thorium-x and Neoplasms

We developed a new method of brachytherapy, termed diffusing alpha-emitters radiation therapy (DaRT), based on the use of intratumoral (224)Ra-loaded wires, which release short-lived alpha-emitting atoms by recoil. Here, we examined their ability to destroy and control the development of several human-derived tumors implanted in athymic mice.. The experiments were performed on athymic mice bearing malignant human-derived tumors including prostate (PC-3), glioblastoma (GBM, U87-MG), colon (HCT15), squamous cell carcinoma (FaDu) and melanoma (C32). One or more (224)Ra-loaded wires were inserted into the tumors, and mice were assessed for tumor growth rate and survival.. In vivo studies showed that DaRT can effectively destroy the tumors, and in vitro tests confirmed the sensitivity of the studied cells to alpha particles. While the C32 cells were relatively resistant, other tumor types (e.g. HCT15) exhibited sensitivity in both measured aspects.. DaRT could potentially be combined with chemotherapy or other treatment modalities to effectively treat non-resectable tumors.

Topics: Alpha Particles; Animals; Brachytherapy; Cell Growth Processes; Cell Line, Tumor; Colonic Neoplasms; Glioblastoma; Humans; Injections, Intralesional; Male; Melanoma; Mice; Mice, Nude; Neoplasms; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radium; Random Allocation; Thorium; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

For over five decades, osteochondromas (exostoses) and associated growth retardation have been known to be caused by radiation damage to the growing skeleton. Patients can be divided into three exposure groups. Group I received external beam radiation therapy primarily for the treatment of childhood cancers (typical dose 3,500 cGy), and 6-20% developed osteochondromas and growth retardation within the radiation portal. Group II consists of recently described patients who received total body irradiation in preparation for bone marrow transplant (typical dose: 800-1,200 cGy), and about 20% developed osteochondromas and growth retardation. Group III consists of 206 German children who in the 1940s and early 1950s received intravenous radioactive Peteosthor (Ra-224) to treat bone tuberculosis (estimated typical dose: 1,000-2,000 cGy), and 14% developed osteochondromas and growth retardation, among other benign and malignant sequelae. Combining these three exposure groups, osteochondromas and growth retardation develop in at least 6-20% of children who receive therapeutic radiation to their growing skeletons.

Topics: Bone and Bones; Bone Development; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Bone Neoplasms; Child; Growth Disorders; Humans; Infant; Neoplasms; Osteochondroma; Radiation Dosage; Radiopharmaceuticals; Radiotherapy; Radium; Thorium; Transplantation Conditioning; Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular; Whole-Body Irradiation

Topics: Animal Experimentation; Animals; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor; Female; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Humans; Neoplasms; Radium; Thorium

Topics: Child; Gonads; Hemangioma; Humans; Lacquer; Neoplasms; Radiation Genetics; Radiotherapy Dosage; Radium; Thorium

Topics: Bone and Bones; Bone Neoplasms; Humans; Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced; Osteosarcoma; Radiation Injuries; Radium; Sarcoma; Thorium

Topics: Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Face; Facial Neoplasms; Forehead; Humans; Neoplasms; Radium; Thorium

Topics: Arthritis; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Neoplasms; Radium; Thorium