Development of Semiautomated Module for Preparation of 131I Labeled Lipiodol for Liver Cancer Therapy.

Intra-arterial injection of 131I Lipiodol is an effective treatment option for primary hepatocellular carcinoma as it delivers high radiation dose to liver tumor tissue with minimal accumulation in adjacent normal tissue. The present article demonstrates design, fabrication, and utilization of a semiautomated radiosynthesis module for preparation of 131I labeled Lipiodol. The radiolabeling method was standardized for preparation of patient dose of 131I labeled Lipiodol radiochemical yield (RCY); radiochemical purity (RCP) and pharmaceutical purity of the product were determined using optimized procedures. Sterile and apyrogenic 131I labeled Lipiodol in >60% RCY could be prepared with >95% RCP. Preclinical evaluation in animals indicated retention of more than 90% of activity at 24 hours postportal vein injection. This is the first report demonstrating potential application of simple user friendly and safe semiautomated system for routine production of 131I labeled Lipiodol, which is adaptable at centralized hospital radiopharmacies. The described prototype module can be modified as per demand for preparation of other therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

Stereoselective synthesis of an iodinated resveratrol analog: preliminary bioevaluation studies of the radioiodinated species.

Stereoselective synthesis of an E-hydroxystilbene has been carried out using the McMurry reaction. Synthesis of a monoiodinated hydroxystilbene has been carried out by a McMurry cross-coupling reaction. For the purpose of biological evaluation, the facile electrophilic substitution route has been attempted to radioiodinate it with (125)I. The HPLC pattern of the radioiodinated hydroxystilbene, which could be obtained in >90% radiochemical purity, was found to be identical to that of its non-radioactive analog that has been independently prepared using the McMurry cross-coupling route. In vitro cell uptake studies were carried out in breast cancer cells MCF7, overexpressing estrogen receptors. In vivo biodistribution studies in female Swiss mice show a uterine uptake of 0.85±0.4% ID/g at 3h.p.i. with a uterus to muscle ratio of 2.83. Uptake in the thyroid was insignificant indicating good in vivo stability of the radioiodinated hydroxystilbene.

Development of hollow/porous calcium pectinate beads for floating-pulsatile drug delivery.

The purpose of this work was to develop hollow calcium pectinate beads for floating-pulsatile release of diclofenac sodium intended for chronopharmacotherapy. Floating pulsatile concept was applied to increase the gastric residence of the dosage form having lag phase followed by a burst release. To overcome limitations of various approaches for imparting buoyancy, hollow/porous beads were prepared by simple process of acid-base reaction during ionotropic crosslinking. The floating beads obtained were porous (34% porosity), hollow with bulk density<1 and had Ft50% of 14-24 h. In vivo studies by gamma scintigraphy determined on rabbits showed gastroretention of beads up to 5 h. The floating beads provided expected two-phase release pattern with initial lag time during floating in acidic medium followed by rapid pulse release in phosphate buffer. This approach suggested the use of hollow calcium pectinate microparticles as promising floating-pulsatile drug delivery system for site- and time-specific release of drugs acting as per chronotherapy of diseases.