title: Neutron capture imaging of 10B in tissue specimens.
abstract: Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is an attractive concept for radiation treatment of malignant tumours. The patients receive a 10B-carrying compound with selective uptake in tumour cells, after which they are irradiated with epithermal neutrons. Theoretically, the tumour cells are killed by the high-LET particles produces in 10B(n, alpha)7Li reactions inside or close to the cell nucleus, while healthy brain cells with no boron uptake will be spared. In practice, a successful BNCT depends on the actual boron-distribution in the tissue, and consequently a new boron-compound aimed for BNCT must undergo detailed bio-distribution studies before clinical trials. In experimental work there is accordingly a great need for methods for quantitative bio-distribution measurements in tissue samples. In this paper we present an improved technique for neutron activated autoradiography providing quantitative boron images of freeze-sectioned tissue specimens from highly malignant rat brain gliomas. Particular attention has been paid to the correlation with the morphology of the specimens and to the altered self-absorption properties due to freeze-drying. A self-absorption correction factor for tumour tissue has been experimentally determined.
authors: Department of Radiation Physics, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors: C P
authors: CP
authors: Ceberg
authors: L G
authors: LG
authors: Salford
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Brun
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Hemler
authors: B R
authors: BR
authors: Persson
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001895:Boron / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002138:Calibration; D005612:Freeze Drying; D005910:Glioma / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007554:Isotopes; D016015:Logistic Models; D008867:Microtomy; D017247:Neutron Capture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D016707:Tissue Fixation
chemical_list: D007554:Isotopes; D001895:Boron