Overview

• Researchers used single-cell ICP-MS to monitor boron uptake and retention in individual live head and neck cancer cells in real time.
• Results show pronounced heterogeneity between tumor cells and identify transport pathways, offering criteria to evaluate and design BNCT drug candidates.
• The kinetic data provide evidence that could inform the optimal timing of neutron irradiation in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.
• A key technical advance kept cells viable for measurement by optimizing the culture medium and the method of introducing cells into the instrument.
• The peer-reviewed study, funded by the Rosetrees Trust, was published in the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry (DOI: 10.1039/D5JA00228A).