Neutron capture therapy of cancer

Boron neutron capture therapy (English Boron Neutron Capture Therapy BNCT ) is a potential cancer therapy, are introduced in the boron compounds in the cancer cells and then reacted with slow ( thermal ) neutrons for fission. The released energy and particles (helium and lithium nuclei ) are limited to the radius of a cell.

The goal is to find the boron compounds which are non-toxic and accumulate in tumor tissue to be destroyed, this can be selectively removed by neutron irradiation. The idea for BNCT was developed in 1936 by Gordon L. Locher and is currently still in development. Promising results in the treatment of certain tumors have been achieved.

The research has the objective to respond specifically to various tumor diseases. This mark boron ( isotopic ) molecules, the abnormal cells (tumor - targeting). The physiology of cancer cells, thus the very high proliferation rate, should be exploited and this is an essential part of research. So there are already attempts amino acids that have high affinities for certain growth factors to a boron isotopic cluster ( carbaborane icosahedron ) to bind. Advantage of this phenomenon is to have healthy tissue, spared, as it is engaged regiospecific.