Old: The Effect of Boronophenylalanine in Normal, Tumour Tissue, and the Blood of Mice (A Preclinical BNCT Study). New: A Preclinical BNCT Study: Testing, Optimizing and Validation of In-House Synthesized Boronophenylalanine Compound in Normal and Tumour Tissues for Glioblastoma Multiforme
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Research Presentation
Challenges Theme
Open Challenge
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Lisa Porter, Dorota Lubanska, Bre-Anne Fifield
Proposal
Cancer is a widespread disease that impacts the lives of many globally, with an estimated 229, 200 Canadians being diagnosed in 2021 (1, 2). In 2022, 7500 Canadians will be diagnosed with a head or neck cancer with death occurring in 25% of cases (3). The most common, but unsuccessful, treatment for head and neck cancers, such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is radiotherapy (4, 5). GBM is a fast-growing, aggressive brain tumour that is very difficult to treat, let alone cure (7). Recently, boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a non-invasive targeted radiation therapy, has gained popularity as a potential treatment for these cancer patients (6). BNCT has been previously studied in regard to GBM, recurrent head and neck cancers, and other cancer types, and has been proposed as a treatment option with current studies in Japan (8). Mouse models have been used with BNCT research (5), and our research team proposes the use of mouse models to test the safety and concentration of boronophenylalanine (BPA) in both tumour and normal tissue, as well as the blood. Mouse models are appropriate, as the growth and spread of cancer in humans is mimicked in mice (9). In the future, we aim to accelerate the use of BNCT as a cancer therapy for humans, as well as in areas such as veterinary medicine.
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Old: The Effect of Boronophenylalanine in Normal, Tumour Tissue, and the Blood of Mice (A Preclinical BNCT Study). New: A Preclinical BNCT Study: Testing, Optimizing and Validation of In-House Synthesized Boronophenylalanine Compound in Normal and Tumour Tissues for Glioblastoma Multiforme
Cancer is a widespread disease that impacts the lives of many globally, with an estimated 229, 200 Canadians being diagnosed in 2021 (1, 2). In 2022, 7500 Canadians will be diagnosed with a head or neck cancer with death occurring in 25% of cases (3). The most common, but unsuccessful, treatment for head and neck cancers, such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is radiotherapy (4, 5). GBM is a fast-growing, aggressive brain tumour that is very difficult to treat, let alone cure (7). Recently, boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a non-invasive targeted radiation therapy, has gained popularity as a potential treatment for these cancer patients (6). BNCT has been previously studied in regard to GBM, recurrent head and neck cancers, and other cancer types, and has been proposed as a treatment option with current studies in Japan (8). Mouse models have been used with BNCT research (5), and our research team proposes the use of mouse models to test the safety and concentration of boronophenylalanine (BPA) in both tumour and normal tissue, as well as the blood. Mouse models are appropriate, as the growth and spread of cancer in humans is mimicked in mice (9). In the future, we aim to accelerate the use of BNCT as a cancer therapy for humans, as well as in areas such as veterinary medicine.