Does anyone in this forum know of a location within the US that is performing BNCT on prostate cancer patients on a routine or clinically applied basis with particular attention to bone metastasis? If you do, please provide Radiology center that is doing this and contact information.
Thanks to All,
PCSurvivor39
I've never seen this for prostate cancer. It sounds like they inject boron 10 into the tumor and then direct a beam of neutrons at it. Only the neutrons that are slowed by the boron will generate radioactive particles that can kill the cancer. Ideally, the rest won't interact with tissue. It sounds interesting. Have they ever used it with bone mets?
Actually, from what I have read, boron has a affinity for PCa cells and I think in animal studies the boron was given orally and when the neutrons reach those cells, the boron is activated releasing energy and other compounds, killing the PCa cells and leaving healthy tissue untouched. If you become aware of any facilities that are using this radiotherapy technique for PCa let me know.
PCSurvivor39
Boron compounds, taken orally, accumulate in bone, so I don't see how it can be used in this way. The destruction of healthy bone tissue would be fatal.
There is some work being done with accelerators to provide the neutrons rather than a nuclear reactor which until recently has been the only source. I understand that it is being used for Head and Neck cancer and Lung cancer. Boron compounds seems to have an affinity for PCa cells based on earlier work done at the U. of Missouri. I have not contacted them directly as yet. If anyone knows of any other location that may be using this for prostate cancer please let me know.
PCSurvivor39
Can you say more as Tall_Allen has asked. I'm interested in boron. Can someone explain what is the effect of the boron supposed to do interacting with the neutrons.
Also, adding to Tall_Allen, I'm interested because we are about to make decisions on radiation to mets to the pelvic bone and a spot on the sacrum. Although we suspect a slight fracture that has to be clarified on the sacrum. We have a lot of homework to do on this. Thanks
My understanding is that from epidemiology studies men with the highest boron content in their diet have a 54% lower risk of developing PC. Animal studies have shown that oral administration of Boron in the 3-6 mg. range reduced tumor size and PSA . Another study (Cell Study) showed the ability of boron to inhibit PSMA or prostate specific membrane antigen. Other studies have shown that Boron disrupted the normal organization of prostate cancer cells actin filaments and showed other cytotoxic or cell-killing effects such as reduction of telomerase activity in the cancer cells. But that is just dietary boron. I am interested in boron neutron capture therapy or BCNT as it sounds like an effective treatment modality with little side effects. Hence, I am looking for facilities that might provide this type of treatment. I have no further information at this time.
PCSurvivor39
Thank you for the information you provided. I am grateful you did the footwork on this. It helps a lot.
As I just scrolled down after reading the above post, I see your response to Tall_Allen. When you say that boron has an affinity for PCa cells.. and this is how the neurons work with it, would you be kind enough to clarify-
If that statement is true, isn't it counter to men with higher boron content in their diet have a 54% risk of developing Pc. Plus once diagnosed with PCa tumors boran can possibly reduce tumor size.
I believe my misunderstanding is- affinity for PC and also lowering risk or tumor load. Thanks ... I'm learning. I'm trying to understand any thread that can help my husband. We then take the information, do our own work on it.. discuss with our doctors and then decide. Thank you .
The boron would be injected directly into the tumor for the sole purpose of absorbing the neutrons. It is irrelevant whatever property some boron compounds might or might not have in promoting or destroying prostate cancer. When the neutrons get absorbed by the intratumoral boron, it generates alpha particles and Lithium -7 ions, both of which kill cancer cells by double-strand breaks.
I don't know of anyone working on this for bone mets. However, Ac-225-PSMA-617 (an alpha particle generator that attaches to the PSMA on the prostate cancer) has the advantage that it is not specific to one metastasis at a time -- why not get them all, including those that are too small to see?
Thank you for your explanation and Ac-225. I will look into that..
They actually can use portable linear accelerators to generate the neutrons. Most neutrons do not interact with tissue but boron uniquely absorbs neutrons (boron is used in nuclear reactors to adjust the neutron flux so the thermonuclear reaction is controlled rather than explosive).
Guys, please use the correct terminology if possible... there is NO thermonuclear controlled reaction in laboratory or production scale till now... (a part inside the stars of course... ; @ Tall_Allen, if you have one, tell you government that they will be very happy and you will be very likely dead or.... very reach). Perhaps you mean FISSION instead?
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