Advancements in Real-Time Boron Detection in Cancer Cells Improve Tumor Treatment Strategies

Researchers from the University of Birmingham have developed a groundbreaking technique to measure boron levels in individual cancer cells in real-time. This innovative approach utilizes single-cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (scICP-MS), enabling scientists to observe how and when boron-based drugs enter and exit tumor cells. This advancement offers critical insights into the efficacy of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), a promising treatment for head and neck cancers, where patients ingest boron-containing drugs that preferentially accumulate in tumor cells before being exposed to neutron irradiation. Until now, understanding how much boron penetrates individual cancer cells has been limited to average measurements across cell populations, obscuring cellular heterogeneity vital for personalized treatment. The new technique allows scientists to capture the dynamic behavior of boron within live cells, providing data on boron uptake duration and transport pathways, which are crucial for optimizing BNCT protocols. Achieving this required careful environmental control to keep cells alive during measurements, an intricate process that ensures reliable results. Dr. James Coverdale emphasized the importance of this method, noting that it reveals variability at the single-cell level, which can influence treatment outcomes. Co-author Jack Finch added that this technology will be essential for testing and refining boron-based therapeutics, paving the way for more precise and effective cancer treatments. Given that head and neck cancers account for around 3% of all new cancer cases in the UK, these advancements could significantly impact future therapeutic strategies and drug development for personalized oncology. For more details, see the original study in the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry (2025).