Boronated Hydrogel Crosslinking for Targeted Neutron Capture Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for hydrogels that are boronated for use in boron neutron capture therapy, as existing hydrogels do not effectively incorporate boron compounds for targeted cancer treatment.
Innovation Solution
A crosslinked reaction product is formed by combining a boronated multifunctional compound with a reactive polymer, utilizing nucleophilic and electrophilic groups to create covalent linkages, which can be used to form a boronated hydrogel suitable for neutron capture therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing hydrogels are used without boron compounds, then the hydrogel structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the capability for targeted cancer treatment via neutron capture therapy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite hydrogel system by integrating boronated multifunctional compounds with reactive polymer networks. This composite approach enables the hydrogel to simultaneously provide structural support and boron-10 loading capacity for neutron capture therapy, resolving the contradiction between treatment effectiveness and composition simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The boronated multifunctional compound serves multiple functions: it acts as a crosslinking agent for hydrogel formation, provides boron-10 atoms for neutron capture therapy, and enables targeted delivery to tumor tissues. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by consolidating multiple requirements into a single integrated component.
2Reliability
If boronated compounds are incorporated into hydrogels, then targeted delivery of boron-10 atoms to tumors is enabled, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The boronated multifunctional compound is pre-synthesized with both crosslinking functionality and boron-10 atoms attached before hydrogel formation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex post-synthesis boronation steps, maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring reliable targeted therapy capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the crosslinking function and boron loading function into a single compound and single synthesis step. The boronated multifunctional compound simultaneously provides crosslinking sites and boron-10 atoms, simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving reliable targeted delivery.
3Reliability
If boron-10 atoms are delivered to tumors, then effective neutron capture therapy is achieved, but the alpha particle radiation may affect surrounding healthy tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel provides localized delivery of boron-10 atoms directly to the tumor site, creating a high concentration of boron precisely where needed. This local concentration ensures that neutron capture therapy is effective against tumors while minimizing boron presence in surrounding healthy tissues, thereby reducing collateral damage from alpha particle radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The boronated hydrogel acts as an intermediary carrier that delivers boron-10 atoms selectively to tumor tissues. This intermediary system enables controlled release and targeted accumulation of boron at the tumor site, facilitating effective therapy while protecting healthy tissues from excessive radiation exposure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The boronated hydrogel provides targeted delivery of boron-10 atoms to tumors, enabling effective neutron capture therapy with minimal impact on healthy tissues.
Implementation Method 1
a boronated multifunctional compound comprising a plurality of nucleophilic groups and a reactive polymer that comprises a plurality of electrophilic groups that react with the plurality of nucleophilic groups to form covalent linkages
Implementation Method 2
boron neutron capture therapy is based on nuclear capture and fission that follows irradiation of nonradioactive boron-10 with low thermal neutrons which leads to the production of an alpha particle and a recoiling lithium-7 particle
Implementation Method 3
The breakdown occurs primarily through the hydrolysis of the ester linkages on the glutarate groups
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides crosslinked reaction products of (a) a boronated multifunctional compound comprising a plurality of nucleophilic groups and (b) a reactive polymer comprising a plurality of electrophilic groups that react with the plurality of nucleophilic groups to form covalent linkages. In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to a system for forming such crosslinked reaction products. In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to methods of treatment comprising (a) applying or injecting such crosslinked reaction products or precursors thereof onto or into target tissue of a subject and (b) delivering neutron beam radiation to the target tissue, the crosslinked reaction product, or both.