Abstract
Initial clinical trials of Neutron Capture Therapy (NCT) in the United States were unsuccessful. Lack of success has been attributed to two causes: (1) absence of selective localization of boron in tumor cells, and (2) poor penetration in tissue of the thermal-neutron beams used. Since then, improved compounds have been developed which can be selectively targeted to tumor [1–3]. In addition, improvements have been made in neutron delivery. At a workshop on neutron sources for NCT held in 1986, it was recommended that current technology be utilized to produce pure epithermal-neutron beams for NCT. These would provide the increased penetration in tissue required for improved therapy. The study group on neutron beams recommended that these beams should have an epithermal-neutron flux density of ~1×109 n/cm2-s (or more) to enable application of therapy within ~1 hour (or less) [4].
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Proc. Workshop on Boron Compounds Suitable for Neutron Capture Therapy for the Treatment of Cancer, Sponsored by Rad. Res. Program, Div. of Cancer Treatment, NCI, Bethesda, MD; Held at Annapolis, MD (May 1988).
Proc. Third Inn. Symp. on Neutron Capture Therapy, Strahlenther. Onkol., D. Gabel, ed., 165(2/3):5–257 (1989).
Proc. 1988 Workshop on Clinical Aspects of Neutron Capture Therapy, R. G. Fairchild, V. P. Bond, and A. D. Woodhead, eds., Basic Life Sciences Series, Vol. 50, Plenum Press, New York (1989).
Proc. U.S. Dept. of Energy 1986 Workshop on Neutron Capture Therapy, R. G. Fairchild and V. P. Bond, eds., Brookhaven National Laboratory, BNL-51994 (1987).
J. B. Godel, “Description of Facilities and Mechanical Components, Medical Research Reactor (MRR),” Brookhaven National Laboratory, BNL-600 (T-173) (1960).
R. G. Fairchild, J. Kalef-Ezra, S. Fiarman, and F. Wheeler, “Physics Aspects of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy: Epithermal Neutron Beam Optimization,” in Proc. 1988 ANS Int. Reactor Physics Conf., Jackson Hole, WY, Vol. II, p. 2–423 (Sept. 1988).
R. G. Fairchild, J. A. Kalef-Ezra, S. Fiarman, L. Wielopolski, J. Hanz, S. Mussolino, and F. Wheeler, “Optimization of an Epithermal Neutron Beam for NCT at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor (BMRR),” Strahlenther. Onkol., 165 (2/3): 84 (1989).
F. J. Wheeler, D. K. Parsons, D. W. Nigg, D. E. Wessol, L. G. Miller and R. G. Fairchild, “Physics Design for the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor Epithermal Neutron Source.” (These Proceedings.)
R. G. Fairchild, “Development and Dosimetry of an ‘Epithermal’ Neutron Beam for Possible Use in Neutron Capture Therapy. I: ‘Epithermal’ Neutron Beam Development,” Phys. Med. Biol., 10 (4): 491 (1965).
R. G. Fairchild and J. L. Goodman, “Development and Dosimetry of an ‘Epithermal’ Neutron Beam for Possible Use in Neutron Capture Therapy. II: Absorbed Dose Measurements in a Phantom Man,” Phys. Med. Biol., 11: 15 (1966).
S. K. Saraf, J. Kalef-Ezra, R. G. Fairchild, B. H. Laster, S. Fiarman, and E. Ramsey, “Epithermal Beam Development at the BMRR: Dosimetric Evaluation.” (These Proceedings.)
C. A. Perks, A. J. Mill, G. Constantine, K. C. Harrison, and J. A. B. Gibson, “A Review of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) and the Design and Dosimetry of a High Intensity, 24 keV, Neutron Beam for BNCT Research,” Brit. J. Radiol., 61: 11–15 (1988).
“Protection Against Neutron Radiation,” U.S.N.B.S. Handbook 63 (1965).
R. C. Greenwood, “The Design of Filtered Epithermal Neutron Beams for BNCT,” in Proc. U.S. Dept. of Energy 1986 Workshop on Neutron Capture Therapy, R. G. Fairchild and V. P. Bond, eds., Brookhaven National Laboratory, BNL-51994, p. 123 (1987).
G. C. Finkel, C. E. Poletti, R. G. Fairchild, D. N. Slatkin, and W. H. Sweet, “Distribution of ‘OB after Infusion of Na210B 12H11SH into a Patient with Malignant Astrocytoma: Implications for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy,” Neurosurgery, 24: 6 (1989).
W. H. Sweet, J. R. Messer, and H. Hatanaka, “Supplementary Pharmacological Study Between 1972 and 1977 on Purified Mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate,” in Boron-Neutron Capture Therapy for Tumors, H. Hatanaka, ed., Nishimura Co., Ltd., Niigata, Japan, p. 59 (1986).
D. N. Slatldn, D. D. Joel, R. G. Fairchild, P. L. Micca, M. M. Nawrocky, B. H. Laster, J. A. Coderre, G. C. Finkel, C. E. Poletti, and W. H. Sweet, “Distributions of Sulfhydryl Borane Monomer and Dimer in Rodents and Monomer in Humans: Boron Neutron Capture Therapy of Melanoma and Glioma in Boronated Rodents,” in Proc. 1988 Workshop on Clinical Aspects of Neutron Capture Therapy, R. G. Fairchild, V. P. Bond, and A. D. Woodhead, eds., Basic Life Sciences Series, Vol. 50, Plenum Press, New York, p. 179 (1989).
R. G. Fairchild, D. N. Slatkin, J. Coderre, P. Micca, B. Laster, S. B. Kahl, P. Som, I. Fand, and F. Wheeler, “Optimization of Boron and Neutron Delivery for Neutron Capture Therapy (NCT),” Pigment Cell Research, 2: 309 (1989).
F. J. Wheeler, “Neutron Flux Calculations for Head Phantom,” Internal Memo, Whlr-22–87 (1987).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1990 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Fairchild, R.G. et al. (1990). Installation and Testing of an Optimized Epithermal Neutron Beam at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor (BMRR). In: Harling, O.K., Bernard, J.A., Zamenhof, R.G. (eds) Neutron Beam Design, Development, and Performance for Neutron Capture Therapy. Basic Life Sciences, vol 54. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5802-2_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5802-2_14
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-5804-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-5802-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive