title: Effect of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) on normal liver regeneration: towards a novel therapy for liver metastases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effect of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) on normal liver regeneration was examined in the Wistar rat. The model used is clinically relevant to a novel technique proposed for the treatment of multifocal non-resectable liver metastases in man. The success of the technique also requires that BNCT should not significantly impair regeneration of normal hepatocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of therapeutic doses of boronophenylalanine (BPA), GB-10 (Na(2)(10)B(10)H(10)) and (GB-10 + BPA) and of BNCT mediated by these boron delivery agents on normal liver regeneration and liver function in the Wistar rat was examined using partial hepatectomy as the regenerative stimulus. The end-points evaluated were body weight, liver weight/body weight ratio, DNA synthesis in terms of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation, hemogram, kidney function in terms of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, liver function in terms of serum albumin, total and direct bilirubin and liver enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase) and liver histology/architecture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BNCT mediated by BPA, GB-10 or (GB-10 + BPA) did not cause alterations in the outcome of normal liver regeneration, regenerated liver function/proliferation or histology/architecture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BNCT protocols, at the physical doses selected, did not impair the capacity of normal liver hepatocytes to regenerate.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Oncología Angel H. Roffo, University of Buenos Aires.
authors.forename: Jorge E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Veronica A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Trivillin
authors.forename: Elisa M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Heber
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Nigg
authors.forename: Osvaldo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Calzetta
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Blaumann
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Longhino
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Itoiz
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bumaschny
authors.forename: Emiliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pozzi
authors.forename: Amanda E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Schwint
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001896:Boron Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001896:Boron Compounds; D010649:Phenylalanine; D004247:DNA; C033685:4-boronophenylalanine