Boron Neutron Capture Therapy in the Treatment of Locally Recurred Head and Neck Cancer

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.03.039· OSTI ID:21036250

Kankaanranta, Leena ^[1]; Seppaelae, Tiina; Koivunoro, Hanna ^[2]; Saarilahti, Kauko ^[1]; Atula, Timo ^[3]; Collan, Juhani ^[1]; Salli, Eero; Kortesniemi, Mika ^[4]; Uusi-Simola, Jouni ^[2]; Maekitie, Antti ^[3]; Seppaenen, Marko ^[5]; Minn, Heikki ^[6]; Kotiluoto, Petri; Auterinen, Iiro ^[7]; Savolainen, Sauli ^[2]; Kouri, Mauri ^[1]; Joensuu, Heikki ^[1]

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1. Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki (Finland)
2. Department of Physical Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki (Finland)
3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki (Finland)
4. HUS Medical Imaging Center, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki (Finland)
5. Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Turku (Finland)
6. Department of Oncology, Turku University Hospital, Turku (Finland)
7. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo (Finland)

Purpose: Head and neck carcinomas that recur locally after conventional irradiation pose a difficult therapeutic problem. We evaluated safety and efficacy of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in the treatment of such cancers. Methods and Materials: Twelve patients with inoperable, recurred, locally advanced (rT3, rT4, or rN2) head and neck cancer were treated with BNCT in a prospective, single-center Phase I-II study. Prior treatments consisted of surgery and conventionally fractionated photon irradiation to a cumulative dose of 56-74 Gy administered with or without concomitant chemotherapy. Tumor responses were assessed using the RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) criteria and adverse effects using the National Cancer Institute common toxicity grading v3.0. Intravenously administered boronophenylalanine-fructose (BPA-F, 400 mg/kg) was used as the boron carrier. Each patient was scheduled to be treated twice with BNCT. Results: Ten patients received BNCT twice; 2 were treated once. Ten (83%) patients responded to BNCT, and 2 (17%) had tumor growth stabilization for 5.5 and 7.6 months. The median duration of response was 12.1 months; six responses were ongoing at the time of analysis or death (range, 4.9-19.2 months). Four (33%) patients were alive without recurrence with a median follow-up of 14.0 months (range, 12.8-19.2 months). The most common acute adverse effects were mucositis, fatigue, and local pain; 2 patients had a severe (Grade 3) late adverse effect (xerostomia, 1; dysphagia, 1). Conclusions: Boron neutron capture therapy is effective and safe in the treatment of inoperable, locally advanced head and neck carcinomas that recur at previously irradiated sites.

• OSTI ID: 21036250
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 69, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.03.039; PII: S0360-3016(07)00555-X; Copyright (c) 2007 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BORON
CARCINOMAS
CHEMOTHERAPY
FATIGUE
FRUCTOSE
HEAD
IRRADIATION
NECK
NEUTRON CAPTURE THERAPY
PAIN
PATIENTS
POSITRON COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
RADIATION DOSES
SURGERY
TOXICITY