Figure 5.

Therapy studies with ¹⁷⁷Lu-labelled nanostars in BALB/c mice isografted with CT26 colon cancer cells. Mice were treated with 1.5 MBq, 3.7 MBq or 7.4 MBq of p([¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-DPAEA-co-OEGA-co-[Gd³⁺]VDMD) star polymer (11). Mice in the two control groups were injected either with vehicle (0.9% sterile saline) or non-radioactive nanostar 6 (p(BAEA-co-OEGA-co-VDM); 23 µg per mouse). (A) Tumour volumes increased rapidly for mice in the two control groups and the low dose therapy cohort (1.5 MBq). Tumour volumes increased considerably slower for mice treated with medium (3.7 MBq) and high doses (7.4 MBq). (B) The cumulative survival of mice in each cohort increased significantly with increasing therapy dose, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of the ¹⁷⁷Lu-labelled nanostars. The haematological toxicity of treatment with ¹⁷⁷Lu-labelled nanostars was assessed by measuring alterations in (C) red blood cell counts, (D) haematocrit values, (E) platelet counts, and (F) white blood cell counts. Further, systemic toxicity was monitored by measuring signs of lethargy, loss of appetite and (G) body weight.