A dual natural lithium formate/L-alanine EPR dosimeter for a mixed radiation field in a boron neutron capture therapy irradiation facility

Standard commercial L-alanine pellets and specially prepared natural lithium formate monohydrate powder samples of specific granulometry were irradiated in a 60Co gamma-ray irradiation plant and in the mixed field (thermal neutrons and gamma photons) of a boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) experimental facility. The γ-doses applied with the 60Co source range from 0.1 to 50 kGy, while those in the BNCT facility go from ∼7 Gy to 150 Gy. The thermal neutron fluences range from 1012 neutrons cm-2 to 2 1013 neutrons cm-2. The irradiation of materials promotes the creation of stable electronic defects (generally free radicals) which constitute paramagnetic centers that can be detected and quantified by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). After irradiation, the EPR characterization of the samples was performed by determining the EPR intensity of the spectrum relative to a reference standard constituted by Mn2+ impurities diluted into a MgO single crystal. As expected, L-alanine has revealed to be largely insensitive to thermal neutrons fluence in the investigated range. On the contrary, it is shown that the EPR intensity of irradiated natural lithium formate monohydrate powders is clearly sensitive to thermal neutrons and has a linear dependence with the γ-dose. We propose a dual dosimeter by combining L-alanine pellets and formate powders that would allow to determine the γ-dose and thermal neutron fluence in a selected position of the BNCT irradiation facility. Moreover, we demonstrate that the 6Li enrichment that has been proposed in the literature to enhance the performance of lithium-based EPR dosimeters is not crucial in our case. Instead, the natural isotopic abundance of lithium is large enough to obtain a satisfactory sensibility to thermal neutrons in our BNCT facility for fluencies >1012 neutrons cm-2.Fil: Alejandro, Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche | Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche.; ArgentinaFil: Longhino, Juan Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche | Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche.; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Nadia Roxana. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear; ArgentinaFil: Pawlak, Eva. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Butera, Alejandro Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche | Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche.; Argentin

Rhodium self-powered neutron detector as a suitable on-line thermal neutron flux monitor in BNCT treatments

A rhodium self-powered neutron detector (Rh SPND) has been specifically developed by the Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica (CNEA) of Argentina to measure locally and in real time thermal neutron fluxes in patients treated with boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). In this work, the thermal and epithermal neutron response of the Rh SPND was evaluated by studying the detector response to two different reactor spectra. In addition, during clinical trials of the BNCT Project of the CNEA, on-line neutron flux measurements using the specially designed detector were assessed. The first calibration of the detector was done with the well-thermalized neutron spectrum of the CNEA RA-3 reactor thermal column. For this purpose, the reactor spectrum was approximated by a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution in the thermal energy range. The second calibration was done at different positions along the central axis of a water-filled cylindrical phantom, placed in the mixed thermal-epithermal neutron beam of CNEA RA-6 reactor. In this latter case, the RA-6 neutron spectrum had been well characterized by both calculation and measurement, and it presented some marked differences with the ideal spectrum considered for SPND calibrations at RA-3. In addition, the RA-6 neutron spectrum varied with depth in the water phantom and thus the percentage of the epithermal contribution to the total neutron flux changed at each measurement location. Local (one point-position) and global (several points-positions) and thermal and mixed-field thermal neutron sensitivities were determined from these measurements. Thermal neutron flux was also measured during BNCT clinical trials within the irradiation fields incident on the patients. In order to achieve this, the detector was placed on patient´s skin at dosimetric reference points for each one of the fields. System stability was adequate for this kind of measurement. Local mixed-field thermal neutron sensitivities and global thermal and mixed-field thermal neutron sensitivities derived from measurements performed at the RA-6 were compared and no significant differences were found. Global RA-6-based thermal neutron sensitivity showed agreement with pure thermal neutron sensitivity measurements performed in the RA-3 spectrum. Additionally, the detector response proved nearly unchanged by differences in neutron spectra from real (RA-6 BNCT beam) and ideal (considered for calibration calculations at RA-3) neutron source descriptions. The results confirm that the special design of the Rh SPND can be considered as having a pure thermal response for neutron spectra with epithermal-to-thermal flux ratios up to 12%. In addition, the linear response of the detector to thermal flux allows the use of a mixed-field thermal neutron sensitivity of 1.95 ± 0.05 × 10(-21) A n(-1)[middle dot]cm² [middle dot]s. This sensitivity can be used in spectra with up to 21% epithermal-to-thermal flux ratio without significant error due to epithermal neutron and gamma induced effects. The values of the measured fluxes in clinical applications had discrepancies with calculated results that were in the range of -25% to +30%, which shows the importance of a local on-line independent measurement as part of a treatment planning quality control system. The usefulness of the CNEA Rh SPND for the on-line local measurement of thermal neutron flux on BNCT patients has been demonstrated based on an appropriate neutron spectra calibration and clinical applications.Fil: Miller, Marcelo Eduardo. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Sztejnberg, Manuel L.. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: González, Sara Josefina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Thorp, Silvia Inés. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Longhino, Juan Manuel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Estryk, Guillermo. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentin

