Present status of Accelerator-Based BNCT #MMPMID26933390
Kreiner AJ; Bergueiro J; Cartelli D; Baldo M; Castell W; Asoia JG; Padulo J; Suárez Sandín JC; Igarzabal M; Erhardt J; Mercuri D; Valda AA; Minsky DM; Debray ME; Somacal HR; Capoulat ME; Herrera MS; del Grosso MF; Gagetti L; Anzorena MS; Canepa N; Real N; Gun M; Tacca H
Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2016[Mar]; 21 (2): 95-101 PMID26933390show ga
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 MeV bombarding energy to have a sufficient yield, while 9Be(d,n)10B can be utilized at about 1.4 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 MeV, with a thin target has been shown to be a realistic option for the treatment of deep-seated lesions.
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Rep+Pract+Oncol+Radiother 2016 ; 21 (2): 95-101
