131-I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine Treatment of Malignant Phe

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Pheochromocytomas are tumors of chromaffin cells that synthesize and secrete catecholamines. This project tests the efficacy of radiotoxic treatment of malignant pheochromocytoma using 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG), and in particular tests whether pre-treatment using specific drugs (so called sentitizers) increases the efficacy of 131I-MIBG treatment in reducing the size and number of tumors and the tumor burden. The central hypothesis is that in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma, treatment with 131I-MIBG destroys tumor cells and thereby decreases the size and number of tumors and the tumor burden; and that the "sensitization" procedures augment the effectiveness of 131I-MIBG. Recently, the protocol has been approved by the FDA and the contract from the University of Michigan, to obtain 131-I-MIBG for treatment, has been approved. Patients are being enrolled into the study.