Zhang Tanglong, Zhang Pengcheng, Zhang Huanyu, Zhang Zhuoya, Ran Juntao
Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2025 Aug 25. doi: 10.1177/10849785251370873.
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a precision binary radiotherapy. In this modality, thermal neutrons combine with 10B to induce a nuclear reaction that kills tumor cells. Its therapeutic efficacy depends on the targeted accumulation of boron delivery agents. BNCT has demonstrated clinical efficacy in treating head and neck cancers and recurrent gliomas. However, there is limited evidence regarding its application in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This review systematically examines recent advances in novel boron carriers. It also assesses the potential of BNCT for treating HCC and aims to provide a new therapeutic option for HCC. We used a systematic research approach to investigate the latest advances in novel boron carrier development. We also analyzed existing clinical data related to BNCT treatment for HCC. We aimed to systematically assess the feasibility and potential of applying BNCT to HCC. Newly designed boron carriers show significantly enhanced targeted aggregation within tumor cells and reduced systemic toxicity compared to traditional carriers. Preliminary clinical studies have confirmed the potential efficacy of BNCT in inhibiting HCC growth. Notably, BNCT possesses the unique advantage of precise tumor targeting, which shows promising potential in minimizing damage to surrounding normal liver tissue. The progress made in the development of boron carriers has built a solid foundation for improving the efficacy and safety of BNCT treatment for HCC. By addressing current limitations in boron delivery and clinical evidence, BNCT has the potential to complement existing treatment modalities, improve outcomes for HCC patients, and provide new directions for the clinical treatment of HCC.
硼中子俘获疗法（BNCT）是一种精确的二元放射疗法。在这种治疗方式中，热中子与硼-10结合引发核反应，从而杀死肿瘤细胞。其治疗效果取决于硼递送剂的靶向性积累。BNCT在治疗头颈癌和复发性神经胶质瘤方面已显示出临床疗效。然而，关于其在肝细胞癌（HCC）中的应用证据有限。本综述系统地研究了新型硼载体的最新进展。还评估了BNCT治疗HCC的潜力，旨在为HCC提供一种新的治疗选择。我们采用系统的研究方法来调查新型硼载体开发的最新进展。我们还分析了与BNCT治疗HCC相关的现有临床数据。我们旨在系统地评估将BNCT应用于HCC的可行性和潜力。与传统载体相比，新设计的硼载体在肿瘤细胞内的靶向聚集显著增强，全身毒性降低。初步临床研究已证实BNCT在抑制HCC生长方面的潜在疗效。值得注意的是，BNCT具有精确肿瘤靶向的独特优势，在将对周围正常肝组织的损伤降至最低方面显示出有前景的潜力。硼载体开发取得的进展为提高BNCT治疗HCC的疗效和安全性奠定了坚实基础。通过解决当前硼递送和临床证据方面的局限性，BNCT有可能补充现有治疗方式，改善HCC患者的治疗效果，并为HCC的临床治疗提供新方向。
