Gadolinium Neutron Capture Therapy for Cats and Dogs with Spontaneous Tumors Using Gd-DTPA.

Simple Summary: Neutron capture therapy, or NCT, is a unique irradiation-based method that is used to treat invasive advanced tumors as it minimizes the impact on healthy cells and tissues. Modern neutron sources for NCT include accelerators that can be installed in treatment facilities. One of the main conditions for the successful application of NCT is sufficient accumulation of the drug in tumor cells which allows it to capture neutrons, be activated, and release energy that destroys cancer cells. Among the elements capable of capturing neutrons, boron, gadolinium, and lithium are considered to be the most suitable for NCT. In our study, we showed the results of neutron capture therapy with gadolinium in a group of dogs and cats with spontaneous tumors to clarify the technical aspects of the method while adjusting the treatment conditions as close as possible to those of clinical trials. We conducted a clinical veterinary study on neutron capture therapy (NCT) at a neutron-producing accelerator with seven incurable pets with spontaneous tumors and gadolinium as a neutron capture agent (gadolinium neutron capture therapy, or GdNCT). Gadolinium-containing dimeglumine gadopentetate, or Gd-DTPA (Magnevist^®, 0.6 mL/kg b.w.), was used. We observed mild and reversible toxicity related to the treatment. However, no significant tumor regression in response to the treatment was observed. In most cases, there was continued tumor growth. Overall clinical improvement after treatment was only temporary. The use of Gd-DTPA for NCT had no significant effects on the life expectancy and quality of life of animals with spontaneous tumors. Further experiments using more advanced gadolinium compounds are needed to improve the effect of GdNCT so that it can become an alternative to boron neutron capture therapy. Such studies are also necessary for further NCT implementation in clinical practice as well as in veterinary medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]