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Review
. 2016 Aug 18;1(4):351-364.
doi: 10.1016/j.adro.2016.08.003. eCollection 2016 Oct-Dec.

The development, commercialization, and clinical context of yttrium-90 radiolabeled resin and glass microspheres

Affiliations
Review

The development, commercialization, and clinical context of yttrium-90 radiolabeled resin and glass microspheres

Mark A Westcott et al. Adv Radiat Oncol. .

Abstract

Selective internal radiation therapy has emerged as a well-accepted therapeutic for primary and metastatic hepatic malignancies. This therapeutic modality requires the combined efforts of multiple medical disciplines to ensure the safe delivery of yttrium-90 (90Y)-labeled microspheres. The development of this therapy followed decades of clinical research involving tumor vascularity and microsphere development. Today, it is essential that treating physicians have a thorough understanding of hepatic tumor vascularity and 90Y microsphere characteristics before undertaking this complex intervention. This review explores the contributions of early investigators of this therapy, as well as the development, US Food and Drug Administration approval, manufacturing process, and attributes of the 2 commercially available 90Y radiolabeled microsphere device to clarify the key physical differences between the products.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Calculated activity and number of resin/glass microspheres that would be prescribed for a patient with liver dominant metastatic colon cancer who is 5'10” tall, weighs 170 pounds, and has a right lobe tumor (275 cc) with 3% lung shunt.

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