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.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of therapeutic doses of boronophenylalanine (BPA), GB-10 (Na(2)(10)B(10)H(10)) 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-2'-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.
CONCLUSION: The BNCT protocols, at the physical doses selected, did not impair the capacity of normal liver hepatocytes to regenerate.