Russian Scientists Develop New Compound for Treating Aggressive Tumours
A team of Russian researchers has synthesised a novel compound for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a treatment for advanced cancer that uses the boron-10 isotope. The compound exhibits low toxicity, excellent water solubility, and eliminates the need for administering large volumes. Most importantly, the active substance reaches the tumour with minimal impact on healthy tissues. The study was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences shortly before World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4.
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is an advanced cancer treatment that leverages the properties of the boron-10 isotope. The method involves first saturating tumour cells with boron-10, followed by irradiation with thermal neutrons. This triggers a nuclear reaction that selectively destroys cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Thus, the treatment success largely depends on the compound's ability to effectively deliver boron-10 to the tumour and maintain the necessary boron concentration.
A team of scientists from the HSE Faculty of Chemistry, the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Centre of Oncology has developed three compounds that combine the closo-dodecaborate anion with amino acids containing a side-chain amino group. The molecules are structurally similar to natural amino acids, allowing them to 'trick' the body's transport systems into capturing and delivering them to cells, including cancer cells. This makes the substance effective at targeting tumours, where it accumulates.
One of the compounds demonstrated low toxicity, with the half-lethal dose (LD50) for experimental animals ranging from 150 to 300 mg per kilogram of body weight. In experiments, the compound not only demonstrated the ability to accumulate boron in tumour tissues but also confirmed its effectiveness in animals. When administered to laboratory mice, the boron concentration in melanoma tumour cells was six times higher than in healthy tissues after 45 minutes.
The compound can exist in two forms depending on the pH level. The first form is a sodium salt, which is highly soluble in water under conditions close to physiological pH, making it convenient for therapeutic use. The second form occurs upon acidification, when the compound transforms into an insoluble internal salt useful for obtaining a medically pure product during the stages of synthesis, isolation, and purification.
Margarita Ryabchikova
'The aim of the study was to reduce toxicity and simplify the compound purification process, building on data from previous research. As a result, three new compounds were synthesised. One of them exhibited optimal characteristics: it does not cause significant side effects when administered intravenously and dissolves well in water, setting it apart from existing therapeutic drugs,' explains study author Margarita Ryabchikova, a third-year student at the HSE Faculty of Chemistry. 'We aimed not only for high efficacy but also for production convenience. The developed method can be easily scaled to produce the required quantities of the product while remaining economically viable.'
The study demonstrated that the new compound accumulates more effectively in the tissues of certain types of tumours compared to the currently used drug. This is an important step toward developing a safer and more accessible therapy. The research is still in its early stages, but this development has the potential to significantly improve cancer treatment outcomes and broaden the applications of boron neutron capture therapy in the fight against various types of tumours.
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Cerium Glows Yellow: Chemists Discover How to Control Luminescence of Rare Earth Elements
Researchers at HSE University and the Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis of the Russian Academy of Sciences have discovered a way to control both the colour and brightness of the glow emitted by rare earth elements. Their luminescence is generally predictable—for example, cerium typically emits light in the ultraviolet range. However, the scientists have demonstrated that this can be altered. They created a chemical environment in which a cerium ion began to emit a yellow glow. The findings could contribute to the development of new light sources, displays, and lasers. The study has been published in Optical Materials.
Genetic Prediction of Cancer Recurrence: Scientists Verify Reliability of Computer Models
In biomedical research, machine learning algorithms are often used to analyse data—for instance, to predict cancer recurrence. However, it is not always clear whether these algorithms are detecting meaningful patterns or merely fitting random noise in the data. Scientists from HSE University, IBCh RAS, and Moscow State University have developed a test that makes it possible to determine this distinction. It could become an important tool for verifying the reliability of algorithms in medicine and biology. The study has been published on arXiv.
Habits Stem from Childhood: School Years Found to Shape Leisure Preferences in Adulthood
Moving to a big city does not necessarily lead to dramatic changes in daily habits. A study conducted at HSE University found that leisure preferences in adulthood are largely shaped during childhood and are influenced by where individuals spent their school years. This conclusion was drawn by Sergey Korotaev, Research Fellow at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences, from analysing the leisure habits of more than 5,000 Russians.
Russian Scientists Reconstruct Dynamics of Brain Neuron Model Using Neural Network
Researchers from HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod have shown that a neural network can reconstruct the dynamics of a brain neuron model using just a single set of measurements, such as recordings of its electrical activity. The developed neural network was trained to reconstruct the system's full dynamics and predict its behaviour under changing conditions. This method enables the investigation of complex biological processes, even when not all necessary measurements are available. The study has been published in Chaos, Solitons & Fractals.
Researchers Uncover Specific Aspects of Story Comprehension in Young Children
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Scientists Propose Novel Theory on Origin of Genetic Code
Alan Herbert, Scientific Supervisor of the HSE International Laboratory of Bioinformatics, has put forward a new explanation for one of biology's enduring mysteries—the origin of the genetic code. According to his publication in Biology Letters, the contemporary genetic code may have originated from self-organising molecular complexes known as ‘tinkers.’ The author presents this novel hypothesis based on an analysis of secondary DNA structures using the AlphaFold 3 neural network.
See, Feel, and Understand: HSE Researchers to Explore Mechanisms of Movement Perception in Autism
Scientists at the HSE Cognitive Health and Intelligence Centre have won a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (RSF) to investigate the mechanisms of visual motion perception in autism. The researchers will design an experimental paradigm to explore the relationship between visual attention and motor skills in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. This will provide insight into the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying social interaction difficulties in autism and help identify strategies for compensating for them.
Scholars Disprove Existence of ‘Crisis of Trust’ in Science
An international team of researchers, including specialists from HSE University, has conducted a large-scale survey in 68 countries on the subject of trust in science. In most countries, people continue to highly value the work of scientists and want to see them take a more active role in public life. The results have been published in Nature Human Behaviour.
Education System Reforms Led to Better University Performance, HSE Researchers Find
A study by researchers at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences and the Institute of Education have found that the number of academic papers published by research universities in international journals has tripled in the past eight years. Additionally, universities have developed more distinct specialisations. Thus, sectoral universities specialising in medical, pedagogical, technical, and other fields are twice as likely to admit students to target places. The study has been published in Vocation, Technology & Education.
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A team of scientists from 17 countries, including physicists from HSE University, analysed early photometric and spectroscopic data of GRB 221009A, the brightest gamma-ray burst ever recorded. The data was obtained at the Sayan Observatory one hour and 15 minutes after the emission was registered. The researchers detected photons with an energy of 18 teraelectronvolts (TeV). Theoretically, such high-energy particles should not reach Earth, but data analysis has confirmed that they can. The results challenge the theory of gamma radiation absorption and may point to unknown physical processes. The study has been published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.