Brachytherapy Using Elastin-Like Polypeptides with 131I Inhibit Tumor Growth in Rabbits with VX2 Liver Tumor

• Published in: Digestive diseases and sciences 2016-10, Vol.61 (10), p.2921-2927
• Main Authors: Liu, Xinpei, Shen, Yiming, Zhang, Xuqian, Lin, Rui, Jia, Qiang, Chang, Yixiang, Liu, Wenge, Liu, Wentian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Gastroenterology; Hepatology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Original Article; Transplant Surgery
• ISSN: 0163-2116; 1573-2568
• DOI: 10.1007/s10620-016-4212-4

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 131 I so as to provide reliable experimental evidence for a new promising treatment of liver cancer. Methods Elastin-like polypeptide as carrier was labeled with 131 I 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 131 I, 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 131 I in vitro was maintained at over 96.8 % for 96 h. Biochemistry and imaging indicated brachytherapy using elastin-like polypeptide with 131 I for liver tumor can improve liver function and inhibit tumor growth ( P