Specialists of the Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology (a branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) and the Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) SB RAS, on March 1, the service reports BINP SB RAS press release.
One of the promising high-tech methods of treating malignant tumors is boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), in which a stable non-radioactive boron-10 isotope accumulates in tumor cells, after which it is irradiated with neutrons.
The absorption of a neutron by boron gives rise to a nuclear reaction, which is accompanied by the release of 84% of the reaction energy in the cell containing the boron nucleus and its subsequent death. Currently, clinics in Japan, China and South Korea are already performing BNCT and are going to introduce such therapy in Russia.
INP SB RAS previously delivered a neutron source for BZNT to China and is now manufacturing a similar device for Russia.
According to the theory, a 100% release of the nuclear reaction energy in tumor cells can be achieved if lithium-6, instead of boron-10, accumulates in them; however, the corresponding scientific studies have not been previously carried out in the world.
This void was filled by a team of scientists from Novosibirsk. The results of their studies on the possibility of substituting boron-10 isotopes for lithium-6 for a BZNT-like oncotherapy were presented in the article “Studying lithium biodistribution and nephrotoxicity in a mouse model of cutaneous melanoma”. : the first step towards the introduction of lithium neutron capture therapy”, published in the journal life.
The researchers demonstrated that the use of lithium instead of boron for neutron capture therapy (NCT) of malignancies is a promising strategy for the further development of NRT, which will allow achieving 100% local energy delivery in cells. tumors without damaging the kidneys.
Thus, the study of the Novosibirsk scientists was the first step towards the creation of a lithium neutron capture therapy for oncological diseases – LNNT, more effective than the currently used BNNT.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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