Insights into the use of gadolinium and gadolinium/boron-based agents in imaging-guided neutron capture therapy applications

Authors:   Annamaria Deagostino,Nicoletta Protti,Diego Alberti,Paolo Boggio,Silva Bortolussi,Saverio Altieri,Simonetta Crich
Journal: Future Medicinal Chemistry
https://doi.org/10.4155/fmc-2016-0022
Abstract: Gadolinium neutron capture therapy (Gd-NCT) is currently under development as an alternative approach for cancer therapy. All of the clinical experience to date with NCT is done with 10B, known as boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a binary treatment combining neutron irradiation with the delivery of boron-containing compounds to tumors. Currently, the use of Gd for NCT has been getting more attention because of its highest neutron cross-section. Although Gd-NCT was first proposed many years ago, its development has suffered due to lack of appropriate tumor-selective Gd agents. This review aims to highlight the recent advances for the design, synthesis and biological testing of new Gd- and B-Gd-containing compounds with the task of finding the best systems able to improve the NCT clinical outcome.