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The number of clinical trials conducted for cancer research using JAEA�s reactor is over one hundred.
� Contributions to advanced cancer therapy taking advantage of nuclear reactor technologies �
Feb. 16, 2007
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA; Toshio Okazaki, President) contributes to clinical research for the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) using research reactors. BNCT is one of the cancer therapies and it is performed by medical groups such as Tsukuba University. The clinical trials exceeded 100 cases in January, 2007.
BNCT is a kind of radiation therapy with neutrons which can selectively destroy cancer cells . It has gained prominence as a therapy for malignant brain tumors, for which effective treatment has not yet been developed.
The clinical trials of BNCT performed by JAEA for malignant brain tumors were conducted using JRR-2 and JRR-3. Regarding the irradiation, only slow speed neutrons were employed and the target region was limited to tumors on the brain surface. Then, a neutron beam facility in JRR-4 which can generate higher-energy neutrons was installed during modification of the reactor. This neutron beam facility enabled clinical groups to perform clinical trials for tumors in deep parts of the brain as well as on the brain surface. Moreover, the computational dosimetry software (JCDS) which can accurately evaluate doses given to a patient by neutron irradiation was developed. As a result, an optimum irradiation condition for a patient can be defined in advance according to calculations carried out by JCDS.
The development of equipment such as the neutron beam facility and software led to clinical research for brain tumors in deeper regions. These technologies were improved recently so that they could be applied to irradiations for not only malignant brain tumors but also head and neck, lung and skin cancers. In this regard, clinical research for other cancers were began in JRR-4.
The number of clinical trials has been increasing rapidly thanks to R&D performed using BNCT ,taking advantage of research reactors in JAEA in collaboration with several medical research institutes.
JAEA will continuously contribute to the establishment of advanced cancer therapies in coalition with medical institutes such as Tsukuba University and regional hospitals in order to promote the application of nuclear technologies to medical fields.
•Annex1 Present State of BNCT Clinical Trial (PDF)
•Annex2 The JRR-4 Neutron Beam Facility (PDF)
•Annex3 What is the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) ? (PDF)
•Annex4 Treatment Planning Software (PDF)
•Annex5 Work Sharing in Research & Development for BNCT (PDF)
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Location of environment monitoring posts measuring amount of
radiation. (details)
International link directory of related websites.
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