Aims and scope of the thesis

1.6 Aims and scope of the thesis

In this thesis the feasibility of poly(L-lactic acid) microspheres loaded with 166Ho for
internal radiation therapy of liver malignancies is investigated. Aspects of preparation,
characterization, biodistribution and therapeutical effect in animals were addressed in
order to answer the following questions:
1 Is it possible to prepare holmium containing microspheres in a reproducible way
to enable routine production and facilitate therapeutic application?
2 What are the physical characteristics of these microspheres before and after
neutron activation?
3 Can selective targeting of liver tumours be accomplished in vivo?
4 Is there a therapeutic effect of these microspheres on liver tumours?