Boron Neutron Capture Therapy: A New Hope for Cancer Treatment

Review of global clinical data suggests that boron neutron capture therapy may extend survival in patients with malignant tumors

Malignant gliomas are among the deadliest brain cancers, with limited treatment options and poor survival. A new comprehensive review analyzes decades of global clinical data on boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a targeted radiation approach. The study finds consistent survival benefits across multiple tumor types and treatment settings. By synthesizing evidence from accelerator- and reactor-based studies worldwide, the work highlights BNCT’s renewed clinical promise and outlines key challenges for broader adoption.

Malignant gliomas, including glioblastoma, are among the most aggressive and deadly brain tumors. Even with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, most patients survive little more than a year after diagnosis. For recurrent tumors, treatment options are extremely limited, and outcomes are often poor. This harsh reality has fueled growing interest in alternative therapies that can more precisely target cancer cells while sparing healthy brain tissue.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a targeted radiotherapy has emerged as a potential  technique for treatment of recurrent tumors by precise eradication of malignant tumor cells while sparing adjacent healthy tissues. This therapy involves a boron-containing drug that preferentially accumulates in tumor cells. The tumor is then exposed to a neutron beam. When neutrons interact with boron atoms inside cancer cells, they trigger a nuclear reaction that releases high-energy particles capable of destroying the tumor, while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.

In a new study, a team of researchers led by Dr. Chunhong Wang from Peking University, China, and Dr. Zhigang Liu and Dr. Xiao Xu from Southern Medical University, China, provide one of the most comprehensive reviews to date of BNCT for malignant gliomas. Rather than reporting results from a single clinical trial, the team systematically reviewed decades of clinical studies conducted worldwide to evaluate BNCT’s effectiveness, safety, and clinical potential. The study was published in Volume 9 of the journal Research on 8 January 2026.

“BNCT is fundamentally different and advantageous compared to conventional radiochemotherapy. It can eliminate both proliferative and  quiescent and hypoxic tumor cells. In addition, BNCT destroys only those cells that have absorbed the neutron capture agent and are irradiated by neutrons. Moreover, the drug involved has low toxicity and minimal side effects,” says Dr. Wang.

To conduct their analysis, the researchers examined clinical trials and case series involving patients with newly diagnosed, recurrent, or treatment-resistant malignant gliomas. These studies used different boron drugs, most commonly boronophenylalanine, and a variety of neutron sources, including nuclear reactors and more recent accelerator-based systems. The team assessed outcomes such as overall survival, progression-free survival, and tumor response. Despite differences in study design and treatment protocols, the findings revealed a consistent trend. Across multiple studies and regions, BNCT was associated with survival outcomes that compared favorably with standard treatments, particularly in patients with recurrent tumors. In several reports, median survival times exceeded expectations for this patient group, and a subset of patients achieved long-term survival.

“Preliminary clinical data indicate that BNCT treatment may extend the overall survival and improve the quality of life for patients with glioblastoma, head and neck carcinoma, meningioma, malignant melanoma, and liver cancer,” says Dr. Liu.

The review also highlights BNCT’s potential beyond glioblastoma. Positive outcomes were reported in other high-grade brain tumors, including anaplastic gliomas and malignant meningiomas, suggesting that the therapy may have broader clinical applications.

One key factor driving renewed interest in BNCT is technological progress. Early BNCT treatments depended on nuclear reactors, while in recent years, accelerator-based neutron sources have been developed, making hospital-based BNCT more feasible and accessible for patients.

While clinical trials have evaluated the potential of BNCT across various tumor types, many of the reviewed studies involved small sample sizes, and treatment protocols varied widely in terms of boron compounds and neutron dose. These differences affected direct comparison of results across studies.

“Further prospective, well-designed clinical trials with standardized treatment protocols are needed to fully establish the clinical utility of BNCT,” concludes Dr. Xu.

Reference

Additional information for EurekAlert

About Southern Medical University

Southern Medical University (SMU), located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, is a prominent medical university with a strong focus on medical education, research, and healthcare innovation. Founded in 1951, SMU has developed a reputation for excellence in clinical medicine, public health, and biomedical research. The university emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, international partnerships, and advanced medical training, fostering both scientific discovery and skilled healthcare professionals. With modern facilities, teaching hospitals, and a commitment to innovation-driven education, SMU plays a vital role in advancing medical research and cultivating healthcare talent in China.

Website: https://www.smu.edu.cn/english/ 

About the journal

Launched in 2018, Research is the first journal in the Science Partner Journal (SPJ) program. Research is published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in association with Science and Technology Review Publishing House. Research publishes fundamental research in the life and physical sciences as well as important findings or issues in engineering and applied science. The journal publishes original research articles, reviews, perspectives, and editorials (Impact factor = 10.7, Citescore = 13.3).

Funding information

This study was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (nos. 82502440 and 22406006), the Guangdong Province Basic and Applied Basic Research Fund Special Project (Regional Cultivation Project) (no. 2023A1515140032), Guangdong Province Basic and Applied Basic Research Fund Special Project (Regional Joint Fund-Key Project) (no. 23201910250000400), and the Open Fund of the China Spallation Neutron Source Songshan Lake Scientific City (no. KFKT2023A02).

Media contact: 

Tian Tian

tiantian@cast.org.cm 

010-62172600

Image

Title: Advances in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)

Caption: Researchers provide a comprehensive overview of BNCT clinical trials, covering the therapeutic principles of BNCT and the current status and outcomes of clinical trials for various types of tumors.

Credit: Jensflorian from Openverse

Image source link: https://openverse.org/image/938938e6-052f-4de5-83a6-3cc429f64992?q=glioblastoma&p=14 

License type: CC BY-SA 3.0

Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator. Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.