Experimental studies for the personalized application of boron neutron capture therapy to the treatment of cutaneous melanoma

Background: Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a binary modality based on the nuclear reaction 10B (n, α) lithium-7 (7Li) that has been used to treat a variety of tumors, among these, cutaneous melanoma (CM). In previous boron biodistribution studies in agreement with the personalized oncology, we have demonstrated that boronophenylalanine (BPA) uptake can be correlated with the tumoral temperature and viability. The main aim of these studies was to evaluate the relationship between tumoral temperature and the response to the complete BNCT. Methods: Nude mice were implanted with human melanoma cells (Mel J) and divided into different groups (Control, NCT, BNCT I and BNCT II) and irradiated with the thermal neutron beam from RA-6 (4.96× 108/cm2/sec) during 37 and 55 minutes respectively. Tumor and body temperatures were measured by Static Infrared Imaging (SIRI), and it was performed the following up of the animals. Results: Tumor growth showed a complete growth inhibition during the first 20 days after treatment in both BNCT groups (BNCT I and BNCT II vs. Control P<0.001). Considering the analogy between the Fourier's Law of Heat Conduction and the Ohm's law of Electrical Conduction, the quantity (T_tum-T_ inf)/(T_body-T_tum) was analyzed as a function of Vf/Vi (Final volume/Initial volume) ratio. A tendency to higher values of the temperature's ratios, was observed with respect to the degree of tumor control (BNCT I with a R2 of 0.3527, BNCTII with a R2 of 0.3327) in agreement with previous boron biodistribution studies. The histology and immunohistochemical studies showed larger areas of necrosis and picnotic regions and a significant decrease of the Ki-67 antibody labeling in the BNCT II group evidencing important tumor damage. Conclusions: tumoral characteristics, especially the temperature, could be used to plan a personalized treatment for each patient. As values of correlation between temperature and tumoral response showed to be weak, we considered to explore a new model of three dimension for heat transport process.Fil: Carpano, Marina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Santa Cruz, Gustavo Alberto. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Carla. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Nievas, Susana Isabel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Olivera, María Silvina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Perona, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Boggio, Esteban Fabián. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Longhino, Juan Manuel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Pisarev, Mario Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Juvenal, Guillermo Juan. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Dagrosa, María Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Effect of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) on normal liver regeneration: Towards a novel therapy for liver metastases

