Comparison of the pharmacokinetics between L-BPA and L-FBPA using the same administration dose and protocol: a validation study for the theranostic approach using 18F-L-FBPA positron emission tomography in boron neutron capture therapy

摘要

BackgroundBoron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a cellular-level particle radiation therapy that combines the selective delivery of boron compounds to tumour tissue with neutron irradiation. L-p-Boronophenylalanine (L-BPA) is a boron compound now widely used in clinical situations. Determination of the boron distribution is required for successful BNCT prior to neutron irradiation. Thus, positron emission tomography with [¹⁸F]-L-FBPA, an ¹⁸F-labelled radiopharmaceutical analogue of L-BPA, was developed. However, several differences between L-BPA and [¹⁸F]-L-FBPA have been highlighted, including the different injection doses and administration protocols. The purpose of this study was to clarify the equivalence between L-BPA and [¹⁹F]-L-FBPA as alternatives to [¹⁸F]-L-FBPA.