Start Here When Performing Radiochemical Reactions

Radiation products are present in several fields of knowledge. From the energy field, with nuclear reactors and nuclear batteries, to the medical field, with nuclear medicine and radiation therapy (brachytherapy). Although chemistry works in the same way for radioactive and non-radioactive chemicals, an extra layer of problems is present in the radiochemical counter-part. Reactions can be unpredictable due to several factors. For example, iodine-125 in deposited in a silver wire to create the core of a medical radioactive seed. This core is the sealed forming a radioactive seed that are placed inside the cancer. Several aspects can be discussed in regards to radiation chemistry. For example: are there any competing ions? Each way my reaction is going? Each reaction is more likely to occur? Those are important questions, because, in the case of iodine, a volatile product can be formed causing contamination of laboratory, equipment, personal, and environment. This chapter attempts to create a guideline on how to safely proceed when a new radioactive chemical reaction. It discusses the steps by giving practical examples. The focus is in protecting the operator and the environment. The result can be achieved safely and be reliable contribution to science and society

Synthesis, In Vitro Testing, and Biodistribution of Surfactant-Free Radioactive Nanoparticles for Cancer Treatment

New forms of cancer treatment, which are effective, have simple manufacturing processes, and easily transportable, are of the utmost necessity. In this work, a methodology for the synthesis of radioactive Gold-198 nanoparticles without the use of surfactants was described. The nuclear activated Gold-198 foils were transformed into H198AuCl4 by dissolution using aqua regia, following a set of steps in a specially designed leak-tight setup. Gold-198 nanoparticles were synthesized using a citrate reduction stabilized with PEG. In addition, TEM results for the non-radioactive product presented an average size of 11.0 nm. The DLS and results for the radioactive 198AuNPs presented an average size of 8.7 nm. Moreover, the DLS results for the PEG-198AuNPs presented a 32.6 nm average size. Cell line tests showed no cytotoxic effect in any period and the concentrations were evaluated. Furthermore, in vivo testing showed a high biological uptake in the tumor and a cancer growth arrest

Comparison between methods for fixing radioactive iodine in silver substrate for manufacturing brachytherapy sources

Dentre as diversas formas de se tratar o câncer de próstata, a braquiterapia com sementes de iodo-125 é uma opção que apresenta ótimos resultados e menor ocorrência de efeito colateral. No presente trabalho diferentes métodos de deposição de iodo radioativo em substrato de prata foram comparados com o propósito de eleger a alternativa mais adequada para a produção rotineira de sementes de iodo-125 do IPEN. A metodologia utilizada foi escolhida com base na infraestrutura disponível e na experiência dos pesquisadores presentes. Por essa razão, utilizou-se o iodo-131 para realização dos testes (mesmo comportamento do iodo-125). Quatro métodos foram selecionados: Método 1 (teste de eletrodeposição baseado no método desenvolvido por D. Kubiatowicz) com a eficiência de 65,16%; Método 2 (Reação química baseada no método desenvolvido por D. Kubiatowicz - HCl) com o resultado de 70,80% de eficiência; Método 3 (Reação química baseada no método desenvolvido pela Dra Maria Elisa Rostelato aquecimento/sulfeto) com 55,80% de eficiência; Método 4 (IQ-IPEN) apresentou o melhor resultado de eficiência, 99%. Como há mais fixação do material radioativo (que representa praticamente todo o custo da semente) por esse método, o preço final é o mais barato, sendo esse o método sugerido para ser implementado no laboratório de produção de fontes de braquiterapia do IPEN. Além disso o método é o mais rápido.Among the different ways to treat prostate cancer, brachytherapy with iodine- 125 seeds is an option that provides good results and fewer side effects. In the present study several deposition methods of radioactive iodine in a silver substrate were compared in order to choose the most suitable alternative for the routine production to be implemented at IPENs laboratory. The methodology used was chosen based on the available infrastructure and experience of the researchers present. Therefore, the I131 was used for testing (same chemical behavior as I131). Four methods were selected: Method 1 (test based on electrodeposition method developed by D.Kubiatowicz) presented 65.16% efficiency; Method 2 (chemical reaction based on the method developed by D. Kubiatowicz - HCl) with the result of 70.80% efficiency; method 3 (chemical reaction based on the method developed by Dr. Maria Elisa Rostelato) with 55.80% efficiency; Method 4 (IQ-IPEN) resulted in 99% efficiency. Since this method has more radioactive material fixation (which represents virtually the entire cost of the seed), the final price is the cheapest. This method is the suggested one to be implemented in the IPENs laboratory for brachytherapy sources production. Besides, the method is the fasted one

