Subcellular localization of boron in cultured melanoma cells by electron energy-loss spectroscopy of freeze-dried cryosections |
| |
Authors: | J. Michel,W. Sauerwein,A. Wittig,G. Balossier,& K. Zierold&dagger |
| |
Affiliation: | INSERM ERM 0203Universitéde Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Essen, Germany; Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany |
| |
Abstract: | Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is based on the ability of the non‐radioactive isotope 10B to capture thermal neutrons and to disintegrate instantaneously. This reaction opens a way to selectively destroy tumour cells after specific uptake of 10B. In this paper, a method based on electron energy‐loss spectroscopy is presented for detecting and quantifying boron in freeze‐dried cryosections of human melanoma cells. A practical detection limit of around 6 mmol kg?1 in 0.1‐µm2 areas is estimated using specimens prepared from standard boron solutions. Preliminary results of boron mapping in the spectrum‐imaging acquisition mode reveal boron penetration and probably spot‐like accumulation within melanoma cells when exposed to culture medium containing sodium borocaptate. |
| |
Keywords: | Boron cryomethods detection limits digital filters electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) human melanoma cells neutron capture therapy (NCT) sodium borocaptate (BSH) spectrum-imaging |
|
|