Boron Neutron Capture (BNZT)

2025: Use in China: Treating 60 Patients

In November 2025 China , the course of treatment of more than 60 patients with cancer using the Russian boron-neutron capture therapy (BNZT) was completed. The installation was developed G.I. Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics at the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (INF SO) RAS in. Novosibirsk

According to Medvestnik, boron-neutron capture therapy is a high-tech method of combating malignant tumors. The patient is injected with a special drug containing boron, which accumulates in cancer cells. Thereafter, the tumor region is irradiated with a neutron flux. Boron nuclei capture neutrons, and the resulting energy destroys the cancer cell from within, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

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Фото: Freepik

Medvestnik reports that the effectiveness of boron-neutron capture therapy against brain tumors and other types of cancer that are poorly amenable to traditional therapy has been experimentally proven. Specialists of the INF SB RAS also created a Russian technology for diagnosing a beam of charged particles to control radiation, which eliminated the need to purchase similar equipment abroad.

Deputy Director of the INF SB RAS Pavel Bagryansky said that the installation is designed to achieve the maximum concentration of epithermal neutrons, which increases the accuracy and safety of treatment.

Marina Bikchurina, a senior researcher at the INF SB RAS, clarified that the second BNZT installation was delivered to the National Medical Research Center named after N. N. Blokhin in Moscow. According to her, the specialists of the institution are engaged in its commissioning. Bikchurina said clinical studies are expected to be conducted at this facility in 2026.^[1][2]

2024: Completion of construction

In the summer of 2024, the first Russian neutron accelerator source for boron-neutron capture therapy (BNZT) was built. This event opens up new horizons in the fight against intractable tumors, especially in cases where traditional methods are ineffective.

The project was implemented on behalf of the Russian government and became possible thanks to the efforts of scientists from the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the SB RAS. Boron-neutron capture therapy is based on the use of the isotope boron-10, which accumulates in tumor cells and, when exposed to neutrons, destroys malignant formations. This method does not require surgery and is characterized by high accuracy of action on tumor cells, preserving healthy tissues. According to experts, this technology has great potential in the treatment of complex forms of cancer.

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Фото: inp.nsk.su

According to the director of the Institute of Nuclear Physics named after Budker of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Pavel Logachev, in the fall of 2024 the device will be sent to the Federal State Budgetary Institution "N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology" of the Ministry of Health of Russia for use in the treatment of complex oncological diseases.

Successful preclinical tests on animals have already been carried out on the created accelerator. As part of these experiments, scientists treated 25 dogs and cats suffering from advanced cancer with metastatic lesions. The results showed that boron-neutron capture therapy is able to ensure multi-month survival of patients, which confirms its effectiveness and high reliability. The technology is expected to be introduced into clinical practice in the coming years, providing oncologists with a new tool to fight cancer.

In addition, the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the SB RAS continues to work on other important projects. In particular, Pavel Logachev reported on the progress of creating unique equipment for the Center for Collective Use "Siberian Ring Photon Source" (TsKP "SKIF"). This project is also being implemented with the participation of enterprises in various regions of Russia, such as Tomsk, Izhevsk, Berdsk and Vologda.^[3]

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