Neutron Microradiography for Cell-Seeking Boron Compounds

A facility for the irradiation of biological samples for the purpose of thermal neutron microradiography at the R2-0 reactor in Studsvik, Sweden, is presented. Analysis of boron was carried out in cultivated cells and thin histological sections using cellulose nitrate film detectors. The aim was to determine concentrations of boron in the interval 0.01–10 ppm with or without spatial representation at microscopic resolution. Examples of the results are presented from current studies of tumour-seeking boron compounds developed for their potential usefulness in neutron capture therapy in malignant disease. Special emphasis is on problems encountered at low boron concentration and the experimental requirements for cellular localization of boron. Current developments are presented and discussed.