In vivo detection of a boron-neutron-capture agent in melanoma by proton observed 1H-10B double resonance.

The Cesium salt of BSSB (Cs4B24H22S2), a common boron-neutron-capture-therapy (BNCT) agent, was injected into M2R mouse melanoma xenografts, and detected in vivo by 1H-observed, 10B-edited NMR spectroscopy. The technique of spin-echo difference spectroscopy, in which a proton spin-echo is detected following the alternating presence and absence of a 10B 180 degrees pulse was used. This method provides much higher sensitivity than direct 10B NMR detection, and should thus be suitable for in vivo detection in patients about to undergo BNCT treatment, where the infused agents are 95% isotopically enriched in 10B.