Methods for treating solid tumors using neutron therapy
AssigneeIsotron, Inc.
InventorsDavid Halpern, Steven K. Jacobs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of treating a subject having a disorder characterized by a tumor performed by inserting a miniaturized concentrated neutron emitting source into the tumor to irradiate the cells of the tumor. The method is useful in treating malignant and non-malignant tumors and is especially useful in the treating of tumors of the brain, prostate, cervix and other internal organs. A preferred neutron source is californium-252. The tumor may be surgically treated prior to insertion of the neutron emitting source. A neutron capture compound may be localized to the cells of the tumor prior to insertion of the source to augment the effects of neutron therapy.
Claims19
A method of treating a subject having a disorder characterized by the presence of a tumor comprising placing one or more catheter(s) in the tumor, inserting one or more miniaturized concentrated neutron emitting source(s) containing californium-252 into the tumor through the catheter(s) using a remote afterloader, and maintaining the source(s) in the tumor for a time sufficient to eradicate the cells of the tumor, wherein the neutron emitting source has a length of about 6 millimeters or less and a diameter of 2 millimeters or less, and has 100 micrograms or more of californium-252.
A method of treating a subject having a disorder characterized by the presence of a tumor comprising surgically removing the majority of the tumor and subsequently placing a catheter into the space previously occupied by the tumor, inserting a miniaturized concentrated neutron emitting source containing californium-252 into the space previously occupied by the tumor through the catheter using a remote afterloader, and maintaining the source in the tumor for a time sufficient to eradicate any tumor cells not surgically removed, wherein the neutron emitting source has a length of about 6 millimeters or less and a diameter of 2 millimeters or less, and has 100 micrograms or more of californium-252.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.