Annual Report 2022
Division of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Hiroshi Igaki, Tairo Kashihara, Kimiteru Ito, Yoshitaka Narita, Seiichi Yoshimoto, Naoya Yamazaki, Satoshi Nakamura, Mihiro Takemori, Masamichi Ishiai, Yui Kanai, Mitsuko Masutani, Shoji Imamichi, Hiroaki Kurihara, Keita Okazaki
Introduction
A linear accelerator-based neutron irradiation system for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) was developed using a solid lithium target, the first such system in the world, and installed in the National Cancer Center Hospital. 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
We are working to expand the clinical indications of BNCT, and to develop guidelines and international standards for the accelerator-based BNCT systems as 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 are engaged in basic and clinical studies of [18F]FBPA PET and amino-acid transporter LAT1.
Clinical Trials
An ongoing phase II clinical trial of accelerator-based BNCT for angiosarcoma was started in 2021. 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.