Quantitative bioimaging of p-boronophenylalanine in thin liver tissue sections as a tool for treatment planning in boron neutron capture therapy

An analytical method using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) was developed and applied to assess enrichment of B-10-containing p-boronophenylalanine-fructose (BPA-f) and its pharmacokinetic distribution in human tissues after application for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). High spatial resolution (50 mu m) and limits of detection in the low parts-per-billion range were achieved using a Nd:YAG laser of 213 nm wavelength. External calibration by means of B-10-enriched standards based on whole blood proved to yield precise quantification results. Using this calibration method, quantification of B-10 in cancerous and healthy tissue was carried out. Additionally, the distribution of B-11 was investigated, providing B-10 enrichment in the investigated tissues. Quantitative imaging of B-10 by means of LA-ICP-MS was demonstrated as a new option to characterise the efficacy of boron compounds for BNCT.