Multi-nuclear MRS and F-19 MRI of F-19-labelled and B-10-enriched p-boronophenylalanine-fructose complex to optimize boron neutron capture therapy: phantom studies at high magnetic fields

Reaction yield optimization for the synthesis and the complexation of a boron neutron capture therapy agent F-19-labelled, B-10-enriched p-boronophenylalanine-fructose (F-19-BPA-fr) complex was obtained. H-1, F-19, C-13 and B-10 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the F-19-BPA-fr complex in aqueous and rat blood solution phantoms and its spatial distribution mapping using F-19 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results are reported. 7 T and 9.4 T magnetic fields were used to perform MRI and MRS respectively. Our in vitro results suggest that in vivo studies on F-19-BPA through F-19 NMR will be feasible.