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Your search keyword '"BORTOLUSSI, S"' showing total 4 results
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4 results on '"BORTOLUSSI, S"'

1. Synthesis and Characterization of Gd-Functionalized B4C Nanoparticles for BNCT Applications

Author

Vitali, A, Demichelis, M, Di Martino, G, Postuma, I, Bortolussi, S, Falqui, A, Milanese, C, Ferrara, C, Sommi, P, Anselmi-Tamburini, U, Demichelis, MP, Vitali, A, Demichelis, M, Di Martino, G, Postuma, I, Bortolussi, S, Falqui, A, Milanese, C, Ferrara, C, Sommi, P, Anselmi-Tamburini, U, and Demichelis, MP

Abstract

Inorganic nanoparticles of boron-rich compounds represent an attractive alternative to boron-containing molecules, such as boronophenylalanine or boranes, for BNCT applications. This work describes the synthesis and biological activity of multifunctional boron carbide nanoparticles stabilized with polyacrylic acid (PAA) and a gadolinium (Gd)-rich solid phase. A fluorophore (DiI) was included in the PAA functionalization, allowing the confocal microscopy imaging of the nanoparticles. Analysis of the interaction and activity of these fluorescent Gd-containing B4C nanoparticles (FGdBNPs) with cultured cells was appraised using an innovative correlative microscopy approach combining intracellular neutron autoradiography, confocal, and SEM imaging. This new approach allows visualizing the cells, the FGdBNP, and the events deriving from the nuclear process in the same image. Quantification of 10B by neutron autoradiography in cells treated with FGdBNPs confirmed a significant accumulation of NPs with low levels of cellular toxicity. These results suggest that these NPs might represent a valuable tool for achieving a high boron concentration in tumoral cells.

Published
2023

2. Synthesis and Characterization of Gd-Functionalized B4C Nanoparticles for BNCT Applications

Author

Agostina Vitali, Maria Paola Demichelis, Greta Di Martino, Ian Postuma, Silva Bortolussi, Andrea Falqui, Chiara Milanese, Chiara Ferrara, Patrizia Sommi, Umberto Anselmi-Tamburini, Vitali, A, Demichelis, M, Di Martino, G, Postuma, I, Bortolussi, S, Falqui, A, Milanese, C, Ferrara, C, Sommi, P, and Anselmi-Tamburini, U

Subjects
Space and Planetary Science, Settore FIS/01 - Fisica Sperimentale, BNCT, boron carbide nanoparticles, Paleontology, gadolinium nanoparticle, gadolinium nanoparticles, boron carbide nanoparticle, General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Settore FIS/03 - Fisica della Materia
Abstract

Inorganic nanoparticles of boron-rich compounds represent an attractive alternative to boron-containing molecules, such as boronophenylalanine or boranes, for BNCT applications. This work describes the synthesis and biological activity of multifunctional boron carbide nanoparticles stabilized with polyacrylic acid (PAA) and a gadolinium (Gd)-rich solid phase. A fluorophore (DiI) was included in the PAA functionalization, allowing the confocal microscopy imaging of the nanoparticles. Analysis of the interaction and activity of these fluorescent Gd-containing B4C nanoparticles (FGdBNPs) with cultured cells was appraised using an innovative correlative microscopy approach combining intracellular neutron autoradiography, confocal, and SEM imaging. This new approach allows visualizing the cells, the FGdBNP, and the events deriving from the nuclear process in the same image. Quantification of 10B by neutron autoradiography in cells treated with FGdBNPs confirmed a significant accumulation of NPs with low levels of cellular toxicity. These results suggest that these NPs might represent a valuable tool for achieving a high boron concentration in tumoral cells.

Published
2023

4. A Novel Approach to Design and Evaluate BNCT Neutron Beams Combining Physical, Radiobiological, and Dosimetric Figures of Merit.

Author

Postuma I, González S, Herrera MS, Provenzano L, Ferrarini M, Magni C, Protti N, Fatemi S, Vercesi V, Battistoni G, Anselmi Tamburini U, Liu YH, Kankaanranta L, Koivunoro H, Altieri S, and Bortolussi S

Abstract

(1) Background:The quality of neutron beams for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is currently defined by its physical characteristics in air. Recommendations exist to define whether a designed beam is useful for clinical treatment. This work presents a new way to evaluate neutron beams based on their clinical performance and on their safety, employing radiobiological quantities. (2) Methods: The case study is a neutron beam for deep-seated tumors from a 5 MeV proton beam coupled to a beryllium target. Physical Figures of Merit were used to design five beams; however, they did not allow a clear ranking of their quality in terms of therapeutic potential. The latter was then evaluated based on in-phantom dose distributions and on the calculation of the Uncomplicated Tumor Control Probability (UTCP). The safety of the beams was also evaluated calculating the in-patient out-of-beam dosimetry. (3) Results: All the beams ensured a UTCP comparable to the one of a clinical beam in phantom; the safety criterion allowed to choose the best candidate. When this was tested in the treatment planning of a real patient treated in Finland, the UTCP was still comparable to the one of the clinical beam. (4) Conclusions: Even when standard physical recommendations are not met, radiobiological and dosimetric criteria demonstrate to be a valid tool to select an effective and safe beam for patient treatment.

Published
2021
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