Purpose: The effect of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) on normal liver regeneration was examined in the Wistar rat. The model used is clinically relevant to a novel technique proposed for the treatment of multifocal non-resectable liver metastases in man. The success of the technique also requires that BNCT should not significantly impair regeneration of normal hepatocytes.The effect of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) on normal liver regeneration was examined in the Wistar rat. The model used is clinically relevant to a novel technique proposed for the treatment of multifocal non-resectable liver metastases in man. The success of the technique also requires that BNCT should not significantly impair regeneration of normal hepatocytes. Materials and methods: The effect of therapeutic doses of boronophenylalanine (BPA), GB-10 (Na2 10B10H10) and (GB-10+BPA) and of BNCT mediated by these boron delivery agents on normal liver regeneration and liver function in the Wistar rat was examined using partial hepatectomy as the regenerative stimulus. The end-points evaluated were body weight, liver weight/body weight ratio, DNA synthesis in terms of 5-bromo-20-deoxyuridine incorporation, hemogram, kidney function in terms of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, liver function in terms of serum albumin, total and direct bilirubin and liver enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase) and liver histology/architecture.The effect of therapeutic doses of boronophenylalanine (BPA), GB-10 (Na2 10B10H10) and (GB-10+BPA) and of BNCT mediated by these boron delivery agents on normal liver regeneration and liver function in the Wistar rat was examined using partial hepatectomy as the regenerative stimulus. The end-points evaluated were body weight, liver weight/body weight ratio, DNA synthesis in terms of 5-bromo-20-deoxyuridine incorporation, hemogram, kidney function in terms of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, liver function in terms of serum albumin, total and direct bilirubin and liver enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase) and liver histology/architecture.B10H10) and (GB-10+BPA) and of BNCT mediated by these boron delivery agents on normal liver regeneration and liver function in the Wistar rat was examined using partial hepatectomy as the regenerative stimulus. The end-points evaluated were body weight, liver weight/body weight ratio, DNA synthesis in terms of 5-bromo-20-deoxyuridine incorporation, hemogram, kidney function in terms of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, liver function in terms of serum albumin, total and direct bilirubin and liver enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase) and liver histology/architecture.0-deoxyuridine incorporation, hemogram, kidney function in terms of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, liver function in terms of serum albumin, total and direct bilirubin and liver enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase) and liver histology/architecture. Results: BNCT mediated by BPA, GB-10 or (GB-10+BPA) did not cause alterations in the outcome of normal liver regeneration, regenerated liver function/proliferation or histology/architecture. BNCT mediated by BPA, GB-10 or (GB-10+BPA) did not cause alterations in the outcome of normal liver regeneration, regenerated liver function/proliferation or histology/architecture. Conclusion: The BNCT protocols, at the physical doses selected, did not impair the capacity of normal liver hepatocytes to regenerate.The BNCT protocols, at the physical doses selected, did not impair the capacity of normal liver hepatocytes to regenerate.Fil: Cardoso, Jorge E.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Trivillin, Verónica Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; ArgentinaFil: Heber, Elisa Mercedes. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; ArgentinaFil: Nigg, David W.. Idaho National Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Calzetta, Osvaldo. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Blaumann, Herman Roberto. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Longhino, Juan Manuel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Itoiz, María Elina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Odontología; ArgentinaFil: Bumaschny, Eduardo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Pozzi, Emiliano César Cayetano. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Ezeiza; ArgentinaFil: Schwint, Amanda Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; Argentin

Clinical veterinary boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) studies in dogs with head and neck cancer: Bridging the gap between translational and clinical studies

