First experimental proof of Proton Boron Capture Therapy (PBCT) to enhance protontherapy effectiveness

Sci Rep. 2018 Jan 18;8(1):1141. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-19258-5.

Abstract

Protontherapy is hadrontherapy's fastest-growing modality and a pillar in the battle against cancer. Hadrontherapy's superiority lies in its inverted depth-dose profile, hence tumour-confined irradiation. Protons, however, lack distinct radiobiological advantages over photons or electrons. Higher LET (Linear Energy Transfer) 12C-ions can overcome cancer radioresistance: DNA lesion complexity increases with LET, resulting in efficient cell killing, i.e. higher Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE). However, economic and radiobiological issues hamper 12C-ion clinical amenability. Thus, enhancing proton RBE is desirable. To this end, we exploited the p + 11B → 3α reaction to generate high-LET alpha particles with a clinical proton beam. To maximize the reaction rate, we used sodium borocaptate (BSH) with natural boron content. Boron-Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) uses 10B-enriched BSH for neutron irradiation-triggered alpha particles. We recorded significantly increased cellular lethality and chromosome aberration complexity. A strategy combining protontherapy's ballistic precision with the higher RBE promised by BNCT and 12C-ion therapy is thus demonstrated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alpha Particles / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Borohydrides / chemistry
  • Boron / chemistry
  • Boron / therapeutic use*
  • Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / instrumentation
  • Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / methods*
  • Carbon Isotopes / chemistry
  • Cell Death / radiation effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromosome Aberrations / radiation effects
  • Combined Modality Therapy / instrumentation
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods*
  • Cyclotrons
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • DNA, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • DNA, Neoplasm / radiation effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Karyotyping
  • Linear Energy Transfer
  • Male
  • Neutrons*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Proton Therapy* / instrumentation
  • Proton Therapy* / methods*
  • Relative Biological Effectiveness
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / chemistry

Substances

  • Borohydrides
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate
  • Boron