A Simple and Rapid Method for Measurement of 10B-para-Boronophenylalanine in the Blood for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Using Fluorescence Spectrophotometry

Boron/Neutron/Capture/Therapy. Background and Purpose: B-10 deriving from B-10-para-boronophenylalanine (BPA) and B-10-borocaptate sodium (BSH) have been detected in blood samples of patients undergoing boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) using prompt gamma ray spectrometer or Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) method, respectively. However. the concentration of cacti compound cannot be ascertained because boron atoms in both molecules are the target in these assays. Here, we propose a simple and rapid method to measure only BPA by detecting fluorescence based on the characteristics of phenylalanine. Material and Methods; B-10 concentrations of blood samples from human or mice were estimated by the fluorescence intensities at 275 nm of a BPA excited by light of wavelength 257 run using a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Results: The relationship between fluorescence to increased BPA concentration showed a positive linear con-elation. Moreover, we established an adequate condition for BPA measurement in blood samples containing BPA, and the estimated B-10 concentrations of blood samples derived from BPA treated mice were similar between the values obtained by our method and those by ICP method. Conclusions This new assay will be useful to estimate BPA concentration in blood samples obtained from patients Undergoing BNCT especially in a combination use of BSH and BPA.