Boron neutron capture therapy: Current status and future perspectives

Abstract

The development of new accelerators has given a new impetus to the development of new drugs and treatment technologies using boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). We analyzed the current status and future directions of BNCT for cancer treatment, as well as the main issues related to its introduction. This review highlights the principles of BNCT and the key milestones in its development: new boron delivery drugs and different types of charged particle accelerators are described; several important aspects of BNCT implementation are discussed. BCNT could be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and it is evaluated in light of the outlined issues. For the speedy implementation of BCNT in medical practice, it is necessary to develop more selective boron delivery agents and to generate an epithermal neutron beam with definite characteristics. Pharmacological companies and research laboratories should have access to accelerators for large‐scale screening of new, more specific boron delivery agents.

Mapping the Relative Biological Effectiveness of Proton, Helium and Carbon Ions with High-Throughput Techniques

“…Additional benefits may be afforded from helium's inherent stability which would reduce the off-target dose contributions seen with heavier ion therapies from their longer fragmentation tail and larger secondary particle halo [48]. Furthermore, while our initial studies have focused on the development and implementation of the high-throughput technique to measure charged particle RBE, the application of the method could be readily broadened by mapping the spatial dependence of additional forms of therapeutic energy-dependent radiation interactions such as those leveraged in boron neutron capture therapy or nanoparticle radiation enhancement [49][50][51][52][53].…”

Radiolabeled Gold Nanoparticles for Imaging and Therapy of Cancer

“…BNCT is a technique based on the nuclear reaction 10 B(n, α) 7 Li that involves a neutron-capture process causing fission reactions that originate high-LET alpha particles (150 keV/µm) [135]. BNCT differs from the classical radionuclide therapy discussed previously, as the therapeutic radiation delivered by BNCT is triggered by the external neutron irradiation of the boron atoms that are accumulated by tumour cells.…”

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of High Boron-Loaded Nucleic Acids for BNCT

“…Sufficient application of this method in clinical medicine requires, first of all, effective and selective accumulation of boron compounds in the cancer cells. The creation of novel sources of epithermal neutrons with improved characteristics together with molecular engineering of new boron delivery agents can lead to the breakthrough in the practical use of the BNCT for the therapy of the tumors, especially those resistant to other treatments (e.g., Taskaev, 2015 ; Barth et al, 2018 ; Sato et al, 2018 ; Taskaev, 2019 ; Dymova et al, 2020 ).…”