RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Targeted therapy of breast cancer with low dose rate alpha-particle-emitting 227Th-trastuzumab JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO J Nucl Med FD Society of Nuclear Medicine SP 98 OP 98 VO 50 IS supplement 2 A1 Dahle, Jostein A1 Krogh, Cecilie A1 Abbas, Nasir A1 Hjelmerud, Anne Kristine A1 Borrebaek, Jorgen A1 Larsen, Aasmund A1 Larsen, Roy A1 Bruland, Oyvind YR 2009 UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/50/supplement_2/98.abstract AB 98 Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore the potential of a low dose rate alpha-particle emitting radioimmunoconjugate; 227Th-trastuzumab (Herceptin), as a novel treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Methods Two HER2-expressing breast cancer cell lines, BT-474 and SKBR-3, as well as the HER2-negative cell line MCF-7 were incubated with 0-20 kBq/ml of 227Th-Herceptin and cell bound activity was measured. Cell survival, growth rate and induction of apoptosis were studied. Mice with subcutaneous SKBR-3 tumor xenografts were treated with 200, 400 and 600 kBq/kg of intravenously injected 227Th-trastuzumab, non-specific 227Th-rituximab or cold trastuzumab and the growth of the tumors were followed for up to 4 months. The toxicity of the treatment was evaluated by monitoring blood cell counts. Results The therapeutic effect on cells in culture depended both on differences in growth rate of the cell lines and on differences in binding of 227Th-trastuzumab. High in vitro growth-rate correlated with weaker therapeutic effect. Single injection of 200 kBq/kg 227Th-trastuzumab resulted in a growth delay of 54 or 51 days in growing to 500 mm3 as compared with untreated mice or mice treated with cold Herceptin, respectively. There was a dosage dependent increase in therapeutic effect. Hematological toxicity to blood was modest and temporary. Conclusions This study shows a therapeutic effect of low dose-rate alpha-particle radioimmunotherapy against breast cancer cells and warrants further in vivo studies with repeated dosing. Research Support This work was supported by The Norwegian Research Council, The Norwegian Cancer Society, Helse SørØst and Algeta ASA.