In vivo imaging of the neutron capture therapy agent BSH in mice using (10)B MRI

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is an experimental cancer treatment modality requiring the targeting of (10)B-enriched compounds to the tumor, which is then irradiated by low-energy neutrons. One of the boron-containing compounds used for this purpose is the mercaptoborane Na(2)B(12)H(11)SH (BSH). The first in vivo MR images of (10)B-enriched BSH are presented here. BSH, injected into the tail vein of mice with implanted M2R melanoma xenografts, was imaged using 3D gradient echo (10)B MRI. (10)B NMR spectroscopy, localized mainly to the tumor by virtue of the use of a small surface coil, was applied to measure the T(1) (2.9 +/- 0.3 ms) and T(2) (1.75 +/- 0.25 ms) values of the (10)B signal. The MRI experiments detected levels of about 20 ppm (microg boron / g tissue) at 6 x 6 x 6 mm spatial resolution in a total scan time of 16 min. Magn Reson Med 46:13-17, 2001.