EVALUATION OF BORON NEUTRON-CAPTURE EFFECTS IN CELL-CULTURE USING SULFORHODAMINE-B ASSAY AND A COLONY ASSAY

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find an in nitro method for determining the cytotoxicity of boronated drugs as well as their poten tial suitability for neutron capture therapy. Materials and methods: T he survival of human melanoma cells has been determined by a colony as say and the sulforhodamine-B assay after X-irradiation and irradiation with fast d(14) + Be-neutrons using the boronated compound borocaptat e sodium (BSH). The cytotoxic effects of BSH have been studied using b oth methods. Results: Under well-defined experimental conditions, and after a sufficient amount of time for the expression of radiation dama ge, the results of the sulforhodamine-B assay are qualitatively compar able with the results of the colony assay. Conclusion: The sulforhodam ine-B assay is suitable for the screening of compounds for potential u se in neutron capture therapy because it is a fast and efficient metho d that is reproducible and technically advantageous.