Annual Report 2020
Division of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Jun Itami, Hiroshi Igaki, Yoshitaka Narita, Seiichi Yoshimoto, Naoya Yamazaki, Mitsuko Masutani, Hiroyuki Okamoto, Satoshi Nakamura, Tairo Kashihara, Shoji Imamichi, Masashi Ito
Introduction
A linear accelerator-based neutron irradiation system for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) was developed and installed in the National Cancer Center Hospital using a solid lithium target, the first such system in the world. A first-in-human clinical trial of BNCT for skin cancers (melanoma and angiosarcoma) was started in 2019 after the physical and biological experiments to measure the neutron spectrum from the accelerator-based system.
The Team and What We Do
The first-in-human trial of the linear accelerator-based BNCT system is now ongoing. Patients with melanoma and angiosarcoma are the study participants.
Research activities
A clinical trial of BNCT and related physical and biological experiments are intensively conducted. To select the optimal patients for BNCT, we conduct basic and clinical studies of [18F]FBPA PET.
Clinical trials
An ongoing first-in-human clinical trial of accelerator-based BNCT for melanoma and angiosarcoma was started in 2019 after consultation with PMDA. The patient recruitment is currently open.
Education
We are continually developing human resources for BNCT research.
Future Prospects
With the hospital-based neutron irradiation system for BNCT, patient recruitment for BNCT clinical trials will be facilitated, and the role of BNCT in oncology will be established in the near future.