Selective uptake of boronophenylalanine by glioma stem/progenitor cells

The success of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) depends on the amount of boron in cells and the tumor/blood and tumor/(normal tissue) boron concentration ratios. For the first time, measurements of boron uptake in both stem/progenitor and differentiated glioma cells were performed along with measurements of boron biodistribution in suitable animal models. In glioma stem/progenitor cells, the selective accumulation of boronophenylalanine (BPA) was lower, and retention of boron after BPA removal was longer than in differentiated glioma cells in vitro. However, boron biodistribution was not statistically significantly different in mice with xenografts.

► Uptake of BPA was analyzed in stem/progenitor and differentiated glioma cells.
► Selective accumulation of BPA was lower in glioma stem/progenitor cells.
► Retention of boron after BPA removal was longer in glioma stem/progenitor cells.
► Boron biodistribution was not statistically different in mice with xenografts.