Eduardo S. Moura

Theoretical, Manufacturing and Clinical Application Aspects of a Prostate Brachytherapy I-125 Source in Brazil

Cancer is one of the worst illnesses in the world and one of the major causes of death in Brazil [Rostelato et. al, 2008]. For this reason, the Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) started a project to produce some medical radioisotopes to treat cancer. One of the main products is the iodine-125 seeds [Moura et. al, 2010]. This iodine seed can be used to treat several types of cancer: prostate, lung, occular and brain. In the first phase of this project, the iodine-125 will be acquired in international market. As Brazil will construct a new reactor to produce radioisotopes, it is necessary to define how the iodine-125 production will carry out [Cieszykowska et al., 2005; Mathew et. Al., 2002].

Desenvolvimento da metodologia para síntese do poli(ácido lático-co-ácido glicólico) para utilização na produção de fontes radioativas

According to the World Health Organization, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. A radiotherapy method extensively used in prostate cancer is brachytherapy, where the area requiring treatment receives radioactive seeds. Iodine-125 seeds can be inserted loose or stranded in bioabsorbable polymers produced from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). We developed the synthesis methodology for PLGA and the results obtained show that it was possible to determine the optimal reaction parameters (time and temperature) for PLGA in 80/20 (lactide/glycolide) ratio. The yield was higher than 90% using a temperature of 110 °C and reaction time of 72 hours; however, the molecular weight values ​​obtained are very low compared to those obtained by other authors. New tests using previously synthesized dimers and nitrogen atmosphere are being performed. These conditions could potentially increase the molar mass of PLGA. All techniques used confirmed the expected structure of the polymer.