Interdisciplinary Studies Towards Boron Neutron Capture Synovectomy at McMaster University

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the joints that affects 1% of the world’s population. One proposed treatment, Boron Neutron Capture Synovectomy (BNCS), seeks to exploit the 10B(n,α)7Li nuclear reaction by injecting boronated chemical compounds into the joint and subsequently irradiating with neutrons. Numerous boron compounds have been generated at McMaster University and require evaluation in order to determine potential candidates for BNCS applications. A non-chemical process exploiting technology available at McMaster University is proposed for evaluating boron compounds for BNCS. Studies to determine the feasibility of the process have been undertaken. A standard protocol for lymphocyte isolation has been successfully modified to incorporate incubation periods with candidate boron compounds. Results have demonstrated no significant deleterious impact to the cell population versus the standard protocol. The McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR) Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) site was modified to accommodate liquid biological samples to determine boron content. The minimum detectable limit (MDL) of boron for the liquid sample set up was determined to be on the order of 1-3 ppm. Preliminary boron compound testing on isolated lymphocytes was undertaken and flowcytometry studies were successfully utilized to indicate minimal toxicity. However, uptake was shown to be less than the MDL for the liquid samples. Suggested methods of improving the testing process, including lowering the MDL of boron by preparing lyophilized samples and increasing the sample counting time, were investigated. The automation of the PGNAA Rabbit System at MNR to support the improved boron content measurements was implemented. Several improvements in the PGNAA testing process were unsuccessful in improving the MDL of boron. A number of improvements are proposed for future investigation and consideration for testing and evaluating boron compounds at McMaster University.