Magnetically enhanced radionuclide therapy.
Radiopharmaceutical therapy is an increasingly common treatment for cancer. This therapy involves the injection of radiolabeled tumor-specific agents into the patient with subsequent preferential accumulation in the tumor sites. Particulate radiation (usually beta particles) emitted by the radioisotope kill or damage the tumor cells. The effectiveness of radiopharmaceutical therapy, however, is limited by the size of the tumor treated. Energetic particles can easily exist small tumors before they are able to deposit their energy and inflict significant damage.


METHODS
We propose the use of a static magnetic field to be applied after the radiopharmaceutical has localized in the tumors, constraining these particles to helical paths. This application would result in substantially confining the emitted particles within the tumor's boundaries, thus increasing radiation dose to the tumor.


RESULTS
Computer simulations of radionuclide treatments using 131I, 186Re and 90Y show that a magnetic field of 10 Tesla can increase the radiation dose achieved by conventional radionuclide therapy by up to 71%. In addition, total radiation dose to surrounding normal tissues is substantially reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnetically enhanced radionuclide therapy (MERiT) therefore shows promise as an effective treatment of cancer and warrants further study.
Raylman
R R
RR
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0552.
Wahl
R L
RL
D001610:Beta Particles; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008280:Magnetics; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012211:Rhenium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D011868:Radioisotopes; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes; D012211:Rhenium