The Role of Chemistry in the Development of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy of Cancer

A therapeutic method that selectively destroys malignant cells in the presence of normal cells is a highly valued goal of oncologists and the possible salvation of cancer patients afflicted with some incurable forms of the disease. Selective cell destruction is, in principle, possible with a binary therapeutic strategy based upon the neutron capture reaction observed with the ¹⁰B nucleus and a neutron of low kinetic energy (thermal neutron). This nuclear fission reaction produces both ⁴He and ⁷Li⁺ nuclei along with about 2.4 MeV of kinetic energy and weak γ-radiation. Since the energetic and cytotoxic product ions travel only about one cell diameter in tissue one may specify the cell type to be destroyed by placing innocent ¹⁰B nuclei on or within only the doomed cells. This article describes the current status of chemical research aimed at the eventual adoption of this therapeutic method (boron neutron capture therapy or BNCT). The multidisciplinary nature of this research effort involves chemistry, biology, nuclear physics, medicine, and related specialties. Methods devised for bringing ¹⁰B nuclei to tumor cells in therapeutic amounts are correlated with the structure of a generalized cell and the various cellular compartments available for boron localization. The synthesis methods employed for the creation of boron-containing biomolecules and drugs are presented along with representative data concerning their efficacy in tumor localization. The outlook for BNCT is especially bright at this time because of rapid developments in the fields of bioorganometallic chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and nuclear science, to name but a few. Very effective boron delivery vehicles have been demonstrated, and through the interaction of chemistry and biology these species are undergoing further improvement and evaluation of their suitability for BNCT.     

Boron and gadolinium neutron capture therapy

The principles of neutron capture therapy of tumor diseases, the types of drugs, and the results of their clinical applications are discussed.Based on the report presented at the International Conference Modern Trends in Organoelement and Polymer Chemistry dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow, May 30–June 4, 2004).Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1795–1812, September, 2004.     

The chemistry of the azanonaborane cluster RNH2---B8H11NHR

The preparation and properties of the R¹R²NH---B₈H₁₁NHR cluster are described. The cluster is stable to aqueous solutions and can be made water-soluble by the introduction of a few hydrophilic groups. This makes the cluster a good candidate as the boron moiety in compounds for boron neutron capture therapy. The chemistry of the cluster preparation, the stability of the cluster, and conditions for reactions of the organic moieties are reviewed. Pyridine derivatives of the cluster show electronic interaction between the cluster and the pyridine.     

硼中子捕获疗法中使用的1,2-C2B10H12异腈衍生物的结构和电子特性

利用密度泛函方法在B3LYP/6-31G(d)水平上对1,2-C2B10H12的两种异腈类衍生物的结构特性进行了研究. 结果表明, 1,2-C2B10H11NC的活性较强; 1,2-C2B10H11NC和1,2-C2B10H11CH2NC可以通过结构中的C4原子与过渡金属原子成键而形成碳硼烷异腈金属配合物. 1,2-C2B10H11NC和1,2-C2B10H11CH2NC的分子极性均比1,2-C2B10H12的弱, 这不利于它们在硼中子捕获疗法中的应用.     

Carboranylcorroles

The first syntheses of closo-carboranylcorroles (3, 4, and 11) have been achieved in a one-pot procedure from the condensation of pyrrole and carboranylbenzaldehydes, without the concomitant formation of the corresponding tetraarylporphyrins. The water-soluble nido-carboranylcorrole 9 was prepared from 7 in quantitative yield using tetrabutylammonium fluoride. The first X-ray molecular structure of a Cu(III) carboranylcorrole complex 7 is also presented. Carboranylcorroles absorb in the red region of the optical spectrum and should have potential application in both BNCT and PDT.     

[C2B10]---[B12] double cage boron compounds—a new approach to the synthesis of water-soluble boron-rich compounds for BNCT

A new approach in the synthesis of water-soluble boron-rich compounds was proposed. The closo-dodecaborate cage is used as a hydrophilic substitutent providing for the water-solubility of the molecule whereas the carborane cage can be used for attachment to biomolecules using earlier developed methods. The double-cage molecules [o-, m-, and p-CB₁₀H₁₀C(CH₂)₄OB₁₂H₁₁]²⁻ were prepared by the reaction of the tetramethylene oxonium derivative of the closo-dodecaborate anion, [B₁₂H₁₁O(CH₂)₄]⁻, with the corresponding lithiated carboranes. The compounds obtained have doubled the boron contents and could serve for the synthesis of agents for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT).     

General method for the synthesis of 2′-O-carboranyl-nucleosides

The carboranyl cage is a new modifying entity for nucleosides, DNA oligonucleotides, and other biomolecules. Herein, the first reliable method for the synthesis of nucleosides modified with a carborane cluster at the 2′-position is described.     

