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Radioactive iodine-125 (I-125) is the most widely used radioactive sealed source for interstitial permanent brachytherapy (BT). BT has the exceptional ability to deliver extremely high doses that external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) could never achieve within treated lesions, with the added benefit that doses drop off rapidly outside the target lesion by minimizing the exposure of uninvolved surrounding normal tissue. Spurred by multiple biological and technological advances, BT application has experienced substantial alteration over the past few decades. The procedure of I-125 radioactive seed implantation evolved from ultrasound guidance to computed tomography guidance. Compellingly, the creative introduction of 3D-printed individual templates, BT treatment planning systems, and artificial intelligence navigator systems remarkably increased the accuracy of I-125 BT and individualized I-125 ablative radiotherapy. Of note, utilizing I-125 to treat carcinoma in hollow cavity organs was enabled by the utility of self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs). Initially, I-125 BT was only used in the treatment of rare tumors. However, an increasing number of clinical trials upheld the efficacy and safety of I-125 BT in almost all tumors. Therefore, this study aims to summarize the recent advances of I-125 BT in cancer therapy, which cover experimental research to clinical investigations, including the development of novel techniques. This review also raises unanswered questions that may prompt future clinical trials and experimental work.

Radioactive iodine-125 (I-125) is the most widely used radioactive sealed source for interstitial permanent brachytherapy (BT). BT has the exceptional ability to deliver extremely high doses that external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) could never achieve within treated lesions, with the added benefit that doses drop off rapidly outside the target lesion by minimizing the exposure of uninvolved surrounding normal tissue. Spurred by multiple biological and technological advances, BT application has experienced substantial alteration over the past few decades. The procedure of I-125 radioactive seed implantation evolved from ultrasound guidance to computed tomography guidance. Compellingly, the creative introduction of 3D-printed individual templates, BT treatment planning systems, and artificial intelligence navigator systems remarkably increased the accuracy of I-125 BT and individualized I-125 ablative radiotherapy. Of note, utilizing I-125 to treat carcinoma in hollow cavity organs was enabled by the utility of self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs). Initially, I-125 BT was only used in the treatment of rare tumors. However, an increasing number of clinical trials upheld the efficacy and safety of I-125 BT in almost all tumors. Therefore, this study aims to summarize the recent advances of I-125 BT in cancer therapy, which cover experimental research to clinical investigations, including the development of novel techniques. This review also raises unanswered questions that may prompt future clinical trials and experimental work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The difficulty of orthopedic surgery for spinal deformity lies in how to determine the position of the vertebral pedicle of the deformed vertebral body. It is difficult to achieve accurate positioning using traditional CT, X-ray examination and other methods, which affects the surgical effect. Recent research shows that computer technology and three-dimensional (3D) printing templates have advantages in improving positioning and nail placement. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of computer design combined with 3D printing template on spinal orthopedics on surgical accuracy and correction effect. METHODS: A prospective single-blind randomized controlled study was performed in 73 patients with spinal deformities undergoing orthopedic surgery in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College from February 2016 to February 2019. According to the random number table, they were divided into two groups. In the trial group (n=36), computer design combined with 3D printing template was used in orthopedic surgery. In the control group (n=37), conventional orthopedic surgery was applied. The operation situation, the correction rate of Cobb angle, the success rate of nail placement, and the incidence of complications were compared in the two groups. Follow-up was performed for 12 months after operation. Oswestry disability index was compared between the two groups before and 12 months after operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The operation time of the trial group was shorter than that of the control group. The number of intraoperative X-ray fluoroscopy and intraoperative blood loss were less in the trial group than those in the control group (P < 0.05). (2) The correction rate of Cobb angle was significantly higher in the trial group (89%) than that in the control group (70%) (P < 0.05). The success rate of nail placement was significantly higher in the trial group (100%) than that in the control group (81%) (P < 0.05). (3) There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (P > 0.05). (4) The scores of social activities, sleep quality, daily activities, and pain in each dimension of the Oswestry disability index of the two groups 12 months after operation were lower than those before surgery, and those scores in the trial group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). (5) These results suggest that computer design combined with 3D printing templates for spinal orthopedic surgery can shorten the operation time, reduce surgical trauma, reduce the number of intraoperative X-ray fluoroscopy, improve surgical accuracy and correction effect, and reduce the degree of postoperative dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study assessed clinical outcomes of three-dimensional-printed template (3DPT)-guided radioactive seed brachytherapy (RSBT) via a submental approach for recurrent base of tongue and floor of mouth cancer., Methods: Thirty-one patients with recurrent lingual and floor of mouth squamous cell carcinoma after surgery and radiotherapy were treated with 3DPT-guided RSBT from 2015 to 2022. Seeds were implanted through a submental approach guided by 3DPTs. Local control (LC), overall survival (OS), disease control (DC) and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated., Results: The median follow-up was 13.7 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year LC rates were 66.1%, 66.1%, and 55.1% respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates were 63.4%, 33.4%, and 8.3%. The 1-, 3- and 5-year DC rates were 37.8%, 26.5%, and 21.2%. Univariate analysis showed tumor size significantly affected LC (P = 0.031). The presence of extraterritorial lesions affected DC and OS on multivariate analysis (P < 0.01). QOL improved significantly in domains of pain, swallowing, chewing, taste, and emotion after treatment compared to baseline. Four patients (13%) developed necrosis and osteoradionecrosis., Conclusions: 3DPT-guided submental RSBT provided favorable LC and QOL for recurrent tongue/floor of mouth cancer with minimal toxicity; moreover, severe toxicity should be noted., Competing Interests: There are no conflict-of-interest disclosures from any authors., (Copyright 2024, Ji et al.)

