phosphorus-radioisotopes and Brain-Neoplasms

Multi-modal MR-PET-EEG data acquisition in simultaneous mode confers a number of advantages at 3 T and 9.4 T. The three modalities complement each other well; structural-functional imaging being the domain of MRI, molecular imaging with specific tracers is the strength of PET, and EEG provides a temporal dimension where the other two modalities are weak. The utility of hybrid MR-PET at 3 T in a clinical setting is presented and critically discussed. The potential problems and the putative gains to be accrued from hybrid imaging at 9.4 T, with examples from the human brain, are outlined. Steps on the road to 9.4 T multi-modal MR-PET-EEG are also illustrated. From an MR perspective, the potential for ultra-high resolution structural imaging is discussed and example images of the cerebellum with an isotropic resolution of 320 μm are presented, setting the stage for hybrid imaging at ultra-high field. Further, metabolic imaging is discussed and high-resolution images of the sodium distribution are presented. Examples of tumour imaging on a 3 T MR-PET system are presented and discussed. Finally, the perspectives for multi-modal imaging are discussed based on two on-going studies, the first comparing MR and PET methods for the measurement of perfusion and the second which looks at tumour delineation based on MRI contrasts but the knowledge of tumour extent is based on simultaneously acquired PET data.

Topics: Algorithms; Animals; Astrocytoma; Brain Chemistry; Brain Neoplasms; Cerebellum; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Electroencephalography; Electromagnetic Fields; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neuroimaging; Oxygen Radioisotopes; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Positron-Emission Tomography; Sodium; Sodium Radioisotopes; Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed

In the past, we have clinically evaluated radiolabelled antibodies in Hodgkin's disease and hepatocellular cancer. Increased tumour pressure, reduced vascularity and poor diffusion has limited significant radiolabelled antibody tumour dose deposition. Using intratumoural infusion of macroaggregated albumin to blockade exiting vasculature followed by colloidal chromic 32Phosphorous, we have been able to achieve 75% to 100% tumour dose deposition by interstitial tumour infusion under computerised tomographic guidance. Phase I studies in a variety of solid tumours indicate extremely high doses may be achieved without toxicity (i.e. non-resectable pancreas 900,000 cGy to 1.7 million cGy) with tumour control and remission. This is a review of those studies and how the technique was applied.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Brachytherapy; Brain Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; Chromium; Colloids; Dexamethasone; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Injections, Intralesional; Liver Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radiography, Interventional; Radioimmunotherapy; Radiotherapy Dosage; Remission Induction; Serum Albumin; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The authors investigated the outcome of stereotactic biopsy and radiotherapy in 35 consecutive adult patients with nonanaplastic, nonpilocytic astrocytomas who were diagnosed between 1982 and 1992. The median patient age at presentation was 32 years. All received fractionated external-beam radiation therapy (median dose 56 Gy) as the initial management strategy. Additional treatment in two patients included intracavitary irradiation with colloidal phosphorus-32. Six patients (17%) had documented tumor progression during the follow-up interval and died. Three others died of causes unrelated to their tumor. Median survival after stereotactic biopsy and irradiation was 118 months (9.8 years). Median survival from the time of onset of neurological symptoms was 148 months (12.3 years). Only three patients required delayed cytoreductive surgery. The outcome of brain astrocytomas, although improved because of earlier diagnosis and therapy, does not substantiate this tumor as having benign behavior; early recognition with neuroimaging, immediate histological diagnosis via stereotactic biopsy, and initial fractionated radiation therapy may provide the potential for longer survival for patients with low-grade astrocytomas. The majority of such surviving patients have a satisfactory quality of life, which is manifested by prolonged normal functional and employment status. The survival data reported in this prospective Phase I-II clinical trial suggest that stereotactic biopsy and radiation therapy are appropriate initial management strategies for astrocytomas.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Astrocytoma; Biopsy; Brachytherapy; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Combined Modality Therapy; Craniotomy; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Karnofsky Performance Status; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Quality of Life; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; Stereotaxic Techniques; Survival Analysis

