The successful development of China’s first self-developed accelerator boron neutron capture therapy experimental device will bring technological innovations to tumor treatment is
expected to accurately "kill" cancer cells
Yesterday morning, the reporter learned from a press conference held by the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences that the Dongguan branch of the institute successfully developed China’s first independently developed accelerator boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) experimental device, and launched the first round of cell experiments and Small animal experiments have made the preliminary technical preparations for clinical trials. The successful development of this device has laid a technical foundation for the localization and industrialization of the entire medical BNCT treatment device in China, and will bring technological innovation to the treatment of tumors in my country.
Text, picture/Guangzhou Daily all-media reporter Ma Jun, Jiang Xingduan correspondent Zhang Wei
Only "kill" cancer cells without damaging surrounding cells
It is understood that BNCT is currently one of the most advanced cancer treatment methods in the world. During the treatment, the patient is first injected with a boron-containing drug. This drug has a strong affinity with cancer cells and will quickly accumulate in the cancer cells to "mark" the cancer cells, but is rarely distributed in other tissues. The patient is then irradiated with neutrons, which lasts within 1 hour, and the entire treatment process generally only needs to be irradiated once. When the irradiated neutrons are captured by the boron in the cancer cells to produce high-lethal alpha particles and lithium ions, the cancer cells can be accurately "killed".
"Alpha particles and lithium ions have a very short range, only one cell in length, so they only'kill' cancer cells without damaging the surrounding tissues. BNCT is very effective for gliomas, melanomas and recurrent head and neck tumors. And try to treat liver cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and other organ tumors.” According to Liang Tianjiao, deputy director of the Dongguan branch of the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, BNCT has the characteristics of low cost and high efficiency. After the patient receives treatment, It can maintain a high quality of life, the treatment course is short and flexible, the treatment cost is low, and the patient's economic burden is small. With the development of a new generation of boron-containing drugs, the range of diseases suitable for BNCT treatment is further expanding.
In March 2020, the world's first accelerator BNCT device and boron drug were formally approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, and it has begun to accept patients. This is the first time that boron neutron capture therapy has officially entered clinical application in the world. On August 13, 2020, 8 academicians and experts from the fields of radiation medicine, particle accelerators, neutron physics and technology, and boron medicine reviewed the accelerator BNCT experimental device developed by the Dongguan Branch of the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is believed that the successful development of this device is another major achievement that China has made in the development of complete machine technology for high-end cancer treatment medical equipment; the entire device is independently designed and constructed, and all core technologies are mastered, laying a solid foundation for the next step in the construction of clinical BNCT treatment devices. The technological foundation of China has significantly improved China’s international competitiveness in this field.
Clinical trials will soon begin
At present, researchers are using this experimental device to carry out experimental research on BNCT-related core technologies to optimize the overall performance of the device. It is planned to carry out research on BNCT indications on a larger scale through cell and animal experiments to provide a corresponding experimental environment for the development of a new generation of boron drugs and animal experiments. At the same time, it has passed animal safety verification, laying the foundation for later clinical trials.
The reporter learned that, on the basis of the successful development of this BNCT experimental device, the Institute of High Energy and Dongguan People’s Hospital jointly carried out the design and development of the second BNCT clinical equipment, which is expected to enter clinical trials soon and gradually carry out clinical treatments in accordance with regulations. . Chen Yanwei, deputy director of the Institute of High Energy Physics, said that many developed countries such as Japan and the United States are actively promoting the development of BNCT technology. Propulsion accelerator BNCT can not only make China's large-scale medical equipment have a place in the world, but also benefit society, help implement the healthy China strategy, and open a new era of cancer treatment.
The industrialization of neutron scattering technology bears fruit
In the past, the strong neutron beam used for BNCT treatment was mainly generated by nuclear reactors. Different from nuclear reactor-based BNCT devices, accelerator BNCT devices can be used in hospitals located in densely populated areas as ray devices. In the future, they can be expanded to the city and county levels to achieve personalization and routine in a wider range. BNCT treatment has broad application prospects and far-reaching development potential.
"Strong neutron sources are generally only found in large scientific research laboratories. BNCT has been developing slowly for decades. At present, there are only more than 1,400 reactor-based BNCT clinical trials in the world. But if accelerators can be used to generate neutrons, it is easy to extend to Hospital use." Fu Shinian, deputy manager of China Spallation Neutron Source Project, introduced.
In 2018, the Institute of High Energy Physics built China's first spallation neutron source in Dongguan, Guangdong. It has unique advantages in accelerator and neutron technology. The BNCT device is the first industry spawned by China's spallation neutron source related technology The chemical project is of great significance to the demonstration and driving the development of the spallation neutron source related industries. Guangdong Province and Dongguan City have given strong support to this. This also fully proves that in addition to basic research and applied research, the design and construction of large scientific devices will vigorously promote the development of related industries and technological innovation.
"The spallation neutron source uses the high-energy protons produced by the accelerator to bombard heavy metal targets to produce neutrons. The BNCT accelerator has much lower energy, and the target material used is also different from the spallation neutron source." Fu Shinian introduced, " In December last year, the BNCT experimental device successfully obtained the neutron beam for the first target shooting, which proved the high quality and high reliability of our equipment manufacturing, installation and debugging. Subsequently, we gradually achieved stable operation and continuous improvement of power."