Radioisotopes Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Radioisotopes, including details on radioimmunotherapy, radionuclides, procedures, hazards.

Determination of biological vector characteristics and nanoparticle dimensions for radioimmunotherapy with radioactive nanoparticles.

Nuttens VE, Wéra AC, Bouchat V, Lucas S

Laboratoire d'Analyses par Réactions Nucléaires (LARN), University of Namur, 61 Rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium. vincent.nuttens@fundp.ac.be

Radioimmunotherapy with biological vector labeled with radioactive nanoparticles is investigated from a dosimetric point of view. Beta (32P, 90Y) and low-energy X-ray radionuclides (103Pd) are considered. Dose distributions inside solid tumors have been calculated using MCNPX 2.5.0. Nanoparticle dimensions and biological vector characteristics are also determined in order to reach the 50 Gy prescribed dose inside the entire tumor volume. The worst case of an avascular tumor is considered. Results show that for beta-emitting nanoparticles, a set of data (covering fraction, biological half-life, and nanoparticle radius) can be found within acceptable ranges (those of classical radioimmunotherapy). These sources (with Emax approximately few MeV) can be used for the treatment of tumors with a maximum diameter of about 1 cm. Low-energy X-rays (E<25 keV) can be used to extend the range of tumor diameter to 4-5 cm but require very tight biological vector characteristics.

Published 21 December 2007 in Appl Radiat Isot, 66(2): 168-72.
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