Radiation therapy plays a major role in the management of patients with either locally recurrent or metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.. In 23 patients with isolated postprostatectomy local recurrences treated with doses of 60-65 Gy, 17 (74%) had tumor control, and 45% survived relapse-free for 5 years after treatment of the recurrence. Pelvic irradiation has been used to treat patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels after radical prostatectomy. This was tried, and 17 of 24 patients (70%) showed a significant decrease in PSA levels after irradiation, in five without subsequent elevation. Two of the seven patients with elevated PSA levels later had distant metastases. Local irradiation has been reported to yield excellent relief of symptoms in 100% of patients with hematuria, 80% with urinary outflow obstruction, and 50-70% with ureteral obstruction or pelvic pain secondary to locally advanced prostatic carcinoma. Reirradiation, particularly with brachytherapy (in preliminary studies combined with hyperthermia) has been used in the management of postirradiation prostatic recurrences with satisfactory tumor regression in approximately 75% of patients. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) reported on the palliative effects of external irradiation on patients with bony metastasis. Approximately 54% of such patients had complete relief, and 29% had partial relief of bone pain. However, the retreatment rate of the bony metastasis was lower in the patients receiving higher doses. In a RTOG protocol in which all patients received local irradiation for osseous metastases, 77 were randomized to receive elective hemibody irradiation and 69, local treatment only. The frequency of additional treatment at 1 year was lower in the hemibody irradiation group (54% versus 78%). Occasionally, brain, mediastinal, or liver metastasis can be treated with irradiation. Radioactive phosphorus-32 or strontium-89 has been administered for disseminated bony metastasis with improvement of bone pain in approximately 70-80% of treated patients.. The role of irradiation in the treatment of spinal cord compression is discussed. Significant improvement of neurologic function has been reported in 36-60% of the patients, depending on severity of deficit and promptness in instituting emergency treatment.

Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Brachytherapy; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatectomy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radioisotopes; Radiotherapy Dosage; Rhenium; Spinal Cord Compression; Strontium Radioisotopes

(32)P is a pure beta-emitter that has a depth of penetration of 2-3 mm and can be useful in the treatment of cystic lesions. Its effectiveness in the treatment of a selected brain tumor is illustrated here.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Basal Ganglia; Biopsy; Brachytherapy; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Colloids; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Instillation, Drug; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted

Intracavity instillation of beta-emitting colloid pharmaceuticals is a common technique used to treat cystic brain tumors. Most of the dosimetric calculations that have been reported in the literature for this problem are based on empirical formulas derived by Loevinger. Concentration of P-32 radiolabeled solution for the delivery of a prescribed dose (200 Gy to the cyst wall) has been published previously using this formalism in what we refer to as a standard nomogram. The calculations using the Loevinger formulas for calculating the P-32 activity necessary to achieve 200 Gy at the cyst wall is re-evaluated and compared to numerically computed results based on full Monte Carlo simulations (EGSnrc) and the dose-point-kernel (DPK) integration method. For cyst diameters greater than 1 cm, the new calculations agree well with previously published results (the standard nomogram) to within a few percents. However, for cyst diameters of less than 1 cm, it is shown that the standard nomogram results underestimate the therapeutic activity by a factor of approximately 3 for very small diameters (approximately 0.2 cm). New tables based on our calculations are presented and the sources of discrepancies are identified. It is concluded that the new set of data based on our calculations should replace the standard nomogram to administer accurately the target dose to the cyst wall for the smaller diameter cysts (< 1 cm).

Topics: Beta Particles; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Wall; Central Nervous System Cysts; Colloids; Computer Simulation; Humans; Models, Biological; Models, Statistical; Monte Carlo Method; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radiometry; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Radiotherapy Dosage; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; Relative Biological Effectiveness; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity

The dosimetry for radiocolloid therapy of cystic craniopharyngiomas is investigated. Analytical calculations based on the Loevinger and the Berger formulas for electrons and photons, respectively, are compared with Monte Carlo simulations. The role of the material of which the colloid introduced inside the craniopharyngioma is made of as well as that forming the cyst wall is analyzed. It is found that the analytical approaches provide a very good description of the simulated data in the conditions where they can be applied (i.e., in the case of a uniform and infinite homogeneous medium). However, the consideration of the different materials and interfaces produces a strong reduction of the dose delivered to the cyst wall in relation to that predicted by the Loevinger and the Berger formulas.

