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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

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Literature trend202 papers in the last 12 months-2% vs prior 12How this is computed
Latest papers · live from Europe PMC
Open in Europe PMC

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