Summary
The status of fission reactor-based neutron beams for neutron capture therapy (NCT) is reviewed critically. Epithermal neutron beams, which are favored for treatment of deep-seated tumors, have been constructed or are under construction at a number of reactors worldwide. Some of the most recently constructed epithermal neutron beams approach the theoretical optimum for beam purity. Of these higher quality beams, at least one is suitable for use in high through-put routine therapy. It is concluded that reactor-based epithermal neutron beams with near optimum characteristics are currently available and more can be constructed at existing reactors. Suitable reactors include relatively low power reactors using the core directly as a source of neutrons or a fission converter if core neutrons are difficult to access. Thermal neutron beams for NCT studies with small animals or for shallow tumor treatments, with near optimum properties have been available at reactors for many years. Additional high quality thermal beams can also be constructed at existing reactors or at new, small reactors. Furthermore, it should be possible to design and construct new low power reactors specifically for NCT, which meet all requirements for routine therapy and which are based on proven and highly safe reactor technology.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Harling OK, Riley KJ, Newton TH, Wilson BA, Bernard JA, Hu L-W, Fonteneau EJ, Menadier PT, Ali SJ, Sutharshan B, Kohse GE, Ostrovsky Y, Stahle PW, Binns PJ, Kiger WS, III Busse PM: The fission converter based epithermal neutron irradiation facility at the MIT Reactor. Nucl Sci Eng 140: 223–240, 2002
Harling OK: Boron neutron capture therapy research at the MIT Research Reactor. Neutron News 5(4): 23–28, 1994
Rogus RD: Design and dosimetry of epithermal neutron beams for clinical trials of boron neutron capture therapy at the MITR-II Reactor. Ph.D. Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994
Liu HB, Greenberg DD, Capala J: An improved neutron collimator for brain tumor irradiations in clinical boron neutron capture therapy. Med Phys 23(12): 2051–2060, 1996
Riley KJ, Binns PJ, Greenberg D, Harling OK: A physical dosimetry intercomparison for BNCT. Med Phys 29(5): 898–904, 2002
Moss RL, Stecher-Rasmussen F, Ravensberg K, Constantine G, Watkins P: Design, construction and installation of an epithermal neutron beam for BNCT at the high flux reactor petten. In: Allen BJ et al. (ed) Progress in Neutron Capture Therapy for Cancer, Plenum Press, New York, 1992, pp 63–66
Sköld K, Kierkegaard J, Gudowska I, Håkansson R, Capala J: The Swedish facility for boron neutron capture therapy. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Neutron Capture Therapy, Osaka, Japan, October 2–6, 2000, pp 39–40
Auterinen I, Hiismäki P, Kotiluoto P, Rosenberg RJ, Salmenhara S, Seppälä T, Seren T, Tanner V, Aschan C, Kortesniemi M, Kosunen A, Lampinen J, Savolainen S, Toivonen M, Välimäki P: Metamorphosis of a 35 year-old TRIGA reactor into a modern BNCT facility. In: Hawthorne et al. (ed) Frontiers in Neutron Capture Therapy, Vol. I, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, 2001, pp 267–275
Marek M, Viererbl L, Burian J, Jansky B: Determination of the geometric and spectral characteristics of BNCT beam (neutron and gamma-ray). In: Hawthorne et al. (ed) Frontiers in Neutron Capture Therapy, Vol. I, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, 2001, pp 381–389
Marek M, Vierebl L, Flíbor S, Burian J, Rejchrt J: Validation of the epithermal neutron beam at LVR-15. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Neutron Capture Therapy, Osaka, Japan, October 2–6, 2000, pp 41–42
Sakurai Y, Kobayashi T, Kobayashi K: The characteristics of the updated heavy water facility of the Kyoto University Reactor (II) (neutron energy spectra for several irradiation modes). In: Hawthornet et al. (ed) Frontiers in Neutron Capture Therapy, Vol. I, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, 2001, pp 345–349