Topics: Beta Particles; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Wall; Central Nervous System Cysts; Colloids; Computer Simulation; Craniopharyngioma; Humans; Models, Biological; Models, Statistical; Monte Carlo Method; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Pituitary Neoplasms; Radioisotopes; Radiometry; Radiopharmaceuticals; Radiotherapy Dosage; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; Relative Biological Effectiveness; Reproducibility of Results; Rhenium; Sensitivity and Specificity

Malignant gliomas have been associated with a high rate of glycolytic activity which is believed necessary to sustain cellular function and integrity. Since lonidamine (LND) is believed to reduce tumor glucose utilization by inhibition of the mitochondrially-bound glycolytic enzyme hexokinase (HK), 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to noninvasively follow the effects of LND on both tumor pH and the high-energy phosphate metabolites: ATP, phosphocreatine (PCr) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) in subcutaneous rat 9L gliosarcomas. 31P tumor spectra acquired in 5 min intervals pre- and post LND administration of 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p. revealed an acidotic pH shift of -0.25 and -0.45 pH units, respectively within 30 min post administration. The ATP/Pi ratio of 9L tumors decreased to 40% of control and Pi levels increased to 280% of control over a 3 hr period. LND exerted no effect on tumor blood flow and mean arterial blood pressure. Brain and muscle metabolite levels and pH were also unaffected by LND. In vitro measurements of cultured 9L tumor cell intra- and extracellular lactate, pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and hexokinase (HK) activities suggest that the mode of action of LND involves inhibition of lactate efflux and intracellular acidification. The selective reduction of tumor energy metabolites and pH by LND may be exploitable for sensitizing gliomas to radiation, chemotherapy or hyperthermia.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Brain Neoplasms; Gliosarcoma; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Indazoles; Injections, Subcutaneous; Intracellular Fluid; Lactic Acid; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Male; Muscle Neoplasms; Neoplasm Transplantation; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Thigh

DNA from human brain tumor samples was analysed by the 32P-postlabeling technique for the presence of aromatic DNA adducts. Thirteen out of 16 samples showed low levels of adducts at 0.14-3.53 adducts per 10(9) nucleotides. Inter-individual variations in the patterns of these aromatic adducts were observed. On the other hand, none of 5 brain samples from epilepsy patients revealed any evidence of such adducts. The data demonstrated the presence of low level, large molecule aromatic DNA adducts in malignant brain tissues and these adducts may either result from environmental exposure to an undetermined genotoxic agent or from the aging process.

Topics: Adenoma; Adult; Aged; Brain Chemistry; Brain Neoplasms; Carcinogens; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; DNA Damage; DNA, Neoplasm; Epilepsy; Female; Glioma; Humans; Male; Meningioma; Middle Aged; Neurilemmoma; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Pituitary Neoplasms; Polycyclic Compounds

Fourty-three primary cerebral lymphomas (PCL) were histologically classified and examined for genome expression of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and human herpes virus 6 (HHV6) using dot blotting, polymerase chain reaction, and Southern blotting. Only 20 tumors (16 high grade and 4 low grade lymphomas) could be suitably placed into a category of the Updated Kiel Classification, whereas the non-classified 23 tumors were highly malignant B-lymphomas and referred to as small-cell (SC) or large-cell (LC) blastic PCL. Most of the LC PCL showed a tumor-like infiltration pattern with high cellular density and little remaining parenchyma, whereas the SC PCL more often showed an inflammation-like pattern characterized by loose arrangement of tumor cells and marked astrocytic, microglial and T-lymphocytic reaction. EBV genome was found in 3/3 AIDS cases, but in none of 40 immunocompetent cases, while HHV6 was detected in 2 tumors of immunocompetent patients. We conclude that (1) the Updated Kiel Classification is not applicable to a majority of PCL, and (2) EBV and HHV6 do not appear to play a major role in the pathogenesis of PCL in immunocompetent subjects.

Topics: Autopsy; Autoradiography; Biopsy; Blotting, Southern; Brain Neoplasms; Genome, Viral; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Herpesvirus 6, Human; Humans; Inflammation; Lymphoma; Lymphoma, AIDS-Related; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Polymerase Chain Reaction

To suppress cyst formation in 42 brain tumors, 32P has been stereotactically instilled in doses calculated to deliver 20,000-40,000 rad to the cyst wall, assuming uniform dispersal of the radioisotope. However, samples of cyst fluid obtained at varying intervals after injection showed lower than expected activity levels, suggesting early 'plating' of 32P. To accommodate this phenomenon, a surface-area-dependent dosimetric calculation is compared with a volume-dependent calculation which assumes uniform dispersal. These two approaches represent lower and upper extremes. It appears that in small cysts there is less difference in the required administered dose, but in larger cysts potentially very large differences exist and caution should be exercised if uniform suspension is assumed.

Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Chromium; Chromium Compounds; Colloids; Cysts; Glioma; Humans; Phosphates; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radiosurgery; Stereotaxic Techniques

The authors report on 40 brain tumor patients treated with CT-guided stereotactic injection of 198Au and 32P. Among the 40 cases were astrocytoma in 23 cases, craniopharyngioma in 9, meningioma in 4, pituitary adenoma in 2, and pinealoma and metastatic carcinoma each in 1 case. The tumors were all located in deep or important areas of the brain which were difficult to deal with by conventional operation. 62 injections of colloidal isotopes were performed, and all were successful. No major adverse effects or complications occurred on follow-up of 6-12 months, 28 patients were improved in their clinical symptoms, and CT scanning showed that the tumor sizes were diminished. The effective rate is 70%.

Topics: Adenoma; Adult; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Craniopharyngioma; Female; Gold Radioisotopes; Humans; Male; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Pinealoma; Pituitary Neoplasms; Radiosurgery; Stereotaxic Techniques; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

140 patients with brain tumor were treated by CT-guided stereotactic injections of radionuclides, such as Aurum-198 (198 Au), Phosphorus-32 (32 P) and Yttrium-90 (90Y). Of these patients aged from 3 to 67 years (average 37), 64 were male and 76 female. Astrocytoma was found in 75 patients, craniopharyngioma in 46, metastatic carcinoma in 7, meningioma in 5, germinoma in 4 and pituitary adenoma in 3. The tumors were located in the deep part or functionally critical area of the brain. After 267 times of injection of colloidal isotopes, no major adverse effects or complications occurred. Follow-up for 6 to 48 months showed improvement in symptoms in 104 (74.3%) patients and CT scanning showed the diminished tumors.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Astrocytoma; Brachytherapy; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Craniopharyngioma; Female; Glioblastoma; Gold Radioisotopes; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Stereotaxic Techniques; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Yttrium Radioisotopes

Fourteen children aged 1 week to 16 years, with a variety of large or superficial brain tumors, underwent localized in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of their tumor. Quantitative spectral analysis was performed by measuring the area under individual peaks using a computer algorithm. In eight patients with histologically benign tumors the spectra were considered to be qualitatively indistinguishable from normal brain. The phosphocreatine/inorganic phosphate ratio (PCr/Pi) averaged 2.0. Five patients had histologically malignant tumors; qualitatively, four of these were considered to have abnormal spectra, showing a decrease in the PCr peak. The PCr/Pi ratio for this group averaged 0.85, which was significantly lower than that seen in the benign tumor group (p less than 0.05). No difference between the two groups was seen in adenosine triphosphate or phosphomonoesters. It is concluded that a specific metabolic "fingerprint" for childhood brain tumors may not exist, but that some malignant tumors show a pattern suggestive of ischemia.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Adolescent; Brain Chemistry; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Phosphates; Phosphocreatine; Phosphorus Radioisotopes

In a series of 60 patients 62 intraoperative measurements with the 32-P (radiophosphorus) tumour marker were performed. Using miniature semiconductor probes a reliable discrimination between normal brain and neoplastic tissue was possible in nearly all brain tumours. The best results were found in meningiomas, where even small, visually hardly discernible tumour resides within the matrix zone could be reliably detected. Only in low-grade gliomas the application of the 32-P marker was impossible due to count rates similar to or below the basic rates of normal brain. This simple to use, non-invasive method proved its usefulness in all situations where a local radical tumour removal was important.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Brain Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Male; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; Phosphorus Radioisotopes

