title: Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for the treatment of spontaneous nasal planum squamous cell carcinoma in felines.
abstract: Recently, Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) was successfully applied to treat experimental squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the hamster cheek pouch mucosa, with no damage to normal tissue. It was also shown that treating spontaneous nasal planum SCC in terminal feline patients with low dose BNCT is safe and feasible. In an extension of this work, the present study aimed at evaluation of the response of tumor and dose-limiting normal tissues to potentially therapeutic BNCT doses. Biodistribution studies with (10)B-boronophenylalanine (BPA enriched in (10)B) as a (10)B carrier were performed on three felines that showed advanced nasal planum SCC without any standard therapeutic option. Following the biodistribution studies, BNCT mediated by (10)BPA was done using the thermalized epithermal neutron beam at the RA-6 Nuclear Reactor. Follow-up included clinical evaluation, assessment of macroscopic tumor and normal tissue response and biopsies for histopathological analysis. The treated animals did not show any apparent radiation-induced toxicity. All three animals exhibited partial tumor control and an improvement in clinical condition. Enhanced therapeutic efficacy was associated with a high (10)B content of the tumor and a small tumor size. BNCT is therefore believed to be potentially effective in the treatment of spontaneous SCC. However, improvement in targeting (10)B into all tumor cells and delivering a sufficient dose at a greater depth are still required for the treatment of deep-seated, large tumors. Future studies are needed to evaluate the potential efficacy of the dual mode cellular (e.g. BPA-BNCT) and vascular (e.g. GB-10-BNCT) targeting protocol in a preclinical scenario, employing combinations of (10)B compounds with different properties and complementary uptake mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiobiology, National Atomic Energy Commission, Av. General Paz 1499, B1650KNA, San Martin, Province Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Verónica A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Trivillin
authors.forename: Elisa M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Heber
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: María A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cantarelli
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Itoiz
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: Amanda E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Schwint
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001895:Boron / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002415:Cats; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D007554:Isotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009502:Neutrons / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009666:Nose / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007554:Isotopes; D010649:Phenylalanine; D001895:Boron