Bioactive glasses as potential radioisotope vectors for in situ cancer therapy: investigating the structural effects of yttrium.

Abstract

The incorporation of yttrium in bioactive glasses (BGs) could lead to a new generation of radionuclide vectors for cancer therapy, with high biocompatibility, controlled biodegradability and the ability to enhance the growth of new healthy tissues after the treatment with radionuclides. It is essential to assess whether and to what extent yttrium incorporation affects the favourable properties of the BG matrix: ideally, one would like to combine the high surface reactivity typical of BGs with a slow release of radioactive yttrium. Molecular Dynamics simulations show that, compared to a BG composition with the same silica fraction, incorporation of yttrium results in two opposing effects on the glass durability: a more fragmented silicate network (leading to lower durability) and a stronger yttrium-mediated association between separate silicate fragments (leading to higher durability). The simulations also highlight a high site-selectivity and some clustering of yttrium cations, which are likely linked to the observed slow rate of yttrium released from related Y-BG compositions. Optimisation of yttrium BG compositions for radiotherapy applications thus depends on the delicate balance between these effects.

• Authors: Jamieson K Christie, Jahangir Malik, Antonio Tilocca
• Journal: Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP (Phys Chem Chem Phys) Vol. 13 Issue 39 Pg. 17749-55 (Oct 21 2011) ISSN: 1463-9084 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21887425 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: This journal is © the Owner Societies 2011

Chemical References

• Radioisotopes
• bioactive SrO-SiO2 glass
• Yttrium

Topics

• Drug Delivery Systems
• Glass (chemistry)
• Molecular Dynamics Simulation
• Molecular Structure
• Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy)
• Radioisotopes (chemistry)
• Radionuclide Imaging
• Yttrium (chemistry)