Annual Report 2021
Division of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Hiroshi Igaki, Tairo Kashihara, Kimiteru Ito, Yoshitaka Narita, Seiichi Yoshimoto, Naoya Yamazaki, Satoshi Nakamura, Mihiro Takemori, Masamichi Ishiai, Mitsuko Masutani, Shoji Imamichi, Hiroaki Kurihara
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. We are also working to develop guidelines on the evaluation of neutron beam characteristics in medical devices in cooperation with the Japanese Society for Neutron Capture Therapy.
Research activities
A clinical trial of BNCT and related physical and biological experiments are being intensively conducted. To select the optimal patients for BNCT, we conduct basic and clinical studies of [18F]FBPA PET and amino-acid transporter LAT1.
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 enrollment is progressing well.
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 has been facilitated, compared with the previous environment of the reactor-based BNCT era. The role of BNCT in oncology will be established and the indications of BNCT will be expanded soon.