BNCT is an experimental form of binary radiotherapy
For more details on our research click below
What is BNCT ?
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is an experimental form of binary radiotherapy, based on thermal neutron irradiation of the tumour previously enriched with 10B. The thermal neutron capture raction ( 10 B(n,α) 7Li), gives rise to two high LET particles that loose all their energy in a path of the order of a cell diameter. If a sufficient number of Boron atoms are loaded in a cell, the thermal neutron irradiation causes some irreversible damages to the DNA, inactivating the cell where the reactions take place. The tumoural cells uptake higher 10B concentrations compared to the normal tissues. Hence, the irradiation with thermal neutrons delivers a potentially therapeutic dose to the malignancy, with a substantial sparing of the healthy surrounding tissues. This selective effect is a promising novelty in the field of the cancer therapy and since it was proposed for the first time, it has been applied to the tumours with a poor response to traditional therapies such as surgery, γ radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The first tumour treated by BNCT was Glioblastoma Multiforme, using borated compounds and neutron beams extracted from nuclear reactors in USA, Japan and Europe. Nowadays, feasibility studies and clinical trials are being carried out all over the world. BNCT is applied to a number of other tumours, using neutrons in wider energy ranges and boron carriers of new generation.
Who supports and where is BNCT research performed in Italy ?
We are actively researching BNCT at the university of Pavia since more than 25 years.
Our research activities
BNCT is a highly multidisciplinary research field, combining the effort of: Biologists, Chemists, Engineers, Physicians and Medics. The researching group in pavia is mainly composed by physicians and biologists, relying on strong national and international collaborations (Argentina, England, Finland and USA).
Our main activities are:
NEUTRON TRANSPORT
We mainly develop neutro Beam Shaping Assemblies (BSA) from sources such as accelerators and nuclear reactors.
BORON MEASUREMENTS
Currently two boron measuring techniques are set up at the LENA laboratory of Pavia: Alpha spectrometry and neutron autoradiography. Boron concentration measurements can be performed on solid tissue sample and on liquid samples.
IN-VIVO BNCT
In collaboration with biology groups we perform in vivo BNCT irradiation to evaluate the performance of new boron formulations.
SPECT - BNCT
This is a new research topic, the aim is to develop an instrument to measure boron concentration in the patient during the BNCT treatment.
We have held in Pavia the 8th congress for Young researchers in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.
Latest
Collaboration workshop: BNCT neutron beam tailoring
In the frame of the Executive Program of Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Italy and China for the years 2016-2018. Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and MOST
“Clinical application of accelerator-based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy: optimization of procedures, tailoring of a neutron beam and evaluation of its dosimetric performance.” PhD dissertation defense by Ian Postuma on the 26th of January 2016 at the Physics department of the University of Pavia.
The Kent Riley Award went to: Ricardo Ramos from the Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Argentina. Presenting : “Study of thermal neutron scattering nuclear data for dosimetry calculations”