New paradigms in nuclear human decorporation using macromolecular systems

Abstract

International audienceActinides elements (that are all radioactive) are the subject of special attention considering the important amount that has been produced for military and civil applications. They often present a dual toxicity: chemical and radiotoxicological from α and β decay. In case of dissemination during an accidental nuclear event, the consequences of contamination can initiate the vital process. Ingestion, inhalation and then retention in the target organs will occur. Currently, the golden standard of decorporation is DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) injected intravenously. It presents a strong complexing constant for some actinides but poor chemical specificity and it is only valid for removing actinides from blood, immediately after contamination. Objectives are to explore the design of biocompatible nano-particles or macromolecules able to release the decorporation agent directly into the target organ. This should constitute a new class of decorporation agents