Common challenges and problems in clinical trials of boron neutron capture therapy of brain tumors

J Neurooncol. 2003 Mar-Apr;62(1-2):197-210. doi: 10.1007/BF02699945.

Abstract

Clinical trials for binary therapies, like boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), pose a number of unique problems and challenges in design, performance, and interpretation of results. In neutron beam development, different groups use different optimization parameters, resulting in beams being considerably different from each other. The design, development, testing, execution of patient pharmacokinetics and the evaluation of results from these studies differ widely. Finally, the clinical trials involving patient treatments vary in many aspects such as their dose escalation strategies, treatment planning methodologies, and the reporting of data. The implications of these differences in the data accrued from these trials are discussed. The BNCT community needs to standardize each aspect of the design, implementation, and reporting of clinical trials so that the data can be used meaningfully.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Boron Compounds / blood
  • Boron Compounds / pharmacokinetics*
  • Boron Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Boron Neutron Capture Therapy* / instrumentation
  • Boron Neutron Capture Therapy* / methods
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Neutrons / therapeutic use
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted
  • Research Design

Substances

  • Boron Compounds