Porous silicon in brachytherapy

Abstract

Highly targeted radiotherapy ("brachytherapy") was the first clinical application of stain-etched silicon microparticles. We briefly review here the manufacture, testing, and clinical use of the 32P:Si beta-emitting formulation for unresectable hepatocellular and pancreatic carcinoma. Clinical data from a number of trials suggests that the technology offers patients with inoperable solid tumors an attractive alternative to external beam radiotherapy.