Development of a scientific version TPS workflow for BNCT dosimetry based on DICOM and Monte Carlo engine

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a binary targeted radiotherapy modality that requires accurate dose calculation and treatment plan optimization. In this work, we proposed a scientific version Treatment Planning System (TPS) for BNCT. The proposed TPS is a workflow for research purposes, aiming at dosimetric analysis and plan formulation and not certified for clinical use. The workflow integrates DICOM based voxel phantom reconstruction, automated generation of Monte Carlo program input files, and post-processing of BNCT dose components to enable comparative evaluation of candidate epithermal neutron spectra. Boron pharmacokinetics were incorporated using published concentration to time curves following intravenous bolus administration of Borono-Phenyl-Alanine (BPA). Compound Biological Effectiveness (CBE) factors of BPA were further applied to compute biologically equivalent doses for the tumor, normal brain tissue, and scalp. Two representative intracranial targets were selected to investigate dosimetric differences among four therapeutic beam spectra shaped by different moderator materials and thicknesses. The results indicate that the harder spectrum produced by 45 cm FLUENTAL moderation improves treatment efficiency for deep-seated tumors, whereas the softer spectrum produced by 45 cm MgF₂ moderation provides improved dose selectivity for shallow tumors. Overall, these findings demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed scientific version TPS workflow as a research tool for BNCT dosimetry studies.