Regional radiochemotherapy using in situ hydrogel.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility of regional radiochemotherapy of mammary tumors using in situ hydrogel loaded with cisplatin (CDDP) and rhenium-188 ((188)Re).

METHODS

Sodium alginate (SA) and calcium chloride were used to create a hydrogel for delivery of CDDP and (188)Re. In vitro studies were performed to evaluate cytotoxic effects of (188)Re-hydrogel and sustained-release ability of the CDDP-hydrogel. Tumor-bearing rats were injected with (188)Re-hydrogel (0.5-1 mCi/rat), (188)Re-perrhenate (0.5-1 mCi/rat, intratumoral, I.T.), CDDP-hydrogel (3 mg/kg), and (188)Re-hydrogel loaded with CDDP (3 mg/kg body weight, 0.5-1 mCi/rat), respectively, and groups receiving (188)Re were imaged at 24 and 48 h postinjection. Tumor volume, body weight, imaging, and kidney function were assessed as required for each group.

RESULTS

Successful formation of the hydrogel was demonstrated by cytotoxic effects of (188)Re-hydrogel and slow release of CDDP-hydrogel in vitro. Tumor volume measurements showed significant delay in tumor growth in treated vs. control groups with minimal variation in normal kidney function for the CDDP-hydrogel group. Scintigraphic images indicated localization of (188)Re-hydrogel in the tumor site up to 48 h postinjection.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate the feasibility of using hydrogel for delivery of chemotherapeutics and radiation locally. This technique may have applications involving other contrast modalities as well as treatment in cases where tumors are inoperable.