Preparation and characterization of composite microspheres for brachytherapy and hyperthermia treatment of cancer

Composite microspheres were prepared by coating yttrium–aluminum–silicate (YAS) glass microspheres (20–30 μm) with a layer of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and evaluated for potential use in brachytherapy and hyperthermia treatment of cancer. After neutron activation to form the β-emitting 90Y radionuclide, the composite microspheres can be injected into a patient to destroy cancerous tumors; at the same time, the composite microspheres can generate heat upon application of a magnetic field to also destroy the tumors. The results showed that the composite microspheres were chemically durable when immersed in a simulated body fluid (SBF), with ~ 0.25% weight loss and ~ 3.2% yttrium dissolved into the SBF after 30 days at 37 °C. The composite microspheres also showed ferromagnetic properties as a result of the Fe3O4 coating; when immersed in water at 20 °C (20 mg in 1 mL of water), the application of an alternating magnetic field produced a temperature increase from 20 °C to 38−46 °C depending on the thickness of the Fe3O4 coating. The results indicate that these composite microspheres have promising potential in combined brachytherapy and hyperthermia treatment of cancerous tumors.

► Composite microspheres for brachytherapy and hyperthermia treatment of cancer.
► Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated on the yttrium–aluminum–silicate glass microspheres.
► Microspheres are chemically stable in SBF.
► Microspheres can generate heat for hyperthermia under an alternating magnetic field.
► Microspheres can emit β-rays for brachytherapy after neutron activation.