Purpose: To compare post-implant dosimetric parameters of computed tomography (CT)-guided radioactive iodine- 125 (125I) seed (RIS) implantation assisted with and without three-dimensional printing non-coplanar template (3D-PNCT) in locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC). Material and methods: One hundred and fifty-five LRRC patients treated by CT-guided RIS implantation assisted with or without 3D-PNCT from October 2003 to May 2019 were included in this study. Propensity score matching (PSM) method (1 : 1) was used to adjust for differences between the 3D-group (with 3D-PNCT) and the CT-group (without 3D-PNCT). After PSM, dosimetric parameters [D90 (dose that covered 90% of target volume), D100 (dose that covered 100% of target volume), V100 (percentage of gross tumor volume (GTV) receiving 100% of prescription dose), V150 (percentage of GTV receiving 150% of prescription dose), HI (homogeneity index), CI (conformity index), and EI (external index)] of the two groups were compared. Results: After PSM, 45 pairs of matched cases were selected for analysis and differences in variables between the two groups were balanced. For the 3D-group, median values of D90, D100, V100, V150, EI, and HI were 142.6 Gy (73.7- 218.2 Gy), 73.7 Gy (26.2-169.3 Gy), 94.1% (74.3-100%), 71.8% (35.4-98.3%), 0.7 (0.1-30.7), and 0.20 (0-0.60), respectively, and corresponding values were 119.9 Gy (39.8-159.3 Gy), 47.0 Gy (13.0-200.9 Gy), 89.9% (38.6-100%), 62.8% (14.8-100%), 0.39 (0-11.01), and 0.30 (0-0.95), respectively, for the CT-group. Parameters including D90, D100, V100, V150, and EI in the 3D-group were significantly higher than those in the CT-group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.006, respectively). Conclusions: 3D-PNCT can improve the accuracy of radioactive seed implantation by increasing the dose delivered to the tumor and reducing the number of "cold" spots of dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To ascertain the safety and efficacy of radioactive iodine-125 seed implantation (RISI) for the treatment of thoracic tumors. Methods: Clinical patients with primary or metastatic tumors in the chest treated with RISI were analyzed. The RISI process included the following stages: preoperative planning, template design and 3D printing, CT-guided RISI assisted by a template, and postoperative dosimetric verification. The prescribed dose was ≥ 80 Gy. The main analytic measures were the local control (LC) rate and toxicity. Results: From April 2015 to July 2018, a total of 92 patients, including 41 with lung cancer and 51 with lung metastases, were analyzed. The median lesion diameter was 5 cm. The median postoperative D90 was 142.6 Gy. The median follow-up was 10.7 months. The overall survival rates at 1 year and 3 years were 59.7% and 22.2%, respectively. The LC rates at 1 year and 3 years were 64.9% and 32.8%, respectively. The LC rates at 3 years for patients with D90 < 140 Gy and D90 > 140 Gy were 23.1% and 54.3%, respectively (P = 0.014). The LC rate of metastatic lung cancer was more favorable than that of primary lung cancer. The multivariate analyses showed that the dose and lesion type were independent factors for LC (P < 0.05). No factors were related to OS. The incidence of pneumothorax and hemoptysis was 35.8% and 3.2%, respectively. Few cases of radiotherapy-related toxicity effects were observed. Conclusions: RISI may be safe and efficacious and is associated with few complications during the treatment of thoracic tumors. If patients need local treatment and surgery or radiotherapy is not available, RISI could be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To verify the accuracy and efficacy of three-dimensional printing individual template (3D-PIT) with computed tomography-magnetic resonance imaging (CT-MRI) fusion for radioactive iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation in high-grade brain gliomas. Material and methods: Between June 2017 and June 2018, 16 patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas (rHGG) underwent radioactive seed implantation with 3D-PIT. The prescribed dose was 120-140 Gy. We compared the dose distribution of the postoperative plan with the preoperative plan. Dose parameters included D90, V100, V200, conformity index (CI), and external index of the target volume (EI). Local control and early complications were also analyzed. Results: Sixteen treatment areas were reported in our study. Median gross tumor volume (preoperative) of patients was 64.2 cm3, median needle number was 8, and median number