title: Subcellular localization of boron in cultured melanoma cells by electron energy-loss spectroscopy of freeze-dried cryosections.
abstract: Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is based on the ability of the non-radioactive isotope 10B to capture thermal neutrons and to disintegrate instantaneously. This reaction opens a way to selectively destroy tumour cells after specific uptake of 10B. In this paper, a method based on electron energy-loss spectroscopy is presented for detecting and quantifying boron in freeze-dried cryosections of human melanoma cells. A practical detection limit of around 6 mmol kg-1 in 0.1- micro m2 areas is estimated using specimens prepared from standard boron solutions. Preliminary results of boron mapping in the spectrum-imaging acquisition mode reveal boron penetration and probably spot-like accumulation within melanoma cells when exposed to culture medium containing sodium borocaptate.
authors.affiliation: INSERM ERM 0203Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France. jean.michel@univ-reims.fr
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sauerwein
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wittig
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balossier
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zierold
mesh_terms: D001895:Boron / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016616:Cryoultramicrotomy; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013347:Subcellular Fractions; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D001895:Boron