Applications and perspectives of boron-enriched nanocomposites in cancer therapy

Future Med Chem. 2013 Apr;5(6):705-14. doi: 10.4155/fmc.13.47.

Abstract

Recently, boron compounds have attracted increasing attention both in academic laboratories and in the pharmaceutical industry. Boron, in particular the (10)B isotope, has the unique capability of absorbing a slow neutron to initiate a nuclear reaction with release of energetic particles such as α- and Li-particles, which is not observed in its carbon analogues. The nuclear capture reaction concept has been adopted in radiation therapy and used in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). BNCT is a potentially promising treatment for malignant brain tumors as well as other cancers, despite the limitation of a scarcity of neutron sources. There is the need in advanced research centers to construct high boron-containing composites as BNCT agents and develop more efficient drug carriers. This review discusses recent works on the development of boron-based therapeutic nanomaterials as BNCT agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Boron Compounds / chemistry*
  • Boron Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Nanocomposites / therapeutic use
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / therapeutic use
  • Nanotubes / chemistry

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Boron Compounds
  • boron nitride