Re: radiation is good

["Michael Stabin" <michael.g.stabin@vanderbilt.edu>]

Yes, radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is starting to show some significant successes

now, although still primarily against nonHodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and some

leukemias and myelomas. Penetration of large bulky tumors has still not been

very successful with internal emitters (except with I-131 against thyroid

cancer, which is a well established and generally successful therapy). There

have always been advocates and skeptics about the potential of alpha

emitters, but some real candidates appear to be in play at the moment, the

ultimate proof is always in the real response rates in patients in clinical

trials. But we seem to have passed from euphoria to despondency and back to

optimism in our feelings about RIT. I was in the DC area on Sept. 11

listening to the FDA evaluation of Y-90 labeled Zevalin (monoclonal antibody

against NHL), which was approved for use under certain conditions. Other

agents are in the pipeline, and there are many well established response

patterns now for some of these agents. The side effects are generally

manageable, and are clearly better for the patients than the debilitating

effects of chemotherapy agents. For example, Zevalin patients who had more

severe (but still transient) hematologic effects basically felt just fine,

simply needing monitoring while levels of some blood elements were

depressed.



The use of radiation in reducing coronary restenosis after balloon

angioplasty is also now well established, and leading to a better quality of

life and lower risks for many patients. There are alternative therapies

being discussed, but nonetheless, like external beam therapy for cancer,

clearly these beneficial applications of radiation can be widely appreciated

by the general public if communicated clearly.





Michael G. Stabin, PhD, CHP

Assistant Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences

Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences

Vanderbilt University

1161 21st Avenue South

Nashville, TN 37232-2675

Phone (615) 322-3190

Fax   (615) 322-3764

e-mail  michael.g.stabin@vanderbilt.edu





----- Original Message -----

From: Marco Caceci <mcaceci@radal.com>

To: Radsafe (E-mail) <radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>

Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2001 7:52 AM

Subject: radiation is good





> Radionuclides linked to antibodies are finding use as therapeutic agents.

>

> On papers available at http://www.pharmactinium.com/ (no, they never

> sponsored me) they demonstrate that some radiopharmaceuticals

significantly

> prolong life in rats with specific tumors; interestingly, administration

of

> biologically inactive, but radioactive nuclides also slightly (but non

> significantly, I am sure) prolonged life expectancy.

>

> Radiation can save lives, and maybe, again, low levels aren't all that bad

> either....

>

> marco

>





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