Title:Experimental Research on a Novel Iodine-125 Seed Strand Connected Using Magnesium Alloy AZ31
Volume: 9
Issue: 2
Author(s): Chuanxing Li, Yanling Zhang, Dong Chen, Guangfeng Duan, Zhenyin Liu, Liang Zhang, Guang Yang, Tao Zhang, Ming-jian Lu, Sristi Singh, Weidong Zhang and Fujun Zhang
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Biodegradation, brachytherapy, magnesium alloy AZ31, Monte Carlo simulations, radioactive iodine-125, VX2
tumors.
Abstract: Background and Purpose: Aim of this research is to study the in vivo degradation and biocompatibility in rabbits
and the dose distribution of novel iodine-125 seed strands connected using magnesium alloy AZ31. Method: Thirtythree
New Zealand rabbits were divided into three Groups (A, B, and C). All rabbits in Groups A and C were implanted
with VX2 tumors. For Group A, radioactive iodine-125 seed strands were implanted into the VX2 tumors. For Group B,
non-radioactive iodine-125 seed strands were implanted into thigh muscle. Rabbits in Group C were used as controls. Displacement
of the seed strands was assessed using X-ray and CT. Blood and urine samples were collected from all groups
to measure changes in magnesium ion concentrations. The changing effect of alloy AZ31 tube according to dose
distribution of iodine-125 was evaluated using the Monte Carlo method. Results: In Groups A and B, 14 days after implantation,
majority of the magnesium alloy tubes were fragmented, and 28 days after implantation, the magnesium alloy
tubes were completely degraded. Small differences in dose distribution were observed between bare iodine-125 seeds and
iodine-125 seed strands. Conclusions: Our results suggest that these novel iodine-125 seed strands connected using magnesium
alloy AZ31 are promising anti-cancer drug for brachytherapy due to the rapid degradation of connective materials
and even distribution of seed doses in tumors. Some recent patents are also outlined in this article.
