Comparison of Iodine-125 seeds implantation and afterloading radiotherapy in murine models of human cervical cancer

Objective

To compare the efficacies and side effects of Iodine-125 (¹²⁵I) seeds implantation with afterloading radiotherapy on tumor xenografts derived from Hela cells.

Methods

Mice bearing Hela cells were randomly divided into three groups: two therapeutic groups receiving four ¹²⁵I seeds implantation and afterloading therapy, respectively, and the one control group without any intervention. Comparisons were evaluated in aspects of curative efficacies (tumor volume, tumor inhibition rate and metastasis) and side effects (body weight, ovarian endocrine functions, skin lesion surrounding the tumor).

Results

The xenografts tumor volume of therapeutic groups were significantly smaller than that of controls(p < 0.05),both of the ¹²⁵I seeds implantation and afterloading therapy showed excellent tumor inhibition rate. Furthermore, ¹²⁵I seeds implantation had milder side effects on skin, weight loss, ovarian endocrine functions.

Conclusions

¹²⁵I seed implantation may be an alternative minimally invasive therapy for cervical cancer.