HUS

BNCT treatments for cancer patients have started as part of a clinical trial

16.5.2025 07:55:00 EEST | HUS | Press release

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HUS has introduced the first in-hospital boron neutron capture therapy accelerator in Western countries. Boron neutron capture therapy, BNCT for short, is a radiation therapy method that can destroy cancer cells while sparing the surrounding tissue.

Before the neutron irradiation, the patient is administered a boron delivery agent intravenously. The delivery agent transports the boron into the cancer cell. At the top in in the image is the particle accelerator which produces a proton shower, in the middle is the target, which turns protons into neutrons, and on the bottom is the treatment room where the neutrons are targeted toward the patient’s tumor. The treatment room is also equipped with a CT scanner to ensure the patient's correct position before the treatment.
Before the neutron irradiation, the patient is administered a boron delivery agent intravenously. The delivery agent transports the boron into the cancer cell. At the top in in the image is the particle accelerator which produces a proton shower, in the middle is the target, which turns protons into neutrons, and on the bottom is the treatment room where the neutrons are targeted toward the patient’s tumor. The treatment room is also equipped with a CT scanner to ensure the patient's correct position before the treatment. Vesa Sammalisto HUS

The first cancer patients received treatment with BNCT at Comprehensive Cancer Center in May as part of a study. 

The launch of the treatments at HUS Comprehensive Cancer Center was made possible through a multi-year collaborative effort with the North American company Neutron Therapeutics. The Comprehensive Cancer Center was chosen as a partner because of the high quality of scientific BNCT research carried out at the center since 1992. 

“The first BNCT center in Western countries presents a unique opportunity to develop this promising treatment method in close collaboration with Finnish and international research groups and offer cancer patients the chance to participate in various clinical trials,” says Johanna Mattson, Director of HUS Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Proton%20accelerator
Proton accelerator Mikko Hinkkanen HUS

Neutron capture therapy is targeted radiotherapy that spares the surrounding tissue 

Boron neutron capture therapy, BNCT for short, is a type of targeted radiotherapy based on the decay reaction that occurs in boron atom nuclei delivered to the cancerous tumor when it is irradiated with neutrons. 

Before the neutron irradiation, the patient is administered a boron delivery agent intravenously. The delivery agent accumulates in the cancer cells and delivers the boron inside the cells. 

When the tumor area is irradiated with neutrons, it results in a very high local dose of radiation therapy in the cancer cells that contain boron. 

“Short-range radiation effectively destroys the cancer cells while sparing the surrounding tissue. This requires fewer treatments than traditional radiation therapy, only one or two,” says Chief Medical Physicist Mikko Tenhunen from HUS Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Treatment%20room
Treatment room Mikko Hinkkanen HUS

The efficacy and safety of BNCT is being investigated in a clinical trial 

A study was started at the Comprehensive Cancer Center to treat ten patients who have recurrent cancer in the head and neck area. The study assesses the safety and efficacy of BNCT. 

“The goal is to extend the research program to other cancers in the future. Developing BNCT as a treatment also involves combining it with different cancer drugs and researching potential new boron delivery agents,” says Anu Anttonen, chief physician responsible for radiation therapy at HUS Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

The media is welcome to visit the BNCT center on May 16 between noon and 1 p.m. Director Johanna Mattson and Chief Medical Physicist Mikko Tenhonen from HUS Comprehensive Cancer Center will be there for interviews. Please register by email viestinta@hus.fi or by telephone 050 427 2875. 

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Treatment room
Treatment room
Mikko Hinkkanen HUS
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Proton accelerator
Proton accelerator
Mikko Hinkkanen HUS
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Before the neutron irradiation, the patient is administered a boron delivery agent intravenously. The delivery agent transports the boron into the cancer cell. At the top in in the image is the particle accelerator which produces a proton shower, in the middle is the target, which turns protons into neutrons, and on the bottom is the treatment room where the neutrons are targeted toward the patient’s tumor. The treatment room is also equipped with a CT scanner to ensure the patient's correct position before the treatment.
Before the neutron irradiation, the patient is administered a boron delivery agent intravenously. The delivery agent transports the boron into the cancer cell. At the top in in the image is the particle accelerator which produces a proton shower, in the middle is the target, which turns protons into neutrons, and on the bottom is the treatment room where the neutrons are targeted toward the patient’s tumor. The treatment room is also equipped with a CT scanner to ensure the patient's correct position before the treatment.
Vesa Sammalisto HUS
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About HUS

HUS Helsinki University Hospital is the biggest provider of specialized healthcare in Finland. Our high expertise is internationally recognized and accredited. As a university hospital, we are on the cutting edge of developing and evaluating our treatment methods and activities. 

HUS treats almost 700,000 patients every year. Our more than 27,000 professionals work to provide the best possible care for our patients. We are responsible for organizing specialized health care in the Uusimaa region. The treatment of many rare and difficult diseases in Finland has been centralized to HUS as well.

HUS – Leading healthcare 

The HUS media service is available for the media Mon–Thu 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Fri 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., tel. 050 427 2875, or via e-mail: viestinta@hus.fi.

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