Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Radiobiology
摘要
The knowledge of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) radiobiology is essential to optimize the therapeutic efficacy of BNCT for different pathologies and to design novel, safe, and effective BNCT protocols for existing or new targets. Within this context, translational research in adequate animal models is pivotal to the advancement of BNCT. This chapter describes the principles of BNCT radiobiology and gives an overview of international efforts devoted to understand the biologically effective dose of BNCT, to elucidate the radiobiological considerations underlying an ideal boron carrier, to perform translational research to optimize boron targeting and therapeutic efficacy, to contribute to the knowledge of the mechanisms of action of BNCT, to explore new targets for BNCT, and to envision the use of combined therapies. The development of novel strategies to administer boron compounds and apply BNCT, employing compounds already approved for their use in humans, contributes to bridge the gap between translational research and clinical evaluation. The recent incorporation of accelerators as a source of neutrons poses the need to perform translational research employing accelerator-based BNCT. A remarkable increase in translational research in the field of BNCT radiobiology over recent years will conceivably contribute to establish BNCT as an effective treatment for existing or new tumor targets.