Advanced Medical Isotope (AMIC) proposes development of a proprietary concept for controlled delivery of yttrium-90 (Y-90) microspheres embedded in resorbable seed-shape materials for tissue-directed, high-dose intra-tumoral therapy. According to the company, the use of Y-90 will help to minimize the radiation dose to nearby normal tissues compared to x-rays from standard seeds.
This technology is said to be designed to improve the treatment of confined or non-resectable tumors and is based on fast-dissolving polymer-matrix chemistry. AMIC likely will seek new medical device approval from the FDA during 2009.
Robert Schenter, chief science officer at AMIC, said: “Using the same ultrasound-guided delivery methods and hardware familiar to seed implant surgeons, we hope to provide a better treatment option to the cancer patient. The ready availability of ultra-pure yttrium-90 provides an advantage.”