Influence of radiation on the blood-brain barrier and optimum time of chemotherapy

Abstract A pilot study of the destructive effects of radiation on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was made on 14 patients with localized and limited brain tumors by 99M Tc-GH imaging from August 1988 to November 1989. Count/pixel data were obtained from the unirradiated, irradiated, and tumor areas before and after radiotherapy of 30–40 Gy. It was observed that, a) the BBB in the unirradiated area outside the radiation portal was not changed, b) the degree of destructive effect on the BBB in the irradiated normal area was directly proportional to the radiation dose. For 30–40 Gy, the count/pixel change enhances to average 24.7% [(147.6 − 118.4)118.4], and c) the BBB in the tumor area is partially destroyed on an average of 22.1% [(206.8 − 169.4)169.4] by the tumor. The radiotherapy further enhances this effect to an average of 74.7% [(206.8 − 118.4)118.4]. Case 3 showed that before radiation, the degree of destructive effect on the BBB in the tumor area was 22% [(167 − 137)137] higher than normal brain tissue. After a dose of 30 Gy of irradiation, it increased to 76.7% [(242 − 137)137]; 8 months later it decreased to 17% [(160.3 − 137)137]. It has been proven that the BBB can recover at least partially. Based on these observations, the authors believe that in the combined treatment of operated brain tumors, radiotherapy should precede chemotherapy so as to enhance the destruction of the BBB, facilitating the incorporation of drugs into the tumor. The dose at which to start chemotherapy is 20–30 Gy.