Gd-B-AC01

Gd-B-AC01 is a dual-modality theranostic agent designed for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The molecule is a synthetic complex consisting of a carborane unit containing ten boron-10 atoms for therapeutic neutron capture, a cholesterol moiety to facilitate stable incorporation into liposomal bilayers, and a gadolinium(III) monoamide DOTA-like complex that serves as an MRI contrast agent. In preclinical research, Gd-B-AC01 is typically delivered via folate-receptor-targeted liposomes to specifically target tumors overexpressing folate receptors, such as ovarian cancer. Upon irradiation with thermal neutrons, the boron-10 atoms undergo a nuclear fission reaction that releases high-energy alpha particles and lithium-7 nuclei, leading to localized tumor cell death through DNA damage. The gadolinium component allows for non-invasive monitoring and quantification of the agent's concentration within the tumor using MRI, which helps in optimizing the timing of neutron irradiation.