Abstract: During the last 60 years, a great number of boron-containing compounds have been synthesized and designated as potential boron carriers for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) of several types of cancer. Several of these putative boron carriers are derivatives of α-amino acids (AAs). Despite sixty years of research, there are only two compounds used in the clinic including boronophenylalanine (BPA). Cancer cells have long been known to consume enormous amounts of nutrients such as AAs. Recent studies have revealed many mechanisms, through which they fulfill their demand for nutrients. The large amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is an extensively studied transporter. Recent studies have expanded our knowledge and understanding of the structure of LAT1 and its mode of action. It has been demonstrated that BPA and some other AA-based boron carriers are transported by LAT1 into cancer cells. In summary, these advances have opened new prospects for designing novel LAT1-targeted AA-based boron carriers for malignant brain tumors.

Key words: boron neutron capture therapy, cancer, amino acid, LAT1, glioma