Elemental Boron-10 Nanoparticles Synthesized by Laser Fragmentation for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy: In Vitro Experiments

Abstract

Elemental boron-10 nanoparticles synthesized by laser fragmentation of micropowder in isopropanol are used for the first time as a boron-containing agent for boron neutron capture therapy. The study is conducted on human cell cultures U87, BT474, and BJ-5TA. It is found that these nanoparticles are nontoxic to all three cell cultures at boron-10 concentrations required for successful boron neutron capture therapy. The cell cultures are pre-incubated with nanoparticles and then irradiated for 30 min with a beam of epithermal neutrons generated by the VITA accelerator source (BINP SB RAS, Novosibirsk). Using in vitro study results (MTT assay and clonogenic analysis), an enhancement of the therapeutic effect of boron neutron capture therapy is observed.