Lithium halide filled carbon nanocapsules: Paving the way towards lithium neutron capture therapy (LiNCT). (May 2023) - Gonçalves, Gil
Abstract: Neutron capture therapy (NCT) is a form of radiotherapy that exploits the potential of some specific isotopes to capture thermal neutrons and subsequently yield high linear energy transfer (LET) particles, suitable for cancer treatment. Recently, relevant technological improvements have been made in terms of accelerators as suitable neutron sources for NCT at hospitals. However, low selective delivery of current drugs to cancer cells remains as the main challenge for successful clinical application of NCT. This work presents an innovative and previously unexplored approach for the design of nanotherapeutic NCT agents. Herein, a new concept based on carbon nanomaterials that seal 6 Li active NCT nuclides is investigated. The 6 Li active species are located in the inner cavity of the nanocarrier (carbon nanohorns or carbon nanotubes) and therefore, completely protected from the biological environment, avoiding toxicity and degradation. After encapsulation of the active cargo, the external surface of the nanocarrier is modified for improved biocompatibility. The developed 6 Li-filled carbon nanohorns offered the possibility to explore 6 Li compounds as active NCT agents by delivering therapeutic doses to cancer cells. We envisage that nanoencapsulation of 6 Li can trigger the successful development and implementation of Lithium Neutron Cancer Therapy (LiNCT). Graphical abstract: Image 1