 |
|
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a cancer ther?apy where cancer cells are damaged by using neutron irradiation and boron compounds, which are selectively gathered in cancer cells. We developed an accelerator-based neutron source that utilizes the cyclotron as a neutron source, in cooperation with Kyoto University. Our cyclotron, which is newly developed as a neutron source, achieves a stable acceleration of protons to 30MeV at a current of 1.1mA. The proton beam produced in the cyclotron is transported to the beryllium target to generate neutrons. The neutrons are decelerated by the moderator and their energy levels fall within the energy range of the epithermal region. Characteristics of the neutrons were measured with water phantom, and the peak of the thermal neutron flux in the water phantom reached 1.8X109neutrons/cm2/s per‚PmA of proton beam. By using this neutron beam, safety and effectiveness tests have been performed to realize the cancer therapy by BNCT with the accelerator based neutron source.
|
|
