Boron neutron capture therapy in the treatment of lung cancer

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a binary treatment based on the atomic interactions between epithermal neutrons and boron-10 isotopes, which can provide a means for specific molecular and cellular targeting of high energy radiation to tumour cells with the concurrent sparing of normal tissue. It has the potential to be the ideal form of treatment for many types of cancers. This paper begins with an overview of BNCT. It then explores the potential of BNCT in the treatment of lung cancer, specifically in the following areas: overcoming complex issues of respiratory motion, treating micrometastatic or diffuse treatment, treating tumours that are adjacent to or have invaded radiosensitive normal tissue, re-irradiation, and hypofractionated treatment. The paper concludes with a summary of the efforts and plans of the international BNCT community to make this treatment a widely adopted one.