Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation of Neutron-Activated, Theranostic Samarium-153-Labeled Microspheres for Transarterial Radioembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Liver Metastasis

Introduction: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) has been proven as an effective treatment for unresectable liver tumor. In this study, neutron activated, (153)Sm-labeled microspheres were developed as an alternative to (90)Y-labeled microspheres for hepatic radioembolization. (153)Sm has a theranostic advantage as it emits both therapeutic beta and diagnostic gamma radiations simultaneously, in comparison to the pure beta emitter, (90)Y. Methods: Negatively charged acrylic microspheres were labeled with (152)Sm ions through electrostatic interactions. In another formulation, the Sm-labeled microsphere was treated with sodium carbonate solution to form the insoluble (152)Sm carbonate ((152)SmC) salt within the porous structures of the microspheres. Both formulations were neutron-activated in a research reactor. Physicochemical characterization, gamma spectrometry, and radiolabel stability tests were carried out to study the performance and stability of the microspheres. Results: The Sm- and SmC-labeled microspheres remained spherical and smooth, with a mean size of 35 µm before and after neutron activation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated that the functional groups of the microspheres remained unaffected after neutron activation. The (153)Sm- and (153)SmC-labeled microspheres achieved activity of 2.53 ± 0.08 and 2.40 ± 0.13 GBq·g(−1), respectively, immediate after 6 h neutron activation in the neutron flux of 2.0 × 10(12) n·cm(−2)·s(−1). Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and gamma spectrometry showed that no elemental and radioactive impurities were present in the microspheres after neutron activation. The retention efficiency of (153)Sm in the (153)SmC-labeled microspheres was excellent (~99% in distilled water and saline; ~97% in human blood plasma), which was higher than the (153)Sm-labeled microspheres (~95% and ~85%, respectively). Conclusion: (153)SmC-labeled microspheres have demonstrated excellent properties for potential application as theranostic agents for hepatic radioembolization.