Translational Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) studies performed by our group and clinical BNCT studies worldwide have shown the therapeutic efficacy of BNCT for head and neck cancer. The present BNCT studies in veterinary patients with head and neck cancer were performed to optimize the therapeutic efficacy of BNCT, contribute towards exploring the role of BNCT in veterinary medicine, put in place technical aspects for an upcoming clinical trial of BNCT for head and neck cancer at the RA-6 Nuclear Reactor, and assess the feasibility of employing the existing B2 beam to treat large, deep-seated tumors. Five dogs with head and neck cancer with no other therapeutic option were treated with two applications of BNCT mediated by boronophenyl-alanine (BPA) separated by 3–5 weeks. Two to three portals per BNCT application were used to achieve a potentially therapeutic dose over the tumor without exceeding normal tissue tolerance. Clinical and Computed Tomography results evidenced partial tumor control in all cases, with slight-moderate mucositis, excellent life quality, and prolongation in the survival time estimated at recruitment. These exploratory studies show the potential value of BNCT in veterinary medicine and contribute towards initiating a clinical BNCT trial for head and neck cancer at the RA-6 clinical facility.Fil: Schwint, Amanda Elena. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Departamento de Radiobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Monti Hughes, Andrea. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Departamento de Radiobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Garabalino, Marcela Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Santa Cruz, Gustavo Alberto. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: González, Sara Josefina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Longhino, Juan Manuel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Provenzano, Lucas. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Oña, Paulina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Instituto de Tecnologías Nucleares para la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Rao, Monica. Hospital Veterinario; ArgentinaFil: Cantarelli, María de los Ángeles. Hospital Veterinario; ArgentinaFil: Leiras, Andrea. No especifíca;Fil: Olivera, María Silvina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Trivillin, Verónica Andrea. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Departamento de Radiobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Alessandrini, Paula. No especifíca;Fil: Brollo, Fabricio Raul. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Boggio, Esteban Fabián. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Costa, Hernan. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Instituto de Tecnologías Nucleares para la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Ventimiglia, Romina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Instituto de Tecnologías Nucleares para la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Binia, Sergio. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Instituto de Tecnologías Nucleares para la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Pozzi, Emiliano César Cayetano. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Nievas, Susana Isabel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Santa Cruz, Iara S.. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentin

Synthesis and evaluation of thermal neutron attenuation properties of lithium orthosilicate for its application as a beam shaping material on BNCT facilities

Thermal neutron attenuation capacity of Li4SiO4 was evaluated to assess its potential capabilities as a beam shaping material for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) facilities. Samples of Li4SiO4 were prepared by two different synthesis methods, using different raw materials and were characterized using x-ray, electron diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Neutron measurements were performed at the BNCT and the neutron radiography facilities of Centro Atómico Bariloche. Considering its natural isotopic abundance, Li4SiO4 proved to be remarkably effective in comparison with other neutron-absorbing materials. Given the availability of natural Lithium in local salt mines and the scalable feasibility, Li4SiO4 qualifies as a potential material for BNCT beam shaping applications.Fil: Rada Vilela, Evilus. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche | Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche.; ArgentinaFil: Longhino, Juan Manuel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Marín, Julio Héctor. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Moreno, Mario Sergio Jesus. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche | Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche.; Argentin

The essential role of radiobiological figures of merit for the assessment and comparison of beam performances in boron neutron capture therapy

Purpose: Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a treatment modality that uses an external neutron beam to selectively inactive boron10-loaded tumor cells. This work presents the development and innovative use of radiobiological probability models to adequately evaluate and compare the therapeutic potential and versatility of beams presenting different neutron energy spectra. M&M: Aforementioned characteristics, collectively refer to as the performance of a beam, were defined on the basis of radiobiological probability models for the first time in BNCT. A model of uncomplicated tumor control probability (UTCP) for HN cancer was introduced. This model considers a NTCP able to predict severe mucositis and a TCP for non-uniform doses derived herein. A systematic study comprising a simplified HN cancer model is presented as a practical application of the introduced radiobiological figures of merit (FOM) for assessing and comparing the performance of different clinical beams. Applications involving treated HN cancer patients were also analyzed. Results: The maximum UTCP proved suitable and sensitive to assess the performance of a beam, revealing particularities of the studied sources that the physical FOMs do not highlight. The radiobiological FOMs evaluated in patients showed to be useful tools both for retrospective analysis of the BNCT treatments, and for prospective studies of beam optimization and feasibility. Conclusions: The presented developments and applications demonstrated that it is possible to assess and compare performances of completely different beams fairly and adequately by assessing the radiobiological FOM UTCP. Thus, this figure would be a practical and essential aid to guide treatment decisions.Fil: Provenzano, Lucas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Koivunoro, H.. No especifíca;Fil: Postuma, I.. Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare; ItaliaFil: Longhino, Juan Manuel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Boggio, Esteban Fabián. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Farías, R. O.. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Bortolussi, Silva. Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare; Italia. Universita degli Studi di Pavia; ItaliaFil: González, Sara Josefina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Neutron imaging based on transfer foil activation and COTS CMOS image sensors

