open access
Present status of Accelerator-Based BNCT
open access
Abstract
Aim
This work aims at giving an updated report of the worldwide status of Accelerator-Based BNCT (AB-BNCT).
Background
There is a generalized perception that the availability of accelerators installed in hospitals, as neutron sources, may be crucial for the advancement of BNCT. Accordingly, in recent years a significant effort has started to develop such machines.
Materials and methods
A variety of possible charged-particle induced nuclear reactions and the characteristics of the resulting neutron spectra are discussed along with the worldwide activity in suitable accelerator development.
Results
Endothermic 7Li(p,n)7Be and 9Be(p,n)9B and exothermic 9Be(d,n)10B are compared. In addition to having much better thermo-mechanical properties than Li, Be as a target leads to stable products. This is a significant advantage for a hospital-based facility. 9Be(p,n)9B needs at least 4–5[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]MeV bombarding energy to have a sufficient yield, while 9Be(d,n)10B can be utilized at about 1.4[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]MeV, implying the smallest possible accelerator. This reaction operating with a thin target can produce a sufficiently soft spectrum to be viable for AB-BNCT. The machines considered are electrostatic single ended or tandem accelerators or radiofrequency quadrupoles plus drift tube Linacs.
Conclusions
7Li(p,n)7Be provides one of the best solutions for the production of epithermal neutron beams for deep-seated tumors. However, a Li-based target poses significant technological challenges. Hence, Be has been considered as an alternative target, both in combination with (p,n) and (d,n) reactions. 9Be(d,n)10B at 1.4[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]MeV, with a thin target has been shown to be a realistic option for the treatment of deep-seated lesions.
Abstract
Aim
This work aims at giving an updated report of the worldwide status of Accelerator-Based BNCT (AB-BNCT).
Background
There is a generalized perception that the availability of accelerators installed in hospitals, as neutron sources, may be crucial for the advancement of BNCT. Accordingly, in recent years a significant effort has started to develop such machines.
Materials and methods
A variety of possible charged-particle induced nuclear reactions and the characteristics of the resulting neutron spectra are discussed along with the worldwide activity in suitable accelerator development.
Results
Endothermic 7Li(p,n)7Be and 9Be(p,n)9B and exothermic 9Be(d,n)10B are compared. In addition to having much better thermo-mechanical properties than Li, Be as a target leads to stable products. This is a significant advantage for a hospital-based facility. 9Be(p,n)9B needs at least 4–5[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]MeV bombarding energy to have a sufficient yield, while 9Be(d,n)10B can be utilized at about 1.4[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]MeV, implying the smallest possible accelerator. This reaction operating with a thin target can produce a sufficiently soft spectrum to be viable for AB-BNCT. The machines considered are electrostatic single ended or tandem accelerators or radiofrequency quadrupoles plus drift tube Linacs.
Conclusions
7Li(p,n)7Be provides one of the best solutions for the production of epithermal neutron beams for deep-seated tumors. However, a Li-based target poses significant technological challenges. Hence, Be has been considered as an alternative target, both in combination with (p,n) and (d,n) reactions. 9Be(d,n)10B at 1.4[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]MeV, with a thin target has been shown to be a realistic option for the treatment of deep-seated lesions.
Keywords
Accelerator-Based BNCT; Different nuclear reactions and accelerator types; Worldwide activity
About this articleTitle
Present status of Accelerator-Based BNCT
Journal
Reports of Practical Oncology and Radiotherapy
Issue
Pages
95-101
Published online
2016-03-01
DOI
10.1016/j.rpor.2014.11.004
Bibliographic record
Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2016;21(2):95-101.
Keywords
Accelerator-Based BNCT
Different nuclear reactions and accelerator types
Worldwide activity
Authors
Andres Juan Kreiner
Javier Bergueiro
Daniel Cartelli
Matias Baldo
Walter Castell
Javier Gomez Asoia
Javier Padulo
Juan Carlos Suárez Sandín
Marcelo Igarzabal
Julian Erhardt
Daniel Mercuri
Alejandro A. Valda
Daniel M. Minsky
Mario E. Debray
Hector R. Somacal
María Eugenia Capoulat
María S. Herrera
Mariela F. del Grosso
Leonardo Gagetti
Manuel Suarez Anzorena
Nicolas Canepa
Nicolas Real
Marcelo Gun
Hernán Tacca