Studies for the application of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in a melanoma animal model.

CARPANO M,; RODRIGUEZ C; NIEVAS S; LONGHINO J,; SANTA CRUZ G,; JUVENAL G; PISAREV M; DAGROSA MA

MISSOURI, COLUMBIA

Congreso; 17 th International congress of boron nêutron capture therapy (BNCT).; 2016

Society of Neutron Capture Therapy

Melanoma is characterized by therapeutic resistance, aggressive clinical behavior, and predisposition to develop metastasis. Recent studies indicate that the incidence of melanoma has increased steadily in the last three decades. Application of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) could be an option for the treatment of melanoma. BNCT is a kind of radiation therapy that offers a suitable way to kill tumor cells without significantly harming surrounding normal tissues. Successful application of this therapy depends primarily on the ability of the boron compound to selectively accumulate in tumor cells. Over time, we performed different studies in our laboratory in order to optimize the individual application of BNCT for cutaneous melanoma treatments. Furthermore, mice implanted with one of these cell lines developed tumors with different biological and physical characteristics, showing a positive correlation between BPA uptake, percentage of viable cells and tumor temperature. The aim of these studies was to evaluate whether the observed correlation between intratumoral boron content, tumor temperature and cell viability translates into a better response to BNCT irradiation. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to optimize the application of BNCT in order to improve melanoma BNCT treatments by seeking a correlation between biological and physical markers of boron uptake and tumor response. BNCT is a kind of radiation therapy that offers a suitable way to kill tumor cells without significantly harming surrounding normal tissues. Successful application of this therapy depends primarily on the ability of the boron compound to selectively accumulate in tumor cells. Over time, we performed different studies in our laboratory in order to optimize the individual application of BNCT for cutaneous melanoma treatments. Previously, we have shown that different human melanoma cell lines have different patterns of boronophenylalanine ( 10BPA) uptake. Furthermore, mice implanted with one of these cell lines developed tumors with different biological and physical characteristics, showing a positive correlation between BPA uptake, percentage of viable cells and tumor temperature. Objectives: The aim of these studies was to evaluate whether the observed correlation between intratumoral boron content, tumor temperature and cell viability translates into a better response to BNCT irradiation. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to optimize the application of BNCT by increasing dose received in tumors and evaluate therapeutic response curves vs tumor temperature in order to improve melanoma BNCT treatments by seeking a correlation between biological and physical markers of boron uptake and tumor response. Methods: 30 male NIH nude mice were implanted subcutaneously (s.c.) in the right flank with 3 x106 Mel-J cells. The animals were divided into 2 groups: 1) Sham irradiated (control group); 2) BNCT (neutron beam plus BPA, 350 mg/kg b.w.). Each mouse was labeled and irradiated in the hyperthermal neutron beam of the Argentine RA-6 research nuclear reactor