Kobayashi T, Sakurai Y, Kanda K, Fujita Y, Ono K: The remodeling and basic characteristics of the heavy water neutron irradiation facility of the Kyoto university research reactor, mainly for neutron capture therapy. Nucl Technol 131: 354–378, 2000
Yamamoto K, Kumada H, Torii Y, Hori N, Kishi T, Takada J, Ohtake S: Characteristics of neutron beams for BNCT. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Neutron Capture Therapy, Osaka, Japan, October 2–6, 2000, pp 243–244
Matsumoto T, et al.: Present status of the medical irradiation facility at the Musashi reactor. Pigment Cell Res 2: 4, 1989;
Aizawa O, et al.: Remodeling and dosimetry on the neutron irradiation facility of the Musashi Institute of Technology Reactor for boron neutron capture therapy. Nucl Technol 48(2): 150–163, 1980
Liu HB, Razvi J, Rucker R, Cerbone R, Merrill M, Whittemore W, Newell D, Autry S, Richards W, Boggan J: TRIGA® fuel based converter assembly design for a dualmode neutron beam system at the McClellan Nuclear Radiation Center. In: Hawthorne et al. (ed) Frontiers in Neutron Capture Therapy, Vol. I, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, 2001, pp 295–300
Nigg DW, Wemple CA, Venhuizen JR, Tripard GE, Sharp S, Gavin PR: 2002 Preliminary neutronic performance assessment of an epithermal neutron beam for preclinical BNCT Research at Washington State University. In: Venhuizen JR (ed) INEEL Advanced Radiotherapy Research Program Annual — Calendar Year 2001, INEEL/EXT-02-00060, 2002
Blaumann HR, Calzetta Larrieu O, Longhino JM, Albornoz AF: NCT facility development and beam characterisation at the RA-6 reactor. In: Hawthorne et al. (ed) Frontiers in Neutron Capture Therapy, Vol. I, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, 2001, pp 313–317
Liu Y-WH, Teng YH, Liao MZ: Design calculations of an epithermal neutron beam and development of a treatment planning system for the renovation of thor for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Neutron Capture Therapy, Osaka, Japan, October 2–6, 2000, pp 245–246
Liu HB: Design of neutron beams for neutron capture therapy using a 300-kW slab triga reactor. Nucl Technol 109: 314–326, 1995
Liu HB, Brugger R: Conceptual designs of epithermal neutron beams for boron neutron capture therapy from low-power reactors. Nucl Technol 108: 151–156, 1994
Yanch JC, Harling OK: A Monte Carlo study of ideal beams for epithermal neutron beam development for boron neutron capture therapy. In: Allen BJ, Moore DE, Harrington BV (eds) Progress in Neutron Capture Therapy for Cancer, Plenum Press, New York, 1992, pp 133–136
Zamenhof RG, Murray BW, Brownell GL, Wellum GR, Tolpin EI: Boron neutron capture therapy for the treatment of cerebral gliomas: I. theoretical evaluation of the efficacy of various neutron beams. Med Phys 2(2): 47, 1975
Liu HB, Joel DD, Slatkin DN, Coderre JA: Improved apparatus for neutron capture therapy of rat brain tumors. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 28: 1167–1173, 1994
Choi J-HR: Development and characterization of an epithermal beam for boron neutron capture therapy at MITR-II Research Reactor. ScD Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1991
Ashtari M: Biological & physical studies of boron neutron capture therapy. Ph.D. Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1982
Yanch JC, Shortkroff S, Shefer RE, Johnson S, Binello E, Gierga D, Jones AG, Young G, Vivicros C, Davison A, Sledge C: Boron neutron capture synovectomy: treatment of rheumatoid arthritis based on the10B(n,)7Li nuclear reaction. Med Phys (26)3: 364–375, 1999
Riley KJ, Harling OK: An improved prompt gamma neutron activation analysis facility using a focused diffracted neutron beam. Nucl Instrum Meth Phys Res B 143: 414–421, 1998
Wheeler FJ, Nigg DW, Capala J, Watkins PRD, Auterinen I, Seppälä T, Bleuel D: Implications of neutron beam and boron compound characteristics. Med Phys 26: 1237–1244, 1999
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Harling, O.K., Riley, K.J. Fission reactor neutron sources for neutron capture therapy — a critical review. J Neuro-Oncol 62, 7–17 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02699930
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02699930