Dodecaborate cluster lipids with variable headgroups for boron neutron capture therapy: Synthesis, physical-chemical properties and toxicity

We have prepared two new boron-containing lipids with potential use in boron neutron capture therapy of tumors. These lipids consist of a diethanolamine frame with two myristoyl chains bonded as esters, and a butylene or ethyleneoxyethylene unit linking the doubly negatively charged dodecaborate cluster to the amino function of the frame, obtained by nucleophilic attack of the amino on the tetrahydrofurane and dioxane derivatives, respectively, of closo-dodecaborate. The latter cluster lipid can form liposomes at 25 °C whereas the former lipid at this temperature assembles into bilayer disks. Both lipids form stable liposomes when mixed with suitable helper lipids. The thermotropic behavior was found to be different for the two lipids, with the butylene lipid showing sharp melting transitions at surprisingly high temperatures. Toxicity in vitro and in vivo varies greatly, with the butylene derivative being more toxic than the ethyleneoxyethylene derivative.     

B12H11-containing guanidinium derivatives by reaction of carbodiimides with H3N-B12H11(1−). A new method for connecting boron clusters to organic compounds

The reaction of B₁₂H₁₁NH₃(1−) with carbodiimides can form guanidinium salts containing the boron cluster. Depending on the side chains of the carbodiimide, these derivatives of the B₁₂H₁₂(2−) cluster can be uncharged or can carry an overall positive or negative charge. This reaction allows the preparation of derivatives with aliphatic side chains, in contrast to the acylation reaction of and the formation of Schiff bases, both of which are successful only with aromatic acid chlorides or aromatic, respectively, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The acylation of with benzoyl chloride gives an N-protonated form of an imidoacid, carrying a single overall charge.     

New possibilities of 1,2,4-triazines functionalization: first examples of synthesis and structure of boron-containing 1,2,4-triazines

By oxidation of 3-thioderivatives of 1,2,4-triazine 1a,b 3-alkylsulfonic derivatives 2a,b were obtained. Interaction of the sulfonic derivative 2a with indole leads to 3-oxo-5-indolyl-5-phenyl-as-triazine 4. The sulfone 2a reacts with 1-ethyl-2,6-dimethylquinolinium iodide to give 3-(1-ethyl-6-methyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline-2-methylene)-5-phenyl-1,2,4-triazine 5. The 3-morpholino- 3 and 3-thioderivatives 6, 7a,b of as-triazine were obtained by interaction of the sulfone 2 with morpholine and organic boron-containing thiols. The crystal structure of boron-containing derivative of as-triazine 7b was investigated by X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis of functional derivatives of the [3,3′-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2] anion

A series of various functional derivatives of the cobalt bis(1,2-dicarbollide) anion [8-XCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂O-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)(1′,2′-C₂B₉H₁₁)]⁻ (X=OH, NH₂, and CH(NH₂)COOH) were prepared by the ring-opening reactions of [8-O(CH₂CH₂)₂O-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)(1′,2′-C₂B₉H₁₁)] with different nucleophiles followed by functional group interconversion reactions. Acidic hydrolysis of [8-NCCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂O-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)(1′,2′-C₂B₉H₁₁)]⁻ resulted in the shorter-chain alcohol [8-HOCH₂CH₂O-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)(1′,2′-C₂B₉H₁₁)]⁻. Structures of (Bu₄N)[8-AcNHC(COOEt)₂CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂O-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)(1′,2′-C₂B₉H₁₁)] and [8-(1-C₅H₅N)CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂O-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)(1′,2′-C₂B₉H₁₁)] were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method. Perspectives of application of functionalized cobalt bis(1,2-dicarbolide) derivatives in nuclear medicine are discussed.     

Synthesis of ether- and carbon-linked polycarboranyl porphyrin dimers for cancer therapies

Porphyrin dimers bearing multiple carborane cages for potential use as sensitizers in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) were synthesized from protoporphyrin dimethyl ester and characterized. Diastereomeric ether-linked dimers bearing four closo carborane cages (40 boron atoms) were found to be unstable to the acidic conditions necessary for conversion into water-soluble salts. In contrast, the carbon---carbon-linked dimers bearing six icosahedral carboranes (60 boron atoms) were stable to acid and could be isolated as water-soluble sodium salts. In vitro and in vivo studies of these novel molecules are currently under investigation.     

New types of potential BNCT agents, o-carboranyl aminoalcohols

o-Carboranyl aminoalcohols were synthesized using a standard Mannich reaction, and were tested for their anticancer properties using an in vitro test for CT26 cancer cells. The polar periphery of the aminoalcohols benefited from the high boron uptake in CT26 cancer cells with low toxicity, indicating their potential as BNCT agents.     

Synthesis of α-carboranyl-α-acyloxy-amides as potential BNCT agents

Novel α-carboranyl-α-acyloxy-amides were prepared as potential BNCT agents utilizing three-component Passerini reaction. Preliminary cytotoxicity of the representative compounds on two brain tumor cell lines (U-87 and A-172) showed no effect on cell viability; an essential requirement for utility as potential BNCT agents.     

