Suppression of rabbit VX-2 subcutaneous tumor growth by gadolinium neutron capture therapy

VX-2 tumors growing in hind legs of New Zealand White rabbits (n=4) were exposed to thermal neutrons for 40 min (2.1x1012 neutrons cm-2) while one of two hind leg tumors of each rabbit was infused continuously with meglumine gadopentetate through a branch of the left femoral artery. The contralateral (uninfused) tumors served as controls. Although no differential distribution of gadolinium was achieved between the tumor and its adjacent normal tissue, the gadolinium concentration in the infused tumor was approximately 5-6 fold higher than that in the contralateral tumor. Growth of gadolinium-infused tumors was significantly inhibited compared to that of control tumors (P<0.05) between the 16th and 23rd days after treatment. (author)