Selective ablation of rat brain tumors by boron neutron capture therapy

Journal Article · Wed Mar 30 04:00:00 EST 1994 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(94)90480-4· OSTI ID:7060804

Coderre, J; Joel, D ^[1]; Rubin, P; Freedman, A; Hansen, J; Wooding, Jr, T S; Gash, D ^[2]

---

1. Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
2. Univ. of Rochester School of Medicine, NY (United States)

Damage to the surrounding normal brain tissue limits the amount of radiation that can be delivered to intracranial tumors. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a binary treatment that allows selective tumor irradiation. This study evaluates the damage imparted to the normal brain during BNCT or x-irradiation. The brains of rats with implanted 9L gliosarcomas were examined 1 year after tumor-curative doses of either 250 kV X-rays or BNCT. Histopathologic techniques included hematoxylin and eosin staining, horseradish peroxidase perfusion, and electron microscopy. Longterm X-ray survivors showed extensive cortical atrophy, loss of neurons, and widespread leakage of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), particularly around the tumor scar. In contrast, the brains and the BBB of longterm BNCT survivors appeared relatively normal under both light- and electron-microscopic examination. Intact blood vessels were observed running directly through the avascular, collagenous tumor scar. The selective therapeutic effect of BNCT is evident in comparison to x-irradiation. Both groups of animals showed no evidence of residual tumor at 1 year. However, with x-irradiation there is no therapeutic ratio and tumor eradication severely injuries the remaining brain parenchyma. These observations indicate a substantial therapeutic gain for BNCT. 50 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 7060804
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States), Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States) Vol. 28:5; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550603 -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EVALUATION
GLIOMAS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NEUTRON CAPTURE THERAPY
NEUTRON THERAPY
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SARCOMAS
THERAPY
X RADIATION