NCI Workshop on Neutron Capture Therapy (NCT) for Cancer

Presented by DCTD’s Radiation Research Program

April 20-22, 2022
Recordings: Day 1 ; Day 2 ; Day 3

Background

NCT involves nuclear capture and fission reactions that occur when an appropriate isotope, e.g., boron-10, is irradiated with low-energy (thermal) neutrons. This requires powerful (high flux) neutron sources and compounds capable of delivering neutron capture isotopes selectively to tumor cells or their microenvironment.

Research institutions with nuclear reactors can provide appropriate neutron sources for NCT; however, these sites are typically located away from medical centers where patients receive standard treatment. This limitation has negatively impacted the clinical use of NCT. Following recent technological advances, medical centers can now house relatively small (comparable to proton therapy units), accelerator-based neutron sources. This new development has strengthened interest in developing and testing new NCT delivery agents and testing them in clinical trials.

Workshop Goals (Agenda)

• Assess the state of NCT
• Confer on NCT compounds under development and in the pipeline
• Stimulate new ideas for relevant neutron capture isotopes
• Discuss and recommend the best models/methods for translational research (preclinical and clinical)

Workshop Highlights (Recordings: Day 1 ; Day 2 ; Day 3 )

Topic	Discussion Points
Clinical Trials (day 1)	Overview of recent developments worldwide Setting up new accelerator-based facilities preclinical validation studies regulatory issues Recent and ongoing clinical trials for: recurrent head and neck cancer recurrent glioblastoma skin cancers Design of future NCT clinical trials
Delivery Agents (day 2)	Novel boron delivery agents small molecules nanoparticles Other neutron-capture nuclides
Translational Research (day 3)	Dosimetry new methods reporting Evaluation of biological effects in preclinical studies Optimal in vivo models

Organizing Committee

Rolf F. Barth, MD, The Ohio State University	Jacek Capala, PhD, NCI
Julie Hong, MS, NCI	Narayan Hosmane, PhD, Northern Illinois University
Heikki Joensuu, MD, PhD, University of Helsinki Hospital	Sunil Krishnan, MD, Mayo Clinic
Akira Matsumura, MD, PhD, DrMed, University of Tsukuba	Wolfgang Sauerwein, MD, German Society for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Reinhard Schulte, MD, Loma Linda University	Amanda Schwint, PhD, National Atomic Energy Commission, National Research Council, Buenos Aires
Graca Vicente, PhD, Louisiana State University	Bhadrasain Vikram, MD, NCI
Jamey Weichert, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

For questions, please contact Jacek Capala or Julie Hong.