Carborane Derivative Development for Boron Neutron Capture--Flurochem, Inc., 680 S. Ayon Avenue, Azusa, CA 91702-5122; (626) 334-6714
Dr. Kurt Baum, Principal Investigator
Dr. Kurt Baum, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82580
Amount: $75,000

Boron neutron capture therapy is an approach to cancer therapy based on the capture of low-energy neutrons by boron-10, resulting in the emission of lithium nuclei and alpha particles which are toxic to surrounding tissue. The major obstacle to clinically viable BNCT is that effective therapy requires the selective localization of 5-30 ppm boron-10 in a tumor. Evidence has shown that boron-rich oligomeric phosphate diesters are selectively concentrated in tumor tissue, but available synthetic methods cannot produce sufficient material for needed testing. This project will develop synthetic methods suitable for larger scale production. Methods for sequential linking of boron-rich substrates with phosphate groups that do not rely on polymeric anchors will be studied. The methods developed would be useful for producing the gram quantities that are needed immediately and will ultimately be useful for larger scale manufacturing of the product.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to their prospects for providing a general cancer therapy, the oligomers also should have potential as antisense agents against viral diseases.