INTRO SENTENCE: UCLA researchers in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry have developed ultrasmall, boron oxide nanoparticles suitable for boron neutron capture therapy.
TITLE: Ultrasmall boron oxide nanoparticles for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)
BACKGROUND: Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is an emerging strategy for cancer treatment. 10Boron (10B), a stable boron isotope, is selectively concentrated into tumor cells and heated up by being exposed to thermal neutrons, resulting in the emission of gamma-rays, killing the tumor cells. As a result, BNCT is being practically investigated for the treatment of head and neck cancers that are otherwise difficult to treat with chemotherapeutics or other types of radiation treatments. Coupled with the revived interest due to breakthroughs achieved in medical neutron generation that does not rely on nuclear reactors has driven the need to create boron-rich scaffolds that are non-toxic and amenable to functionalization. To date, boron-based nanomaterials synthesized for potential use in BNCT include boron nanocomposites, boron nitride, boron carbide, and various boronated and boron-functionalized nanostructures. However, their relatively large sizes and morphologies can lead to inefficient cellular uptake and are unable to penetrate the blood brain barrier, reulsting in lower clearance from the body and increased accumulation in the body.
INNOVATION: UCLA researchers developed a method that allows for the preparation of uniform, ultra-small (4–5 nm) Boron oxide nanoparticles utilizing bulk boron oxide powder. This straightforward, two-step synthesis of biocompatible 10B oxide nanoparticles is faster, cheaper and more efficient that the multi-step routes currently applied to make molecular 10B- enriched boron-rich BNCT agents. This technology presents an inexpensive, scalable route towards making 10B-enriched boron oxide-based BNCT agents for commercial use, using cheap sstarting materials and at ambient conditions.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
• Boron neutron capture therapy
• Head and neck cancer
ADVANTAGES:
• Spatiotemporal control
• Cheap starting materials
• Boron oxide particles that are synthesized in ambient conditions
• Scalable
• Faster, cheaper and more efficient synthesis of boron oxide particles
• Ultra small (4-5 nm) and uniform particles