Abstract
Tumors like glioblastoma are inaccessible due to blood brain barrier. The permeability of radioisotopes can be improved by conjugating them with nanoparticles. The most common malignant adult brain tumor is glioblastoma, which has very poor patient prognosis. The mean survival for highly proliferative glioblastoma is only 10–14 months despite an aggressive radiotherapy and chemotherapy following debulking surgery. β− particle emitters like 131I, 90Y, 186/188Re, and 177Lu have been coupled with nanoparticles and used for treatment of glioblastoma. These radiopharmaceutical compounds have resulted in a stabilization and improvement of the neurological status with minimal side effects. Similarly, α particle emitters like 213Bi, 211At, and 225Ac are an innovative and interesting alternative. Alpha particles deliver a high proportion of their energy inside the targeted cells within a few micrometers from the emission point versus several millimeters for β− particles. Thus, α particles are highly efficient in killing tumor cells with minimal irradiation of healthy tissues and permits targeting of isolated tumor cells. This has been confirmed by subsequent clinical trials which showed better therapeutic efficacy and minimal side effects, thus opening a new and promising era for glioblastoma medical care using α therapy.
Highlights
To obtain specific irradiation of tumor cells, radioactivity is attached to a pharmaceutical molecule that binds to specific molecules expressed on the target tumor cells
Nanoparticles could be substrates of transport mechanisms enhancing the passage of specific molecules like glucose transporters (GLUT)-1, IGF-1, and IGF-2 across the BBB [21]
An urgent requirement for rapid detection and diagnosis of diseases has led to development of contrast agents and imaging techniques
Summary
To obtain specific irradiation of tumor cells, radioactivity is attached to a pharmaceutical molecule that binds to specific molecules expressed on the target tumor cells. Alpha particles deliver a high fraction of their energy inside the targeted cells, leading to highly efficient killing. This makes them suitable for targeting cells of isolated tumor and minimal residual disease [2, 3]. They are capable of delivering high amount of their energy within few micrometers close to their emission point in comparison to some few millimeters for β− particles. The α particles have been found highly efficient in killing tumor cells with minimal irradiation of healthy tissues and permits targeting of isolated tumor cells [1, 5]
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