Methods for radiolabeling synthetic polymers

A method for preparing a radiolabeled synthetic polymer, the method comprising:

• contacting (i) a synthetic polymer with (ii) a carbon encapsulated nanoparticle composite having a radioactive particulate core, in an aqueous medium comprising an electrolyte concentration or a pH that is selected to promote short-range attractive forces between the nanoparticle and the synthetic polymer by attenuating long-range electrostatic repulsive forces.

A radiolabeled entity comprising (a) a synthetic polymer complexed with (b) a carbon encapsulated nanoparticle composite having a radioactive particulate core.

A method of preparing a radiolabeled medical device, the method comprising:

• contacting (i) a radiolabeled synthetic polymer comprising a carbon encapsulated nanoparticle composite having a radioactive particulate core, with (ii) a medical device, under conditions suitable for incorporation of said radiolabeled synthetic polymer into or onto said medical device, wherein the carbon encapsulated nanoparticle composite and medical device are contacted in an aqueous medium comprising an electrolyte concentration of pH selected to promote short-range attractive forces between the nanoparticles and the synthetic polymer by attenuating long-range electrostatic repulsive forces.

A method of radiation therapy of a patient, the method comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a radiolabeled synthetic polymer, wherein said radiolabeled synthetic polymer comprises a synthetic polymer in association with a carbon encapsulated nanoparticle composite having a radioactive particulate core;

• and wherein said radiolabeled synthetic polymer is prepared as an aqueous medium comprising an electrolyte concentration or a pH that is selected to promote short-range attractive forces between the nanoparticle and the synthetic polymer by attenuating long-range electrostatic repulsive forces.

A method for preparing a synthetic polymer complexed with an inactive progenitor of a radioisotope, the method comprising:

• contacting (i) a synthetic polymer with (ii) a carbon encapsulated nanoparticle composite having a particulate core comprising an inactive progenitor of a radioisotope, in an aqueous medium comprising an electrolyte concentration or a pH that is selected to promote short-range attractive forces between the nanoparticle and the synthetic polymer by attenuating long-range electrostatic repulsive forces.

A complex, comprising:

• a synthetic polymer;
• and
• a carbon encapsulated nanoparticle composite having a particulate core comprising an inactive progenitor of a radioactive isotope.

A method for radiolabeling a synthetic polymer, the method comprising the steps of (a) contacting (i) a synthetic polymer with (ii) a carbon encapsulated nanoparticle composite having a particulate core comprising an inactive progenitor of a radioisotope, in an aqueous medium comprising an electrolyte concentration or a pH that is selected to promote short-range hydrophobic attractive forces between the nanoparticle and the synthetic polymer by attenuating long-range electrostatic repulsive forces;

• and (b) activating said inactive progenitor to generate a radioactive isotope.

A method of radiation therapy of a patient, the method comprising:

• administering to said patient an amount of a complex comprising a synthetic polymer and a carbon encapsulated nanoparticle composite having a particulate core comprising an inactive progenitor of a radioactive isotope, wherein said amount is a therapeutically effective amount when said inactive progenitor is activated;
• and
• activating said inactive progenitor to generate a radioactive isotope, wherein said complex is prepared in an aqueous medium comprising an electrolyte concentration or a pH that is selected to promote short-range attractive forces between the nanoparticle and the synthetic polymer by attenuating long-range electrostatic repulsive forces.