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

• Published in: Digestive diseases and sciences 2016-10, Vol.61 (10), p.2921
• Main Authors: Liu, Xinpei, Shen, Yiming, Zhang, Xuqian, Lin, Rui, Jia, Qiang, Chang, Yixiang, Liu, Wenge, Liu, Wentian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• 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 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.