Boron neutron capture therapy for malignant brain tumors

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiation Oncology

Background:

• Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a tumor-selective radiation therapy.
• It utilizes the nuclear capture and fission reactions of boron-10 (¹⁰B) irradiated by low-energy neutrons.
• This process selectively destroys ¹⁰B-containing cells via high linear energy transfer particles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review clinical results of reactor-based BNCT for high-grade gliomas and meningiomas.
• To discuss the transition to accelerator-based BNCT systems.
• To explore future prospects of accelerator-based BNCT for malignant brain tumors.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical outcomes from reactor-based BNCT for newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastomas and malignant gliomas.
• Presentation of results for reactor-based BNCT in recurrent and refractory high-grade meningiomas.
• Analysis of clinical trials and regulatory approval of accelerator-based BNCT systems.

Main Results:

• Reactor-based BNCT has been applied to 58 newly diagnosed and 68 recurrent malignant gliomas.
• Clinical results for 46 cases of recurrent and refractory high-grade meningiomas were also investigated.
• Phase 1 and 2 trials for recurrent malignant gliomas using accelerator-based neutron sources have been completed.

Conclusions:

• Accelerator-based BNCT systems are emerging, with a cyclotron-based generator approved in Japan.
• This marks the world's first approved accelerator-based BNCT system for medical use.
• Accelerator-based BNCT holds significant future potential for treating malignant brain tumors in hospitals.