of implanted 125I seeds was 60. For postoperative plans, the median D90, V100, and V200 was 152.1 Gy, 96.8%, and 49.1%, respectively, and 151.7 Gy, 97.0%, and 48.9%, respectively, in preoperative plans. Comparing with the preplanned cases, the dose of the target volume was slightly higher; the high-dose area of the target volume was larger in postoperative cases, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Actual dose conformity of the target volume was greater than preplanned, and the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Local control was 81.25% and 75% at 3 and 6 months after implantation, respectively. No serious early toxicities were observed. Conclusions: 3D-PIT based on the CT-MRI fusion images can result in good accuracy for positioning and dose distribution in radioactive seed implantation for treatment of rHGG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We compared the three-dimensional printed non-coplanar template (3DPNCT) plans with 3D-printed coplanar template (3DPCT) plans for radioactive seed implantation (RSI) in lung cancer and explored the differences between the two technologies. Material and methods: 33 patients with peripheral lung cancer that received 3DPCT-assisted RSI in our department between June 2017 and February 2018 were analyzed. A 3DPNCT plan was re-designed for all patients. The prescribed dose and seed activity in the new plan were the same as the 3DPCT plan. The data in the two plans were compared, including seed number, needle number, number of needles needed to cross the ribs, and dosimetry parameters. Dosimetry parameters included D90, Dmean, MPD (minimum peripheral dose), V100, V150, CI (conformity index), EI (external index), HI (homogeneity index) of target volume, D2cc of spinal cord and aorta, and V20 of affected side lung. We used a paired t-test and two groups of related non-parameters tests to examine statistical significance. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We found no significant difference in dosimetry parameters (p > 0.05), except MPD. The mean MPD of the 3DPNCT plan was significantly higher than the 3DPCT plan (88.5 Gy and 81.8 Gy, respectively, p = 0.017). The number of needles used in the 3DPNCT plan and the number of needles needed to cross the ribs were significantly less compared with the 3DPCT plan (p = 0.000). Conclusions: The dose distributions of the two 3DPCT plans were similar. 3DPNCT plan had a higher dose in target volume margin, with fewer needles and fewer breaks to the ribs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare post-implant dosimetric parameters of computed tomography (CT)-guided radioactive iodine-125 ( 125 I) seed (RIS) implantation assisted with and without three-dimensional printing non-coplanar template (3D-PNCT) in locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC)., Material and Methods: One hundred and fifty-five LRRC patients treated by CT-guided RIS implantation assisted with or without 3D-PNCT from October 2003 to May 2019 were included in this study. Propensity score matching (PSM) method (1 : 1) was used to adjust for differences between the 3D-group (with 3D-PNCT) and the CT-group (without 3D-PNCT). After PSM, dosimetric parameters [D 90 (dose that covered 90% of target volume), D 100 (dose that covered 100% of target volume), V 100 (percentage of gross tumor volume (GTV) receiving 100% of prescription dose), V 150 (percentage of GTV receiving 150% of prescription dose), HI (homogeneity index), CI (conformity index), and EI (external index)] of the two groups were compared., Results: After PSM, 45 pairs of matched cases were selected for analysis and differences in variables between the two groups were balanced. For the 3D-group, median values of D 90 , D 100 , V 100 , V 150 , EI, and HI were 142.6 Gy (73.7-218.2 Gy), 73.7 Gy (26.2-169.3 Gy), 94.1% (74.3-100%), 71.8% (35.4-98.3%), 0.7 (0.1-30.7), and 0.20 (0-0.60), respectively, and corresponding values were 119.9 Gy (39.8-159.3 Gy), 47.0 Gy (13.0-200.9 Gy), 89.9% (38.6-100%), 62.8% (14.8-100%), 0.39 (0-11.01), and 0.30 (0-0.95), respectively, for the CT-group. Parameters including D 90 , D 100 , V 100 , V 150 , and EI in the 3D-group were significantly higher than those in the CT-group ( p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.006, respectively)., Conclusions: 3D-PNCT can improve the accuracy of radioactive seed implantation by increasing the dose delivered to the tumor and reducing the number of "cold" spots of dose., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Termedia.)

