Boneca has a BNCT research program for malignant brain tumors and head & neck cancers. The ongoing clinical trials include phase I/II studies for

1. newly diagnosed glioblastoma that has not been treated with conventional radiation therapy
2. glioblastoma or anaplastic astrocytoma that has recurred following conventional radiation therapy, and
3. for locally recurred, inoperable head & neck carcinoma.

The above trials have been registered and can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

More than 350 patients suffering from malignant brain tumors (mainly glioblastomas) worldwide have been treated with BNCT. The results achieved with BNCT in non-randomized studies compare favorably with those obtained with conventional external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) based on published data.

Published data from the Finnish phase I/II BNCT-trials (primary and recurrent glioblastoma) is showing that the treatment is generally well tolerated, even when treating patients with recurred tumors after conventional EBRT (see references below).

We are continuing the treatments of newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients with the highest boron dose in our protocol to collect more data. We are also looking for further improvement of efficacy by escalating the boron dose in recurrent glioblastoma patients.

BNCT of recurred head and neck cancer is a promising new option for the treatment of these tumors. So far only a few patients with recurred head and neck cancer have been treated with BNCT, but experiences from both Finnish and Japanese BNCT-centers show similarly a remarkable shrinkage of the extensive tumors treated.

This kind of response is rarely seen with any other currently available treatment.

References:

Joensuu H, Kankaanranta L, Seppälä T, et al. Boron neutron capture therapy of brain tumors: clinical trials at the finnish facility using boronophenylalanine. J Neuro-oncol. 2003 Mar-Apr;62(1-2):123-34)

Kouri M, Kankaanranta L, Seppälä T, et al. Undifferentiated sinonasal carcinoma may respond to single-fraction boron neutron capture therapy. Radiother Oncol. 2004 Jul;72(1):83-5. Kato I, Ono K, Sakurai Y, et al. Effectiveness of BNCT for recurrent head and neck malignancies. Appl Radiat Isot. 2004 Nov;61(5):1069-73

Interested in Research Collaboration?

We are looking for research collaborators who are interested in referring patients to the ongoing clinical trials on recurred head and neck carcinoma.

If you are interested in such collaboration, please contact us at info@boneca.fi.