Citizens for Medical Isotopes

We've all been touched by cancer.
Cancer is a terrible disease and we all know its devastating impact. Citizens for Medical Isotopes was founded as a non-profit organization to educate about exciting new cancer treatments that use medical isotopes. Cell targeting is the wave of the future in treating disease, and because of this ability to specifically target radioisotopes at cancer cells while minimizing exposure to healthy cells, medical isotopes can play an important role in a new revolution in cancer treatment - increased effectiveness, decreased side effects, lives saved, health regained. But we need your help.


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Brain Tumor Isotope News

February 3, 2008 Treatment Capitalizes On Unique Qualities Of Radioisotope To Prolong Lives Of Brain Tumor Patients Study on the Feasibility of Safely Delivering Alpha-Emitter Astatine-211 to Destroy Residual Cancer Cells Is Featured in January 2008 Journal of Nuclear Medicine In a study to determine safe dosages of the isotope astatine-211 for treating patients with recurring brain tumors, researchers were pleasantly surprised to find that not only was the isotope's potency sufficient to kill residual cancer cells without damaging sensitive healthy brain cells, but the patients experienced longer survival rates.

“Astatine-211 has as much as five times or more cell-killing efficiency than the standard treatments of external beam radiation or beta-particle injection,” said Michael R. Zalutsky, professor of radiology and biomedical engineering at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. The ability to deliver such a potent cancer killer without causing neurotoxicity (damage to the delicate neurological system that controls brain function) would be a tremendous step forward in combating this lethal disease, he said. ...

... "Right now in the United States, there are only three places where the isotope is produced," said Zalutsky, who contributed to the 2007 National Academy of Sciences report that encouraged Congress to increase funding for nuclear medicine research and treatment, including the production of promising isotopes such as astatine-211. "Patients eligible for such studies will be put on hold until our nation invests significantly in the research needed to eradicate these killer diseases."

Ref: Zalutsky, Michael R., et al, Clinical Experience with a-Particle–Emitting 211At: Treatment of Recurrent Brain Tumor Patients with 211At-Labeled Chimeric Antitenascin Monoclonal Antibody 81C6, J Nucl Med 2007, doi:10.2967/jnumed.107.046938.

May 2007 211At Production Vaidyanathan, Ganesan, A Kit Method for the High Level Synthesis of [211At]MABG, Bioorg Med Chem. 2007 May 15; 15(10): 3430–3436.

May 2007 131Iodine shows promise in malignant glioma treatment. Summary: Histopathologic analysis correlated with prognosis. Among all patients (Group A) there was a significant correlation between biopsy outcome, survival, and total radiation absorbed dose. Among the Group B proximal therapy patients, the neuropathologic changes were qualitatively similar to those described for external beam therapy and interstitial brachytherapy.

Ref: McLendon Roger E., et al, Tumor Resection Cavity Administered Iodine-131-Labeled Antitenascin 81C6 Radioimmunotherapy in Patients with Malignant Glioma: Neuropathology Aspects, Nucl Med Biol. 2007 May; 34(4): 405–413.

Supporting Sponsors of 2008 CMI Symposium
"The Cure Starts Here!"

Advanced Medical Isotopes Corp.

Conover Insurance

Central Washington Building & Construction Council

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Kestrel Vintners

National Association of Cancer Patients

Picazo House

Tri-Cities Local Business Association

Join Citizens for Medical Isotopes as we work to make sure that these treatments will be available now and in the future.

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Updated:
May 23, 2008