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Published on: December 18, 2016
Neuropathological postmortem evaluation of BNCT for GBM
B H-Stenstam1, L Pellettieri, K Sköld
1Nyköping Hospital, County of Sormland, Sweden.
Background:
Thirty patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) were treated by boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) at the Studsvik facility in Sweden, in a clinical trial exploring a procedure in which 900 mg p-boronophenylalanine (BPA) per kilo body weight was infused in 6 h.
Objective:
The present study was designed to assess tumor efficacy and radiation damage to the brain for the seven patients in the Studsvik trial that were available for postmortem neuropathological examination.
Method:
Whole brain slices containing the initial tumor site and other regions showing pathological changes were chosen for microscopy and selected areas were studied by immunological methods.
Results:
Local control of GBM was observed in all cases. Conclusive evidence for radiation induced brain damage was not found.
Conclusion:
Using a novel procedure for BPA infusion, BNCT achieves local control of GBM for minimum tumor doses as low as 15 wGy, allowing treatment with very low concomitant doses to surrounding healthy tissues.
