High Resolution Quantitative Auto-Radiography to determine microscopic distributions of B-10 in neutron capture therapy

Abstract

The success of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is heavily dependent on the microscopic distribution of B-10 in tissue. High Resolution Quantitative Auto-Radiography (HRQAR) is a potentially valuable analytical tool due to its ability to simultaneously visualize boron distributions and tissue histology. While powerful, the technique has fallen into disuse, largely due to its complexity. HRQAR was reconstituted, and its accuracy was verified with test samples. Numerous improvements were made to make the process easier and more efficient. Permanent staff members at the Institute were trained in the technique, ensuring the continued vitality of HRQAR. The image acquisition equipment and analysis software were modernized, and made more user-friendly. The microdosimetry analysis software was updated to current versions of programming environments and personal computer operating systems. Verification tests were conducted to ensure the continued accuracy of the underlying algorithms. Several experiments were conducted to demonstrate the applications of HRQAR. One focus of current BNCT research is the development of new boron delivery agents, so a potential new compound was compared with a current-generation boron compound. In order to underscore the broader range of utility of HRQAR, another experiment was conducted using the auto-radiography technique as verification of selective microvasculature irradiation.