Boron neutron capture therapy
In boron neutron capture therapy a boron drug accumulates in tumour cells, then a neutron beam makes only those cells explode from inside.
Approved in Japan (2020) for recurrent head and neck cancer using accelerator-based neutron sources (Sumitomo) and borofalan (10B). Trials extend to glioma and melanoma. Very few facilities.
Schematic · not to scale
Thermal neutrons · B-10 capture → α + Li · Boron-loaded tumour cell
How it works
10B captures thermal neutrons and fissions into alpha and lithium particles with ~10 µm range.
Strengths
- Cellular-level selectivity
Limitations
- Boron delivery agent limits tumour selectivity
- Few facilities
Latest papers
topLatest papers · live from Europe PMC
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