Experimental application of boron neutron capture therapy to undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma

Authors:   Maria Dagrosa,Mabel Viaggi,Juan Longhino,Osvaldo Calzetta,Romulo Cabrini,Martín Edreira,Guillermo Juvenal,Mario Pisarev
Journal: International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-3016(03)00778-8
Abstract: Purpose: Undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma (UTC) lacks an effective treatment. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is based on the nuclear reaction 10B(n,$alpha$) 7Li. These particles destroy the tumor locally due to their high linear energy transfer (LET). Mice transplanted with the human cell line of UTC ARO have a selective uptake of 10B-borophenylalanine (BPA). The complete BNCT was performed to explore its possible application. Methods and Materials: Mice were distributed into four groups: (1) no treatment; (2) neutron beam alone; (3) 350 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) BPA plus irradiation; (4) 600 mg/kg b.w. BPA plus irradiation. Follow-up was performed by measurement of tumor volume, histologic analysis, and assessment of DNA damage using the comet assay. Results: The tumor continued to grow in Groups 1 and 2. In Group 3, a slow-down of tumor growth was observed in all mice, and a complete stop was observed in 100% of mice of Group 4. Complete disappearance of the tumor was observed in 50% of the mice that had an initial tumor volume of less than 50 mm3 (Groups 3 and 4). DNA damage showed a progressive increase from Group 1 through 4. Conclusion: These data show, for the first time, that UTC is amenable to treatment by BNCT. {textcopyright} 2003 Elsevier Inc.