THE USE OF RADIATING MICROSPHERES IN THE TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL AND HUMAN MALIGNANCY
A method is described for delivering a cancerocidal agent via blood vessels to a tumor zone by the use of ceramic microspheres of uniform size containing cationic radioisotopes with specific activities as high as 10/sup 4/ C/ g. Microspheres containing Sc/sup 46/, a strong gamma emitter, were used for tracer studies because of its convenient half life (85 days) and ease of detection. The spheres used were of uniform diameter (80 plus or minus 5 mu ) and specific gravity, and their specific activity was 1 mu C/mg. Microspheres containing Y/sup 90/ were used in the range of 0.1 to 1 mC/mg. Distribution of radioactive spheres in the lungs of dogs was uniform when injection was made into a peripheral vein. Spill-over of radioactivity into the general circulation was less than 5%, so for practical purposes this method represents a therapeutic agent which is taken up completely by the first capillary bed encountered. The normal dog liver tolerates doses of internal radiation from Y/sup 90/ microspheres up to and including 100 mC in a single dose with only transient dysfunction, Y/sup 90/ microspheres given to simulate adjuvant therapy had a beneficial effect on the growth of V2 carcinoma in the rabbit lung. Y/sup 90/ microspheres were used to treat 17 patients. Objective improvemert was obtained in 8 patients. It is suggested that response to this therapy and chemotherapy is related to vascularity of the tumor. Massive doses of radiation (up to 100000 rad) can be given to a local area by this method without danger of bone marrow depression or general debility. (P.C.H.)
- Research Organization:
- Ancker Hospital, St. Paul
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-010288
- OSTI ID:
- 4738902
- Journal Information:
- Surgery (U.S.), Vol. Vol: 52; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
EMBOLIZATION OF DOG PROSTATES WITH YTTRIUM-90 MICROSPHERES
Pathologic response and microdosimetry of {sup 90}Y microspheres in man: Review of four explanted whole livers