Boron Neutron Capture Therapy and Particle Beam Radiotherapy
This research community develops targeted radiation treatments for cancer, primarily using boron compounds and neutron beams to destroy tumor cells while sparing surrounding tissue.
The work centers on the design and synthesis of boron delivery agents, such as boron clusters and carboranes, to concentrate boron specifically within tumors. These agents are paired with neutron sources and Monte Carlo simulations to calculate precise dose rates and beam paths. The research applies these methods to specific cancers, with a strong focus on uveal and choroidal melanoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and brain metastases. It also encompasses the physics of proton and carbon ion therapy, including treatment planning and biological effectiveness studies.
Boron research accounts for 4.4% of all tracked boron literature, representing 3,107 papers within this group. Iridium research contributes 1.3% of its total output, and beryllium research contributes 1.2%.
The community comprises 17,832 papers, publishing most frequently in the International Journal of Radiation OncologyBiologyPhysics, Medical Physics, and Physics in Medicine and Biology.
Recent work includes the development of state-of-the-art boron clusters for therapy, the use of carborane-based bioisosteres as anticancer agents, and studies on how boron neutron capture therapy interacts with immune cells in preclinical models.