In vivo 19F MR imaging and spectroscopy for the BNCT optimization

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo the boron biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of 4-borono-2-fluorophenylalanine ( 19 F-BPA) using 19 F MR Imaging ( 19 F MRI) and Spectroscopy ( 19 F MRS). The correlation between the results obtained by both techniques, 19 F MRI on rat brain and 19 F MRS on blood samples, showed the maximum 19 F-BPA uptake in C6 glioma model at 2.5 h after infusion determining the optimal irradiation time. Moreover, the effect of L-DOPA as potential enhancer of 19 F-BPA tumour intake was assessed using 19 F MRI.