Nano-Targeting of Thyrointegrin αvβ3 Receptor in Solid Tumors and Impact on Radiosensitization.

Tetraiodothyroacetic acid is a ligand of thyrointegrin αvβ3, a protein that is highly expressed in various solid tumors and surrounding neovascular regions. Its nano derivative, Nano-diamino-tetrac (NDAT), has anticancer properties in preclinical models, enhances radiosensitivity, and inhibits cancer cell growth in vitro after X-ray irradiation. Using a novel experimental system developed to deliver accurate radiation dose to tumors under sterile conditions, this study establishes NDAT's radiosensitizing effect in SUIT-2 pancreatic cancer and H1299 non-small cell lung carcinoma xenografts in athymic mice for tumor-targeted radiation.

Measurements and simulations of focused beam for orthovoltage therapy.

Purpose: Megavoltage photon beams are typically used for therapy because of their skin-sparing effect. However, a focused low-energy x-ray beam would also be skin sparing, and would have a higher dose concentration at the focal spot. Such a beam can be produced with polycapillary optics.

Dose Response of MTLn3 Cells to Serial Dilutions of Arsenic Trioxide and Ionizing Radiation.

MTLn3 cells derived from mouse mammary epithelium are known to be highly malignant and are resistant to both radio- and chemo-therapy. We exposed MTLn3 cells to various doses of inorganic Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in combination with ionizing radiation. Cells were treated with a series of As2O3 concentrations ranging from 20 μM to 1.

Practical implications of nanodosimetry in medicine.

The grandiose promises made decades ago of cost reduction, miracle cures for cancers and universal availability of nanomedicine are still a far cry. Even we do not have any viable model to exploit nanotechnology in medicine. The most important arena of the nanotechnology is the development of nanoscale drugs for routine clinical practice.

The emerging low-dose therapy for advanced cancers.

Generally minute doses of drugs have been prescribed in biotherapies, homeopathy, immunization and vaccinations for centuries. Now the use of low doses of drugs is on the rise to combat serious diseases such as advanced cancers around the world. This new therapeutic approach to address solid tumors and other advanced diseases is a departure from the conventional use of maximum dose protocol.

Evaluation of the transmitted exposure through lead equivalent aprons used in a radiology department, including the contribution from backscatter.

A study was conducted to evaluate the radiation transmission through lead equivalent aprons that are used in a radiology department. A large area beam (poor geometry) was employed for the transmission measurements, and backscatter was simulated by placing 7" of Lucite behind each apron. Separate ionization chambers were used to measure the incident and transmitted x-ray beams.