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March N3, 2005 “Scientific American” (Russian version)
LABORATORY

NUCLEAR REACTOR AGAINST CANCER

Igor Potyomkin

New methods of spontaneous melanoma treatment in dogs and some other oncological diseases are developed in Russia

International scientific and technical center project N1951 is developed for creation of experimental base on nuclear reactor of MIPHI for preclinical study of neutron-capture therapy (NCT) technology in spontaneous melanoma treatment in dogs.

Animal preparation for irradiation in box.

NCT – is a type of radiotherapy with neutrons of nuclear reactor. Researcher command was created from representatives of MIPHI, State Scientific Center “Institute of biophysics” and ОSC RAMN. The experimental base is presented with irradiation box for neutrons beams equipped by a mobile table for patient fixation, communications for medication supply, patient control system, real-time control monitor for patient physiological status. All information comes on operator monitors located outside box.

THE SCHEME OF OSTEOSARCOMA TREATMENT IN DOGS

Intravenous medicine injection 16BPA-F (300 mg/kg)
Surgical removal of bone fragment with osteosarcoma
Implantation of bone fragment on former place
Bone fragment transportation in container (-10ºC) on reactor MIPHI (20 minutes)
Bone fragment irradiation in neutron beams

The studies were made on cellular and organismic level. Our early developed magnetic-resonant medication with gadolinium — Dipentast and barium esters 10 [B] barium-L- phenylalanine with monosaccharides (ВРА) prepared directly before their application from 10 [B] barium-L- phenylalanine were used.

NCT technologies allow to affect tumour cells selectively. The results of preclinical studies illustrate NCT efficiency for intorted tumours and spontaneous melanoma in dogs. In 80% of cases their full regress was achieved.

Researchers consider that NCT use is reasonable in combination with surgery when irradiation of target tumour in body is impossible because of radiation injury of vital organs. Is it possible to keep viability of healthy tissues of implant during NCT? Is it possible to avoid metastases? Results of last studies allow to give positive answer to these questions. Osteosarcoma was diagnosed in the wing of right iliac bone in 11-year dog by X-ray, cytology and histology. The diagnosis has been confirmed by radionuclide scintigraphy. Metastases of other bony departments are not found. The combination of chemotherapy before and after NCT with ВРА in dose of 300 mg/kg, surgical removal of bone fragment with its subsequent irradiation by thermal neutron beams of reactor during 90 minutes, implantation of irradiated bone on its place has resulted in complete treatment. Survey period of animal status is 6 months. In 2,5 months tumoral cells are not founded in biopsy tests. Dog well-being is satisfactory, according to radiographic examinations implant adherence with bone system confirming healthy tissue viability of irradiated fragment is observed.

Professor Otto Harling (Massachusetts Technology Institute, USA) noted that Russian scientists have developed perspective technologies of melanoma treatment based on direct medication injection in tumour artery, and also osteosarcoma control by barium-neutron-capture therapy (BNCT) of removed tumoral bone with subsequent reimplantation. Results reveal its practical application for treatment of osteosarcoma of different localization.

Irradiation box on nuclear reactor of MIPHI

This year the specialists of Moscow Engineering and Physics Institute, State Science Centre “Institute of biophysics” and Blokhin Oncological Center have made the 28th surgery — irradiation of tumour in dog suffering inoperable neb melanoma — a method of neutron-capture therapy on nuclear reactor of MIPHI. Irradiation session lasts one and half hour, all this time anaesthesiologist controls dog status. Before irradiation special medication containing barium was injected into tumour (neutrons radiated by reactor aim only tumour cells saturated by this element). Thus, neutron-capture therapy is more sparing method than traditional irradiation methods.

Magazine edition board thanks International scientific and technical center for help in material preparation and illustrations.