Trial Tests New Radiation Treatment for Head, Neck Cancer

(National Institute of Mental Health)

Clinical trials of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) at Helsinki University Central Hospital in Finland indicate the therapy has potential to treat patients with advanced head and neck cancer who have not responded to previous treatments. The results of the trial were published online in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics (paid subscription required)

BNCT treatment produces radiation inside a tumor using boron-10 and thermal neutrons. Boron-10 is introduced into cancer cells with the help of phenylalanine, a special carrier substance. The tumor is then irradiated with low-energy neutrons.

The neutrons react with the boron to generate high linear energy transfer (high-LET) radiation, which can destroy the cancer cells. One to two BNCT treatment sessions may be sufficient to destroy a tumor, while keeping the impact of radiation on surrounding healthy tissue to a minimum.

Some 30 patients from hospitals around Finland took part in the trial. Apart from palliative chemotherapy, conventional treatment was no longer considered possible for the patients treated in the BNCT trial. About three-quarters (76%) of patients responded well to the treatment and 30% were still alive two years after treatment, although only one patient has survived 55 months.

The hospital says BNCT treatment has been given to over 200 patients to date, most of whom had recurring head and neck cancer or a malignant brain tumor.

BNCT treatment is provided by Boneca Corporation, based at the main campus of Helsinki University Central Hospital and the world’s only provider of BNCT radiation treatment. Boneca Corporation is owned by the hospital’s Clinical Research Institute, Sitra/Finnish Innovation Fund, and VTT Ventures Ltd.

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