In vivo 19FMRI and 19FMRS of 19F-labelled boronophenylalanine–fructose complex on a C6 rat glioma model to optimize boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a promising binary modality used to treat malignant brain gliomas. To optimize BNCT effectiveness a noninvasive method is needed to monitor the spatial distribution of BNCT carriers in order to estimate the optimal timing for neutron irradiation. In this study, in vivo spatial distribution mapping and pharmacokinetics evaluation of the 19F-labelled boronophenylalanine (BPA) were performed using 19F magnetic resonance imaging (19F MRI) and 19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy (19F MRS). Characteristic uptake of 19F–BPA in C6 glioma showed a maximum at 2.5 h after compound infusion as confirmed by both 19F images and 19F spectra acquired on blood samples collected at different times after infusion. This study shows the ability of 19F MRI to selectively map the bio-distribution of 19F–BPA in a C6 rat glioma model, as well as providing a useful method to perform pharmacokinetics of BNCT carriers.