In 2020, Japan became the first country to use boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)

BNCT, like many other radiotherapy options, directs radiation into the body to kill cancer cells, but uses less intense beams than traditional radiotherapy.

The technology of BNCT uses a targeted interaction between the boron in the tumor and the neutrons in the beam that releases strong radiation locally, minimizing damage to healthy tissue and it is used for the treatment of unresectable advanced or recurrent head and neck tumours.

Koji Ono, director of the Kansai BNCT Medical Center at Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, explains that standard treatments, such as chemotherapy, other radiotherapies or targeted pharmaceuticals, are still the first choice for head and neck cancer, however, BNCT is now available for more intractable cases.

Across Japan, more than 500 patients with head and neck cancers have been treated using the technology so far, and the numbers of patients are increasing each year.

BNCT uses a method that does less damage to tissue on its way to the target tumour cells. To do this, patients are given a boron-containing drug designed to accumulate in tumour cells. Shortly after, doctors release a stream of low-energy neutrons using a compact particle accelerator, irradiating the now boron-heavy tumour tissue.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-023-00448-3