Evaluation of boron neutron capture effects in cell culture using sulforhodamine-B assay and a colony assay.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to find an in vitro method for determining the cytotoxicity of boronated drugs as well as their potential suitability for neutron capture therapy.


METHODS
The survival of human melanoma cells has been determined by a colony assay and the sulforhodamine-B assay after X-irradiation and irradiation with fast d(14) + Be-neutrons using the boronated compound borocaptate sodium (BSH). The cytotoxic effects of BSH have been studied using both methods.


RESULTS
Under well-defined experimental conditions, and after a sufficient amount of time for the expression of radiation damage, the results of the sulforhodamine-B assay are qualitatively comparable with the results of the colony assay.


CONCLUSIONS
The sulforhodamine-B assay is suitable for the screening of compounds for potential use in neutron capture therapy because it is a fast and efficient method that is reproducible and technically advantageous.
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Essen, Germany.
A
A
Wittig
W
W
Sauerwein
F
F
Pöller
C
C
Fuhrmann
K
K
Hideghéty
C
C
Streffer
D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005214:Fast Neutrons; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012235:Rhodamines; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014410:Tumor Stem Cell Assay; D014965:X-Rays
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012235:Rhodamines; C022027:lissamine rhodamine B