Parameters for the production of iodine-125 sources used for brachytherapy

Como o diagnóstico do cancer de próstata está cada vez mais eficiente e cânceres em pacientes cada vez mais jovens estão sendo descobertos, a necessidade de desenvolvimento de tratamentos que provoquem menores efeitos colaterais é muito grande. Além disso, tratamentos rápidos, com pouca dor e eficientes são de extremo interesse também para os pacientes com idade avançada. Com a finalidade de diminuir custos e disponibilizar o tratamento para mais homens, o IPEN está construindo um laboratório para a fabricação de fontes radioativas para o tratamento braquiterápico. Essas fontes são inseridas diretamente dentro do câncer e utilizam a radiação do iodo-125 para destruir o tumor. Como a reprodução de técnicas existentes seriam custosas, novos métodos para fixação do Iodo-125 no núcleo de prata dessa semente devem ser desenvolvidas. Este trabalho apresenta dois métodos inéditos. O primeiro, desenvolvido em parceria com o Instituto de Química da USP, utilizou a solução piranha para decapar a superfície e o nitrato de ferro III para remover um elétron da prata metálica. O iodo-125 adere na superfíce com 37,76% de eficiência. No segundo métodos três variações foram apresentadas inspiradas em conceitos utilizados por joalheiros: núcleos de prata escurecidos pelo talco comum, núcleos escurecidos com prata e tiossulfato de sódio e núcleos escurecidos somente com tiossulfato de sódio. Os resultados foram 19,17%, 53,39% e 71,70% de eficiência, respectivamente. Outros aspectos da reação foram discutidos: pH da reação, frasco utilizado no experimento, presença de luz, técnicas de medição, volume da reação, segurança e pureza química. As modificações na superfície foram visualizadas por MEV e analizadas por EDX. Como resultado, uma nova metodologia para produção de sementes de iodo-125 foi desenvolvida e analisada.As the diagnosis of prostate cancer is becoming more efficient and cancers are being discovered in younger patients, the need to develop treatments that cause fewer side effects is huge. Also, fast and efficient treatments with little pain are of extreme interest also for patients with advanced age. In order to reduce costs and provide treatment for more Brazilian men, IPEN is building a laboratory for the manufacture of radioactive sources for brachytherapy treatment. These sources are inserted directly inside the cancer and use the radiation from iodine-125 to destroy it. Since reproducing existing techniques would be costly, new methodologies for fixating the I125 onto silver core of this seed should be developed. This thesis presents two new methodologies. The first, developed in partnership with the USP Chemistry Institute, used the piranha solution to remove the oxide from the surface and iron III nitrate as oxidizing agent for silver. The iodine-125 is then reacts with the silver yielding in 37.76% efficiency. In the second methodology three variations were presented inspired by concepts used by jewelers: silver nuclei darkened by common talc, darkened nuclei with silver and sodium thiosulfate and darkened nuclei achieved only with sodium thiosulfate. The yield results were 19.17%, 53.39% and 71.70% , respectively. Other aspects of the reaction were discussed: pH, type of reaction flask, the presence of light, measurement techniques, the reaction volume, safety and chemical purity. Surface modifications were visualized by SEM and characterized by EDX. As a result, a new methodology for producing the iodine-125 brachytherapy seeds were developed

Review of Advances in Coating and Functionalization of Gold Nanoparticles: From Theory to Biomedical Application

Nanoparticles, especially gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have gained increasing interest in biomedical applications. Used for disease prevention, diagnosis and therapies, its significant advantages in therapeutic efficacy and safety have been the main target of interest. Its application in immune system prevention, stability in physiological environments and cell membranes, low toxicity and optimal bioperformances are critical to the success of engineered nanomaterials. Its unique optical properties are great attractors. Recently, several physical and chemical methods for coating these NPs have been widely used. Biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, peptides, antibodies, proteins, carbohydrates and biopolymers, among others, have been widely used in coatings of Au NPs for various biomedical applications, thus increasing their biocompatibility while maintaining their biological functions. This review mainly presents a general and representative view of the different types of coatings and Au NP functionalization using various biomolecules, strategies and functionalization mechanisms

Radioactive Seed Localization for Nonpalpable Breast Lesions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: This study is a systematic review with meta-analysis comparing radioactive seed localization (RSL) versus radio-guided occult lesion localization (ROLL) and wire-guided localization (WGL) for patients with impalpable breast cancer undergoing breast-conserving surgery and evaluating efficacy, safety, and logistical outcomes. The protocol is registered in PROSPERO with the number CRD42022299726. Methods: A search was conducted in the Embase, Lilacs, Pubmed, Scielo, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov databases, in addition to a manual search in the reference list of relevant articles, for randomized clinical trials and cohort studies. Studies selected were submitted to their own data extraction forms and risk of bias analysis according to the ROB 2 and ROBINS 1 tools. A meta-analysis was performed, considering the random effect model, calculating the relative risk or the mean difference for dichotomous or continuous data, respectively. The quality of the evidence generated was analyzed by outcome according to the GRADE tool. Overall, 46 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review; of these, 4 studies compared RSL and ROLL with a population of 1550 women, and 43 compared RSL and WGL with a population of 19,820 women. Results: The results showed that RSL is a superior method to WGL in terms of surgical efficiency in the impalpable breast lesions’ intraoperative localization, and it is at least equivalent to ROLL. Regarding security, RSL obtained results equivalent to the already established technique, the WGL. In addition to presenting promising results, RSL has been proven to be superior to WGL and ROLL technologies