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of needle distribution and dosimetric parameter differences of 3D-printing non-coplanar template (3D-PNCT)-assisted computed tomography (CT)-guided iodine-125 seed ablative brachytherapy ( 125 I-SAB) in gynecological cancer patients with non-central pelvic recurrence between pre-operative plan and post-operative plan., Material and Methods: Thirty-eight patients with forty-one non-central pelvic recurrent gynecological carcinomas after radiotherapy were enrolled in this study. All patients received 3D-PNCT-assisted CT-guided 125 I-SAB from January 2016 to January 2019. The position, angle, and depth of seed needles were measured in both pre-operative plan and intra-operative real-time plan in brachytherapy treatment planning system (B-TPS). Dosimetric parameters of D 90 , D 100 , V 100 , V 150 , and V 200 as well as quality parameters of conformal index (CI), external index (EI), and homogeneity index (HI) were compared between pre-operative plan and post-operative plan. Peri-operation complications and radiation-related toxicity were assessed., Results: Median follow-up time was 12 months (range, 5-34 months). Prescribed dose was 100-170 Gy (median, 120 Gy). Radioactivity of 125 I seed was 0.4-0.7 mCi (median, 0.55 mCi). Mean depth deviation for 499 needles was 0.8 ±1.0 cm. Mean angular deviation was 2.2 ± 2.1 degrees. Mean tip distance deviation of needles was 0.4 ±0.3 cm. There were significant differences between pre-operative and post-operative plans in CI ( p = 0.001) and EI ( p = 0.005). No significant differences were shown in D 90 , D 100 , V 100 , V 150 , V 200 , and HI between pre-operative and post-operative plans. Only few patients suffered from ≤ grade 2 toxicities., Conclusions: 3D-PNCT-assisted CT-guided 125 I-SAB is safe and feasible for non-central pelvic recurrence of gynecological cancer. All complications are tolerable and mild., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Termedia.)

Purpose: To verify the accuracy and efficacy of three-dimensional printing individual template (3D-PIT) with computed tomography-magnetic resonance imaging (CT-MRI) fusion for radioactive iodine-125 ( 125 I) seed implantation in high-grade brain gliomas., Material and Methods: Between June 2017 and June 2018, 16 patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas (rHGG) underwent radioactive seed implantation with 3D-PIT. The prescribed dose was 120-140 Gy. We compared the dose distribution of the postoperative plan with the preoperative plan. Dose parameters included D 90 , V 100 , V 200 , conformity index (CI), and external index of the target volume (EI). Local control and early complications were also analyzed., Results: Sixteen treatment areas were reported in our study. Median gross tumor volume (preoperative) of patients was 64.2 cm 3 , median needle number was 8, and median number of implanted 125 I seeds was 60. For postoperative plans, the median D 90 , V 100 , and V 200 was 152.1 Gy, 96.8%, and 49.1%, respectively, and 151.7 Gy, 97.0%, and 48.9%, respectively, in preoperative plans. Comparing with the preplanned cases, the dose of the target volume was slightly higher; the high-dose area of the target volume was larger in postoperative cases, but the difference was not statistically significant ( p > 0.05). Actual dose conformity of the target volume was greater than preplanned, and the difference was not statistically significant ( p > 0.05). Local control was 81.25% and 75% at 3 and 6 months after implantation, respectively. No serious early toxicities were observed., Conclusions: 3D-PIT based on the CT-MRI fusion images can result in good accuracy for positioning and dose distribution in radioactive seed implantation for treatment of rHGG., Competing Interests: Authors report no conflict of interest.

Purpose: We compared the three-dimensional printed non-coplanar template (3DPNCT) plans with 3D-printed coplanar template (3DPCT) plans for radioactive seed implantation (RSI) in lung cancer and explored the differences between the two technologies., Material and Methods: 33 patients with peripheral lung cancer that received 3DPCT-assisted RSI in our department between June 2017 and February 2018 were analyzed. A 3DPNCT plan was re-designed for all patients. The prescribed dose and seed activity in the new plan were the same as the 3DPCT plan. The data in the two plans were compared, including seed number, needle number, number of needles needed to cross the ribs, and dosimetry parameters. Dosimetry parameters included D 90 , D mean , MPD (minimum peripheral dose), V 100 , V 150 , CI (conformity index), EI (external index), HI (homogeneity index) of target volume, D 2cc of spinal cord and aorta, and V 20 of affected side lung. We used a paired t -test and two groups of related non-parameters tests to examine statistical significance. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: We found no significant difference in dosimetry parameters ( p > 0.05), except MPD. The mean MPD of the 3DPNCT plan was significantly higher than the 3DPCT plan (88.5 Gy and 81.8 Gy, respectively, p = 0.017). The number of needles used in the 3DPNCT plan and the number of needles needed to cross the ribs were significantly less compared with the 3DPCT plan ( p = 0.000)., Conclusions: The dose distributions of the two 3DPCT plans were similar. 3DPNCT plan had a higher dose in target volume margin, with fewer needles and fewer breaks to the ribs., Competing Interests: Authors report no conflict of interest.