Preparation of Holmium-166 Labelled Macroaggregates for radionuclide synovectomy.
BACKGROUND
Radionuclide synovectomy (radiation synovectomy) is an alternative method that cures patients with rheumatoid arthritis diseases without surgery. During treatment, the suspension of the (166)Ho-macroaggregates radioactive particles ((166)Ho-MA) is administrated via intra-articular injection into the target joint to destroy the inflamed synovium.


METHODS
The isotope of (166)Ho (E(beta) max = 1.84 MeV, T((1/2)) = 26.8 hr) was prepared by the (165)Ho(n, gamma)(166)Ho reaction in the LWR-15 nuclear reactor (8-10 MW) using approximate neutron flux 10(14) cm-2s-1.


RESULTS
The particles of Ho-Macroaggregates with suitable dimension 1-20 microm and the mean diameter of 8.5 microm were prepared. High in-vitro stability was obtained after incubation of neutron-irradiated Ho-Macroaggregates in saline solution (0.9% NaCl). The in-vivo stability on rats was verified as well.


CONCLUSIONS
High in-vivo and in-vitro stability as well as supporting gamma radiation of Ho-166 make the Macroaggregates a prospective agent for radionuclide synovectomy. The method of preparation is relatively easy and allows for the production of particles of a suitable dimension with a sufficient amount of radioactivity of Ho-166 for the treatment of the rheumatoid arthritis.
Nuclear Physics Institute, Czech Academy of Science, Rez, Czech Republic. kropacek@ujf.cas.cz
Martin
M
Kropácek
Frantisek
F
Melichar
Katerina
K
Henková
Marie
M
Konopková
D000418:Albumins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004355:Drug Stability; D006695:Holmium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007553:Isotope Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D051381:Rats; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000418:Albumins; D011868:Radioisotopes; C075321:macro aggregates of albumin; D006695:Holmium