L-p-Boronophenylalanine

Description

L-p-Boronophenylalanine is a boron-containing substrate for L-type amino acid transporters LAT1 and LAT2 . L-p-Boronophenylalanine enters tumor cells by competing with natural amino acids for LAT, selectively accumulating boron in cancer cells. L-p-Boronophenylalanine can be used in boron neutron capture therapy BNCT . When boron-10 captures thermal neutrons, a nuclear reaction occurs, producing high-energy alpha particles and lithium nuclei, which kill cancer cells at close range with little damage to surrounding tissues. L-p-Boronophenylalanine can be used in cancer research, especially glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytoma.