title: Boron analysis and boron imaging in biological materials for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT).
abstract: Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is based on the ability of the stable isotope 10B to capture neutrons, which leads to a nuclear reaction producing an alpha- and a 7Li-particle, both having a high biological effectiveness and a very short range in tissue, being limited to approximately one cell diameter. This opens the possibility for a highly selective cancer therapy. BNCT strongly depends on the selective uptake of 10B in tumor cells and on its distribution inside the cells. The chemical properties of boron and the need to discriminate different isotopes make the investigation of the concentration and distribution of 10B a challenging task. The most advanced techniques to measure and image boron are described, both invasive and non-invasive. The most promising approach for further investigation will be the complementary use of the different techniques to obtain the information that is mandatory for the future of this innovative treatment modality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany. andrea.wittig@uni-due.de
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wittig
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Raymond L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: Finn
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stecher-Rasmussen
authors.forename: Heinrich F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Arlinghaus
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bendel
authors.forename: Pier Luigi
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Altieri
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hilger
authors.forename: Piero A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Salvadori
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Menichetti
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zamenhof
authors.forename: Wolfgang A G
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Sauerwein
mesh_terms: D001345:Autoradiography; D001895:Boron / Q000378:metabolism*; D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007554:Isotopes; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011853:Radiobiology / Q000379:methods; D013051:Spectrometry, Gamma; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D046590:Spectroscopy, Electron Energy-Loss; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D007554:Isotopes; D001895:Boron