Designed Boron-Rich Polymeric Nanoparticles Based on Nano-ion Pairing for Boron Delivery

Boron-rich particles with the boron fraction ca.10–20 wt % of controllable shape and size that can be easily prepared via simple ion co-assembly are promising material for tumor treatment by boron neutron capture therapy. Electroneutral, dynamic core-shell polymeric nanoparticles were prepared by co-assembly of cationic PEO-block-PGEA diblock copolymer with sodium closo-dodecaborate, Na₂[B₁₂H₁₂]. This is the first example of polymer nanoparticles based on [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻nano-ion pairing. The high [B₁₂H₁₂]²⁻ loading is proven by calorimetry at physiological salt concentration. As a result of rational design, rod-, worm- and sphere-like particles were produced and further tested using human glioblastoma and cervical carcinoma cell lines. Rod-like particles yielded the highest internalization capability in all tested cell lines.     

4-二羟基硼苯丙氨酸(BPA)及其多羟基衍生物BPA(OH)n(n=1,2,4)的电子结构的理论研究

使用密度泛函方法对硼中子捕获疗法药物4-二羟基硼苯丙氨酸(BPA)及其多羟基衍生物BPA(OH)和BPA(OH)2, BPA(OH)4的电子结构进行了理论计算, 探讨了BPA药物作用的可能机制及其羟基衍生物具有良好水溶性的主要因素. 研究结果表明, BPA的HOMO主要分布在苯环上, 而BPA(OH), BPA(OH)2和BPA(OH)4的HOMO主要位于多羟基基团与BPA母体的结合部位的C, N和O原子附近, 羟基衍生物的这种HOMO轨道特性、 结构中极性基团数量的增多及分子极性的增大等可能是它们具有良好水溶性的主要因素. 计算结果与实验结果一致.     

Borylated 2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophthalimide and Their 2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzamide Analogues: Synthesis,Their Glycosidase Inhibition and Anticancer Properties in View to Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

Tetrachlorinated phthalimide analogues bearing a boron-pinacolate ester group were synthesised via two synthetic routes and evaluated in their glycosidase modulating and anticancer properties, with a view to use them in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a promising radiation type for cancer, as this therapy does little damage to biological tissue. An unexpected decarbonylation/decarboxylation to five 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorobenzamides was observed and confirmed by X-ray crystallography studies, thus, giving access to a family of borylated 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorobenzamides. Biological evaluation showed the benzamide drugs to possess good to weak potencies (74.7–870 μM) in the inhibition of glycosidases, and to have good to moderate selectivity in the inhibition of a panel of 18 glycosidases. Furthermore, in the inhibition of selected glycosidases, there is a core subset of three animal glycosidases, which is always inhibited (rat intestinal maltase α-glucosidase, bovine liver β-glucosidase and β-galactosidase). This could indicate the involvement of the boron atom in the binding. These glycosidases are targeted for the management of diabetes, viral infections (via a broad-spectrum approach) and lysosomal storage disorders. Assays against cancer cell lines revealed potency in growth inhibition for three molecules, and selectivity for one of these molecules, with the growth of the normal cell line MCF10A not being affected by this compound. One of these molecules showed both potency and selectivity; thus, it is a candidate for further study in this area. This paper provides numerous novel aspects, including expedited access to borylated 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophthalimides and to 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorobenzamides. The latter constitutes a novel family of glycosidase modulating drugs. Furthermore, a greener synthetic access to such structures is described.     

Boron-Containing Lipids and Liposomes: New Conjugates of Cholesterol with Polyhedral Boron Hydrides

A series of boron-containing lipids were prepared by reactions of cyclic oxonium derivatives of polyhedron boranes and metallacarboranes (closo-dodecaborate anion, cobalt and iron bis(dicarbollides)) with amine and carboxylic acids which are derived from cholesterol. Stable liposomal formulations, on the basis of synthesized boron-containing lipids, hydrogenated soybean l -α-phosphatidylcholine and (HSPC) 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (DSPE-PEG) as excipients, were prepared and then characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) that revealed the formation of particles to be smaller than 200 nm in diameter. The resulting liposomal formulations showed moderate to excellent loading and entrapment efficiency, thus justifying the design of the compounds to fit in the lipid bilayer and ensuring ease of in vivo use for future application. The liposomal formulations based on cobalt and iron bis(dicarbollide)-based lipids were found to be nontoxic against both human breast normal epithelial cells MCF-10A and human breast cancer cells MCF-7.     

Fast isotopic separation of 10B and 11B boric acid by capillary zone electrophoresis

Fast isotopic separation of ¹⁰B and ¹¹B boric acid by CZE was demonstrated. The BGE contained 25 mM phenylalanine and 5 mM putrescine (рН 8.95). The running conditions were +25 kV at 20°C with indirect photometric detection at 210 nm. Baseline separation was achieved in less than 9 min. RSD of migration times and corrected peak areas were less than 0.5 and 3%, respectively (n = 5). Linearity was demonstrated in the range 0.2–2 mM for ¹¹B and 0.2–0.5 mM for ¹⁰B.