Abstract
Neutron capture therapy, such as boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and gadolinium neutron capture therapy (GdNCT), has been attracting much attention as a next-generation radiotherapy. Nanoparticles containing both boron and gadolinium can accumulate in tumours because of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, thereby simultaneously rendering the benefits of BNCT and GdNCT. In this study, we obtained flake-shaped gadolinium borate (GdBO3) nanoparticles, approximately 80 nm in length and 20 nm in width, by hydrothermal treatment of a solution containing gadolinium chloride, boric acid, and polyethylene glycol at 220 °C for 24 h. These GdBO3 nanoparticles did not show any serious cytotoxic effect against human umbilical vein endothelial cells over a concentration range of 3–300 µg·mL–1. The results suggest that GdBO3 nanoparticles can accumulate in tumours because of the EPR effect and can function as boron and gadolinium nanocarriers for neutron capture therapy. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed for the application of these nanoparticles in neutron capture therapy.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Mr. Takamichi Miyazaki (Technical Division, School of Engineering, Tohoku University) for TEM observation of the samples.
Funding
This work was partially supported by the Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Project “Design & Engineering by Joint Inverse Innovation for Materials Architecture” from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Japan.
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Mikami, K., Kanetaka, H., Furuya, M. et al. Hydrothermal synthesis and preliminary cytotoxicity assessment of gadolinium borate nanoparticles for neutron capture therapy. J Nanopart Res 23, 201 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-021-05311-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-021-05311-4