Boron-10 nucleus (10B) (10B)

Boron-10 nucleus (10B) is a stable, non-radioactive isotope of boron that serves as the essential target in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) (Barth et al., 2012). This binary treatment modality relies on the selective delivery of Boron-10 to tumor cells using specialized boron-carrying drugs like Boronophenylalanine (BPA) (Moss, 2014). Once the target is concentrated within the tumor, the area is irradiated with low-energy thermal or epithermal neutrons (Sauerwein et al., 2012). The Boron-10 nucleus has a high cross-section for capturing these neutrons, leading to an immediate nuclear fission reaction (Nedunchezhian et al., 2016). This reaction releases high-energy alpha particles and lithium-7 nuclei that travel only a short distance, typically 5 to 9 micrometers (Barth et al., 2012). Because this distance is roughly the diameter of a single cell, the destructive energy is confined to the cells containing the boron (Moss, 2014). The resulting high linear energy transfer (LET) causes complex double-strand DNA breaks that are difficult for the cell to repair (Sauerwein et al., 2012). This mechanism allows for the precise destruction of malignant cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues (Nedunchezhian et al., 2016). BNCT is particularly useful for treating infiltrative tumors like glioblastoma and recurrent head and neck cancers where surgical margins are difficult to define (Barth et al., 2012).

Other names

Boron-1010B isotopeStable boron-10 isotopeBoron-10 isotope

Boron neutron capture reaction (10B(n,alpha)7Li) where the capture of a thermal neutron by a Boron-10 nucleus results in the emission of high-energy alpha particles and lithium-7 nuclei, causing localized double-strand DNA breaks and cell death.