The reporter learned from the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Institute of High Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences) on August 13 that China’s first self-developed accelerator boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) experimental device has been successfully developed by the Dongguan Branch of the Institute of High Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Start the first round of cell experiments and small animal experiments to prepare the preliminary technical preparations for subsequent clinical trials.

  As one of the most advanced cancer treatment methods in the world, BNCT first injects a boron-containing drug into the patient during BNCT treatment. This drug has a strong affinity with cancer cells and will quickly accumulate in cancer cells, which is equivalent to giving cancer. The cells are "marked", but are 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 highly lethal alpha particles and lithium ions, the cancer cells can be accurately "killed".

  BNCT has the characteristics of low cost and efficient treatment. After receiving treatment, patients 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.

  At present, researchers from the Institute of High Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences are using the first device developed to carry out experimental research on BNCT-related core technologies and optimize the overall performance of the device. They plan to carry out cell and animal experiments to carry out BNCT indications on a larger scale, which is a new generation of boron drugs. R&D and animal experiments provide corresponding experimental environments, and pass animal safety verification, laying the foundation for later clinical trials. (Reporter Sun Zifa edited Lu Jie)

Editor in charge: 【Luo Pan】