Cyst formation by astrocytomas can cause progressive neurological deficit and can necessitate multiple surgical procedures. Before the advent of computed tomography (CT) preoperative diagnosis of cystic astrocytomas was difficult and stereotactic management of these lesions was limited. CT-guided stereotaxy provides a safe approach to all cystic astrocytomas including brain stem lesions. Based upon the experience of intracavitary radiation of craniopharyngioma cysts, the authors treated nine patients presenting with cystic astrocytomas utilizing colloidal chromium phosphorus 32 (32P). Control of cyst formation was achieved in eight patients. Our preliminary data suggest that intracavitary 32P may provide a significant adjunctive therapy in the management of cystic astrocytomas.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Stereotaxic Techniques

Topics: Brain; Brain Edema; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Hydrogen; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Sodium Radioisotopes

Magnetic resonance (MR) image-guided phosphorus-31 MR spectra have been obtained from in situ brain tumors. The volumes of interest used for spectroscopy were defined from hydrogen-1 MR images. Direct comparisons were possible between normal and abnormal tissue, since P-31 spectra from different parts of the brain could be measured in a single examination. P-31 MR spectra of the tumors often showed abnormally high concentrations of phosphomonoesters and low concentrations of phosphocreatines. The effects of pharmacotherapy and radiation therapy were studied in three patients; in each of these cases changes were observed in the P-31 spectra of the tumor. The correlation between MR imaging and P-31 MR spectroscopy was essential for the interpretations of these results.

Topics: Brain; Brain Neoplasms; Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Phosphorus; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Spectrum Analysis

The bioenergetic state of 15 human tumours was examined with phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A striking diversity in metabolic patterns was observed, and significant differences from normal tissue were seen in all cases. A common feature was an elevation of intracellular pH, which may be related to an increase in Na+/H+ exchange during cell activation. It is unlikely that the patterns observed directly correlate with malignancy, but characterisation of the energetic state of a given tumour in a given physiological environment may help in the design and evaluation of interventions for that specific case.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Brain Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Liver Neoplasms; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Spectrum Analysis

Topics: Brachytherapy; Brain Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Male; Phosphorus Radioisotopes

Instillation of [32P]chromic phosphate to cystic brain tumors was performed in six patients. Three patients had craniopharyngioma, two had Grade IV astrocytoma and one had Grade II astrocytoma. The cyst volumes ranged from 2 to 44 cc. A calculated dose of 20,000 rad was delivered to the cyst wall. The [32P]chromic phosphate dose given to achieve this dose ranged from 0.11 mCi to 2.5 mCi. Radionuclide leakage was not detected in either the central nervous system or the reticuloendothelial system by bremsstrahlung scanning. Stereotactic instillation was done in some cases, others had indwelling catheters. The frequency of cyst fluid aspiration in the three patients with craniopharyngioma decreased postinstillation. In the two patients with Grade IV astrocytoma, reductions in both the CT documented cyst size as well as the frequency of cyst aspiration were noted. We conclude that [32P]chromic phosphate installation by stereotactic or indwelling catheter method is a safe and helpful procedure in the management of cystic brain tumors.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Brain Neoplasms; Craniopharyngioma; Female; Glioblastoma; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Pituitary Neoplasms

Ten patients with intracranial cystic tumors underwent stereotactic intracavitary irradiation using 32P colloidal chromic phosphate. Accurate dosimetry (25,000-30,000 rad to the cast wall) was achieved by volume estimation using computed tomography. Between 1 and 15 months after surgery both craniopharyngioma and astrocytoma cysts regressed. Neurological, visual, and endocrinological deficits either stabilized or improved. Intracavitary irradiation should be the primary method of treating solitary cystic tumors of the brain.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Chromium; Chromium Compounds; Colloids; Craniopharyngioma; Cysts; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphates; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Pituitary Neoplasms; Stereotaxic Techniques

A method for the intraoperative detection of brain tumor propagation is described. Based on the well-known radiophosphorus test, a very sensitive semiconductor probe was tested in 16 brain tumor operations. With this miniaturized sensor, the beta-emission of 32P could be measured with a high topographical resolution. Especially in high-grade gliomas, in meningiomas and in metastases a good discrimination of normal and tumor-infiltrated tissue was possible. The perspectives of a technical improvement of this method and the application of more specific tumor markers are discussed.

Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Female; Glioma; Humans; Male; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma; Middle Aged; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radionuclide Imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Randerath's procedure for 32P postlabeling of 3'-monophosphate deoxyribonucleotides from digests of cellular DNA has been modified. 3'-Monophosphate deoxyribonucleotides are converted to 3',5'-bis[32P]phosphate deoxyribonucleotides with polynucleotide kinase and [32P]ATP; these products are enzymatically converted by P1 nuclease and polynucleotide kinase into 5'-[32P]monophosphate deoxyribonucleotides, which are separated from [32P]ATP on an anion-exchange column eluted with 0.1 M NaH2PO4, pH 6.5. Labeled mononucleotides in the effluent are separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Values for the base composition of calf thymus DNA determined with this modified assay compare very favorably with reported values. The assay was used to measure the level of incorporation of the clinically useful agent bromodeoxyuridine into the DNA of 9L rat brain tumor cells. The modified assay appears to be a very accurate method for the determination of levels of base analogs incorporated into DNA.

Topics: Animals; Brain Neoplasms; Bromodeoxyuridine; Cattle; Cell Line; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Chromatography, Ion Exchange; DNA; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Rats; Thymus Gland

Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Craniopharyngioma; Glioma; Humans; Meningioma; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radionuclide Imaging; Sella Turcica; Semiconductors

Since a marked clinical improvement has been reported following chromic phosphate treatment in recurrent craniopharyngioma, we have attempted to study the in vitro cellular changes of two craniopharyngiomas maintained in organ culture system and subsequently treated with colloidal chronic phosphate. When incubated for 24 and 48 hours respectively, at a concentration of 10 muCi/ml. of colloidal 32P, only vacuolar degeneration and hyperchromasia of the tumor cells have been observed. When incubated with 50 muCi/ml. for 24 hours, further cellular degeneration and focal necrosis begin to appear. Up to 48 hours after 50 muCi/ml. obvious necrosis and extensive degeneration become apparent. Autoradiography confirms the fact that radioactive material is absorbed by the tumor cells. Brain tumors when maintained in an organ culture system may serve as a useful model for the evaluation of the effects of various chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic agents in vitro.

Topics: Adult; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Chromium; Colloids; Craniopharyngioma; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Female; Humans; Male; Organ Culture Techniques; Phosphorus Radioisotopes

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contains two groups of proteins that bind tightly to DNA and to polyriboguanylic acid, respectively. In certain diseases the amounts of a given nucleic acid bound by a constant volume of CSF may increase, while in others the amount of such proteins may be reduced. Binding of polyriboguanylic acid increased in CSF samples from patients with brain tumors, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and communicating hydrocephalus, but it significantly decreased in CSF samples from patients with obstructive hydrocephalus. These increases may or may not be proportional to the rise in total CSF proteins characteristic for these diseases. Elevated binding of DNA was observed in samples from patients with hydrocephalus, epilepsy, and cortical atrophy. The technique described may be applicable to the diagnosis of a variety of diseases of the central nervous system.

Topics: Alcoholism; Astrocytoma; Brain Diseases; Brain Injuries; Brain Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Child, Preschool; DNA; Epilepsy; Female; Guanine Nucleotides; Headache; Humans; Hydrocephalus; Meningioma; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Neurilemmoma; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Polynucleotides; Protein Binding; Schizophrenia; Tritium

Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Neoplasms; Phosphorus; Phosphorus Radioisotopes

Topics: Brain; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Neoplasms; Phosphorus; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Stereotaxic Techniques

By tests using radioactive iodine combined with diiodofluorescein, the site of tumors was correctly determined in 61 per cent of 39 cases of tumors of the cerebral hemispheres. In 19 cases where the focal radioactivity was increased 24 per cent or more over that of the surrounding area, there were no errors in localization. Fifteen patients with expanding intracranial lesions were tested at operation with radioactive phosphorus and 14 lesions were correctly localized. This procedure in which the needle probe was used was found of great value in rapidly locating and outlining the area of involvement.

Topics: Brain; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Iodine; Iodine Radioisotopes; Meridians; Phosphorus; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Phosphorus, Dietary; Radioisotopes

Topics: Brain; Brain Neoplasms; Phosphorus; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Phosphorus, Dietary; Physiological Phenomena; Radioactivity

Topics: Brain; Brain Neoplasms; Disease Management; Humans; Phosphorus; Phosphorus Radioisotopes

Topics: Brain; Brain Neoplasms; Phosphorus; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radioactivity

Topics: Brain; Brain Mapping; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Neoplasms; Phosphorus; Phosphorus Radioisotopes