In this paper we present a method for obtention of neutron images with Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) CMOS image sensors through the activation of indium foils. This detection method has been designed specifically for the acquisition of thermal and epitermal neutron images in mixed beams with a high gamma flux, and also for the study of high radioactive samples that are usually placed into research reactor pools. We also present a technique to obtain multi-spectral neutron images taking advantage of the high neutron absorption cross-section of this material in the thermal energy range, as well as around the 1.45 eV resonance. Measurements performed in a neutron beam of the RA6 nuclear research reactor located in Bariloche, Argentina, confirm the capability of the proposed technique.Fil: Pérez, Martín. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro. Archivo Histórico del Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Balseiro. Archivo Histórico del Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; ArgentinaFil: Abbate, O. I.. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Lipovetzky, José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología - Nodo Bariloche | Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología - Nodo Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Alcalde Bessia, Fabricio Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología - Nodo Bariloche | Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología - Nodo Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez, F. A.. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro. Archivo Histórico del Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Balseiro. Archivo Histórico del Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro; ArgentinaFil: Sofo Haro, Miguel Francisco. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro. Archivo Histórico del Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Balseiro. Archivo Histórico del Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; ArgentinaFil: Longhino, Juan Manuel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro. Archivo Histórico del Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Balseiro. Archivo Histórico del Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Berisso, Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro. Archivo Histórico del Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Balseiro. Archivo Histórico del Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro; ArgentinaFil: Blostein, Juan Jeronimo. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro. Archivo Histórico del Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Balseiro. Archivo Histórico del Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentin

Experimental studies of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) using histone deacetylase (HDACI) sodium butyrate, as a complementary drug for the treatment of poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC)

Purpose: The present study analyzed different protocols of administration of boronophenylalanine (BPA) and sodium butyrate (NaB) to increase the BNCT efficacy for poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC). Materials and methods: Nude mice implanted with human PDTC cells (WRO) were distributed into four protocols: 1) BPA; 2) BPA + ip NaB; 3) BPA + oral NaB; 4) Control. Biodistribution and histologic studies were performed. LAT (BPA transporter) isoforms gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR. Results: Tumor growth delay was observed in animals of the Protocol #3 (p < 0.05). NaB (Protocol #2) increased tumor boron uptake 2-h post BPA injection (p < 0.05). On the other hand, NaB upregulated the expression of all the isoforms of the LAT transporter in vitro. Histologic studies showed a significant decrease of mitotic activity and an increase of vacuoles in tumors of Protocol #3. Neutrons alone or combined with NaB caused some tumor growth delay (p < 0.05), while in the BNCT and BNCT + NaB groups, there was a halt in tumor growth in 70 and 80% of the animals, respectively. Conclusions: Intraperitoneally administration of NaB increased boron uptake while oral administration for a longer period of time induced tumor growth delay previous to BPA administration. The use of NaB via ip would optimize the irradiation results.Fil: Perona, Marina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Departamento de Radiobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Majdalani, Eduardo Enrique. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, Carla. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Nievas, Susana Isabel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Carpano, Marina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Rossini, Andrés Eugenio. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Departamento de Radiobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Longhino, Juan Manuel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Cabrini, Romulo Luis. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Pisarev, Mario Alberto. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Departamento de Radiobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Juvenal, Guillermo Juan. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Departamento de Radiobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Dagrosa, María Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Departamento de Radiobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

A prospective study to assess the performance of the improved Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Facility in Argentina

From 2008 to 2011, several planned modifications were implemented at the RA-6 reactor in Argentina, leading to significant benefits for future BNCT treatments. New capabilities have been implemented in NCTPlan treatment planning system. To assess the performance of the new BNCT facility, a dosimetric reevaluation of previous clinical cases was performed, taking into account the modifications carried out in the new facility and compared the results of the original treatment plans with optimized plans that are considered as feasible patient setups.Fil: Provenzano, Lucas. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Farías, Rubén Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Favaloro; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Longhino, Juan Manuel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Boggio, Esteban F.. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Herrera, Maria Silvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Moijsecsiuck, Natanael. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Carlos. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Santa Cruz, Gustavo Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: González, Sara Josefina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentin