The Progress and Prospect of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a kind of radiotherapy that can selectively kill tumor cells. After being carried into the human body, the Boron (¹⁰B) compound will be selectively enriched in tumor cells, reacting with the neutron, and release α particles and ⁷Li particles to kill the tumor. BNCT has become a new method in the field of radiation therapy because of its targeted treatment, low toxicity and high efficiency. Since the last century, boron neutron capture therapy has emerged in various countries and gradually developed. It has been able to successfully treat glioma, melanoma and other diseases. Recently, BNCT is faced with some problems that develop innovative and efficient boron-containing drugs, establish more accurate measurement system of boron dose, and how the medical neutron sources get rid of nuclear reactors. This article will briefly summarize and explore the principles, advantages, progress and problems of BNCT.