Biodistribution of Yittrium-90 Radioembolization in a Porcine Lung Cancer Model

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

10:39 AM – 10:48 AM CT

Location: Music City Center, 207 CD

Presenting Author(s)

Russell O. Simpson, MD (he/him/his)

Resident Physician
UIC, United States

Author/Co-author(s)

Robert J. Abraham, MD, FSIR, FRCPC

Professor
Dalhousie University/QEII Health Sciences Center, Canada
DB

Daniel Blanco, BS

Head of Laboratory Animal Research
Sus Clinicals Inc, United States
LE

Lobna Elkhadragy, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Associate
University of Illinois at Chicago, United States
RG

Ron C. Gaba, MD, MS

Professor
University of Illinois at Chicago, United States
LJ

Luke R. Jordan, PhD

Senior Research specialist
University of Illinois at Chicago, United States
Kyle M. Schachtschneider, PhD (he/him/his)

Vice President of R&D, Services
Sus Clinicals Inc., United States
ES

Eveyln Sambora, None

Animal Care Technician at Sus Clinicals
Sus Clinicals, United States
MN

Matthew Niemeyer, MD

Attending Physician
University of Wisconsin - Madison, United States

Purpose:

The Oncopig Cancer Model—a transgenic porcine model recapitulating human cancer through induced expression of KRASG12D and TP53R167H driver mutations—was utilized to test the hypothesis that Y-90 can be safely administered with predictable biodistribution to lung tumors using technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin (Tc-99m MAA) as a surrogate.

Materials and Methods:

Lung tumors were induced in Oncopigs (n=4) by endotracheal injection 1x1010 PFU of adCre in 5mL PBS. Once tumors reached a clinically relevant size, each pig underwent Tc-99m MAA infusion, first from the bronchial artery and then the pulmonary artery, targeting the same tumor in each pig, with procedures spaced 1 week apart. Outcomes were determined by calculating a tumor to normal ratio (TNR). Biodistribution within the targeted tumor, perfused normal lung, mediastinum, brain and kidneys were determined utilizing Bremsstrahlung single photon emission computed tomography/computerized tomography (SPECT/CT) and MIM dosimetry software (MIM Software Inc, Cleveland, OH).

Results:

The TNR in the 4 pigs was significantly higher after bronchial arterial infusion of Tc-99m MAA compared to pulmonary arterial infusion (17.57 +/- 10.28 vs. 3.47 +/- 3.65, P value of 0.0415). Shunting to extrapulmonary tissues was overall low, with mediastinal shunt percentage ranged from 4.01-28.7 for bronchial administration and 0-6.94.

Conclusion:

Bronchial artery infusion of Tc-99m resulted in higher TNR and minimal off-target distribution compared to pulmonary artery infusion. Notably, perfusion and MAA uptake was seen in enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, suggesting that bronchial arterial Y-90 treatment may be beneficial for patients with regional metastatic disease. Results of this pilot study support the need for future phase 1 and 2 safety and efficacy studies for lung Y-90 TARE.