Published in:
01-10-2016 | Original Article
Brachytherapy Using Elastin-Like Polypeptides with 131I Inhibit Tumor Growth in Rabbits with VX2 Liver Tumor
Published in: Digestive Diseases and Sciences | Issue 10/2016
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Background
Brachytherapy is a targeted type of radiotherapy utilized in the treatment of cancers. Elastin-like polypeptides are a unique class of genetically engineered peptide polymers that have several attractive properties for brachytherapy.
Aims
To explore the feasibility and application of brachytherapy for VX2 liver tumor using elastin-like polypeptides with 131I so as to provide reliable experimental evidence for a new promising treatment of liver cancer.
Methods
Elastin-like polypeptide as carrier was labeled with 131I using the iodogen method. Ten eligible rabbits with VX2 liver tumor were randomly divided into the treatment group (n = 5) and control group (n = 5). The treatment group received brachytherapy using elastin-like polypeptide with 131I, and in the control group, elastin-like polypeptide was injected into the VX2 liver tumor as a control. Periodic biochemical and imaging surveillances were required to assess treatment efficacy.
Results
The stability of elastin-like polypeptide with 131I in vitro was maintained at over 96.8 % for 96 h. Biochemistry and imaging indicated brachytherapy using elastin-like polypeptide with 131I for liver tumor can improve liver function and inhibit tumor growth (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Elastin-like polypeptide can be an ideal carrier of 131I and have high labeling efficiency, radiochemical purity and stability. Brachytherapy using elastin-like polypeptide with 131I for liver tumor is a useful therapy that possesses high antitumor efficacy advantages.