Preparation of 188Re-labeled paper for treating skin cancer

For homogeneous delivery of β radiation to skin cancer, we developed a simple method for preparing 188Re-labeled nitrocellulose paper. The homogeneity and stability of the labeled paper were investigated. Absorbed dose estimates were calculated using the Monte-Carlo method. A 74-MBq 188Re-labeled paper with 1-cm diameter delivered 147.2 Gy up to 1-mm depth after 2-h irradiation. Animal experiments on tumor-bearing mice showed that 50 Gy is an adequate dose for treating skin cancer. Tumors disappeared 7 days after irradiation in all the groups irradiated by 50 or 100 Gy. The 188Re-labeled paper provided a convenient, economical, effective, and non-invasive method of treating skin cancer.