# THE DEVELOPMENT OF RADIATION SYNOVECTOMY IN ARTHRITIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 1991 · $277,313

## Abstract

Radiation synovectomy produces functional ablation of inflamed
synovium following intra-articular administration of short-range,
beta-emitting radioisotopes.  The isotope is complexed to a
particulate carrier in order to delay and decrease leakage
rom the joint, thereby reducing the total body radiation exposure.

We have developed a new agent for radiation synovectomy -
dysprosium-165-ferric  hydroxide macroaggregates (165Dy-FHMA) - and
have been using it in clinical trials over the past six years.
Ninety-five of 112 (85%) rheumatoid knees showed significant
improvement one year after treatment.  Leakage of radioactivity
from the treated joint has been less than 1% of the injected dose.
We propose to conduct a prospective trial of 165Dy-FHMA to confirm
the efficacy indicated in our previous uncontrolled studies.
Anticipating a favorable outcome from these studies, and
recognizing the impractical half life of 165Dy, we propose to
develop new agents that will be appropriate for use in areas not
adjacent to a reactor, greatly extending the availability of this
therapy.

Other isotopes and carrier systems, in various combinations, will
be investigated in the animal model of antigen-induced arthritis.
Potential isotopes include rhenium 188 and yttrium-90; carriers
include FHMA, sulfur colloids and lipophilic complexes.

In addition to its usefulness in rheumatoid arthritis of the knee
(and potentially other joints), our preliminary studies in
hemophilic arthropathy of the knee and pigmented villonodular
synovitis indicate a high degree of probability that
radiation synovectomy will be useful in these disorders as well.

Objective evaluation of the efficacy of treatment remains
problematic; to address this problem, we propose to continue our
investigation of indium-111 scanning as a clinically useful,
objective and quantitative indicator of inflammation in the
synovial tissues.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157407
- **Project number:** 5R01AR035906-07
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** QN6MS4VN7BD1
- **Principal Investigator:** CLEMENT B SLEDGE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $277,313
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1984-12-01 → 1993-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157407

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157407, THE DEVELOPMENT OF RADIATION SYNOVECTOMY IN ARTHRITIS (5R01AR035906-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157407. Licensed CC0.

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