geldanamycin and acute irradiation produces supra-additive growth suppression in human prostate carcinoma spheroids.

Failure to control localized prostate cancer can result not only in localized disease progression but also distant metastatic spread. Whereas significant advances in both surgical technique and radiation therapy have improved local control rates with decreased morbidity, consistent long-term control remains elusive. This study investigates the potential of 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxy geldanamycin (17AAG), a geldanamycin derivative, to sensitize tumor cells to ionizing radiation, permitting a significant improvement to targeted radiotherapies of prostate carcinoma. As a monotherapeutic, 17AAG functions to modulate the action of heat shock protein 90, ultimately affecting a multitude of cellular signaling pathways. It is in Phase I trial and has shown promise in controlling prostate cancer progression. Human prostate tumor cells (LNCaP and CWR22Rv1) were grown as spheroids and incubated for 96 h with increasing doses of 17AAG immediately before and after 2 or 6 Gy low linear energy transfer (LET), high dose-rate irradiation (Cs-137 irradiator). Twelve or 24 spheroids (initial diameter, 150-200 microm) were used per experiment. Response was determined by spheroid volume measurements taken over at least 40 days, after treatment. Incubation of either cell line with 17AAG (<or=1000 nM) or irradiation (<or=6 Gy) alone resulted in transient median growth delays ranging from 2 to 9 days (relative to controls). Combining treatments produced dose- and cell line-dependent supra-additive responses. For LNCaP spheroids, the combination of 2 Gy and 100 nM 17AAG resulted in growth delays additive of the treatments individually; however, increasing either the radiation to 6 Gy or the 17AAG concentration to 1000 nM led to synergistic interactions. Similarly, synergy was noted in CWR22Rv1 studies at only 6 Gy and 1000 nM 17AAG. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) and Ki67 staining of spheroid sections revealed the increased growth control to be a function of spheroids failing to re-enter the cell cycle. For all 6 Gy experiments, cells remaining from each of the spheroids that failed to regrow were transferred to adherent dishes to evaluate clonogenicity; growth-controlled spheroids also failed to form colonies within 2 weeks of being plated. These results suggest that significant gains in treatment effectiveness may be obtained by combining these treatment modalities, warranting additional preclinical investigation.

Benzoquinones↗