Back to Search Start Over

[The New Generation of Particle Therapy Focused on Boron Element (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy; BNCT) -The World's First Approved BNCT Drug].

[The New Generation of Particle Therapy Focused on Boron Element (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy; BNCT) -The World's First Approved BNCT Drug].

Authors :
Nakashima H
Source :
Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan [Yakugaku Zasshi] 2022; Vol. 142 (2), pp. 155-164.
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a type of radiation therapy and a new modality for cancer treatment. The radiation used in BNCT is a very low energy neutron called a "thermal neutron", and unlike other radiation, it has no effect on treating cancer on its own. However, when this neutron collides with boron-10 ( <superscript>10</superscript> B), which is a stable isotope of boron, fission occurs into a high-energy helium nucleus (α-particle) and a lithium nucleus. Moreover, the effect of this fission reaction is limited to a range of about 10 μm, which corresponds to the approximate size of one cell. Therefore, the basic principle of BNCT is "cell-selective" radiation therapy that only damages cells that have taken up <superscript>10</superscript> B present in the area irradiated with thermal neutrons. For the practical application of BNCT, it is indispensable to generate a boron drug capable of selectively accumulating <superscript>10</superscript> B in cancer cells. We have successfully developed a boron drug for BNCT targeting amino acid transporters. We have obtained manufacturing and marketing approval for the world's first boron drug for BNCT, Steboronine <superscript>®</superscript> intravenous drip bag 9000 mg/300 mL (March 25, 2020), for indications of locally unresectable recurrent or advanced unresectable head and neck cancer. This uses Borofalan ( <superscript>10</superscript> B), which is <superscript>10</superscript> B introduced into l-phenylalanine, as a drug substance. This review describes the progress of drug development and future prospects of boron drugs for BNCT.

Details

Language :
Japanese
ISSN :
1347-5231
Volume :
142
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
35110452
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1248/yakushi.21-00173-4