A kit based methodology for convenient formulation of 166Ho-Chitosan complex for treatment of liver cancer

Microspheres as a Carrier System for Therapeutic Embolization Procedures: Achievements and Advances

The targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs and isotopes is one of the most pursued goals in anti-cancer therapy. One of the prime examples of such an application is the intra-arterial injection of microspheres containing cytostatic drugs or radioisotopes during hepatic embolization procedures. Therapy based on the application of microspheres revolves around vascular occlusion, complemented with local therapy in the form of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or radioembolization (TARE). The broadest implementation of these embolization strategies currently lies within the treatment of untreatable hepatocellular cancer (HCC) and metastatic colorectal cancer. This review aims to describe the state-of-the-art TACE and TARE technologies investigated in the clinical setting for HCC and addresses current trials and new developments. In addition, chemical properties and advancements in microsphere carrier systems are evaluated, and possible improvements in embolization therapy based on the modification of and functionalization with therapeutical loads are explored.

Radioiodination, nasal nanoformulation and preliminary evaluation of isovanillin: A new potential brain cancer-targeting agent

Brain cancer is a challenging disease to treat using conventional approaches. The present investigation aimed to develop a radiopharmaceutical targeting brain cancer based on natural isovanillin. Different parameters were optimized, resulting in high radiolabeling efficiency (97.3 ± 1.2%) and good stability (<48 h). The tracer was formulated for intranasal delivery in a chitosan nanoparticles system with a mean particle size of 141 ± 2 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.23 ± 0.02, and a zeta potential of -17.4 ± 0.3 mV to enhance nasal uptake and surmount the blood-brain barrier. The system was characterized and assessed in-vitro for suitability and specificity and evaluated in-vivo in normal and tumorized mice. The biodistribution profile in brain tumor showed 20.5 ± 0.4 %ID/g localization and cancer cell targeting within 60 min. Improvement in brain tumor uptake resulted from both the nanoformulation and nasal administration of iodoisovanillin. Overall, the reported results encourage the potential use of the nanoformulated labeled compound as an anticancer agent.

Clinical Management of Liver Cancer in India and Other Developing Nations: A Focus on Radiation Based Strategies

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global killer with preponderance in Asian and African countries. It poses a challenge for successful management in less affluent or developing nations like India, with large populations and limited infrastructures. This review aims to assess the available options and future directions for management of HCC applicable to such countries. While summarizing current and emerging clinical strategies for detection, staging and therapy of the disease, it highlights radioisotope- and radioactivity-based strategies as part of an overall program. Using the widely accepted Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system as a base, it evaluates the applicability of different therapeutic approaches and their synergistic combination(s) in the context of a patient-specific dynamic results-based strategy. It distills the conclusions of multiple HCC management-focused consensus recommendations to provide a picture of clinical strategies, especially radiation-related approaches. Additionally, it discusses the logistical and economic feasibility of these approaches in the context of the limitations of the burdened public health infrastructure in India (and like nations) and highlights possible strategies both at the clinical level and in terms of an administrative health policy on HCC to provide the maximum possible benefit to the widest swathe of the affected population.