The 9Be(d,n)10B reaction as a neutron source for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

M.E. CAPOULAT; M.S. HERRERA; D.M. MINSKY; A.J. KREINER

Montevideo

Conferencia; X Latin American Symposium on Nuclear Physics and Applications; 2013

Universidad de la República (uRUGUAY), National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (EE.UU.), Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (EE.UU.)

Presentación oral (M.E. Capoulat)Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a cancer therapy modality underdevelopment worldwide appearing as a promising alternative for diffuse, infiltratingand very radioresistant tumors. The therapy involves the selective accumulation of a10B-carrying compound in tumor tissue followed by irradiation with a beam ofthermal (for superficial tumors) or epithermal (for deep-seated tumors) neutrons.Neutrons are captured by 10B present in tumor cells producing high LET and shortrangeradiation (an α particle and a 7Li ion) that damages the targeted cells withoutharming the surrounding healthy tissue.Several neutron-producing reactions have been thoroughly investigated as potentialneutron sources for BNCT. Among them, the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction is probably theoptimal one from a neutronic point of view. However, the implementation of a 7Litarget constitutes a non-trivial challenge, mainly due to the difficulties related topower dissipation on the target material (which is ~75 kW) and the presence ofresidual 7Be radioactivity. In this context, the 9Be(d,n)10B reaction stands out as apotential alternative. First, metallic Be has more suitable thermal and mechanicalproperties compared to metallic Li, which allows reducing most of the target coolingrequirements. Moreover, there is no residual radioactivity in the 9Be(d,n)10B reaction.Last but not least, the low deuteron energies involved in the 9Be(d,n) reaction (~1.4MeV) imply an advantage concerning voltage requirements, dimensions of theaccelerator and costs compared to the 7Li(p,n) reaction, which requires protonenergies of ~2.3 MeV.In Argentina, a project aimed at the construction of a Tandem ElectrostaticQuadrupole accelerator-based facility for BNCT is currently ongoing. A firstprototype (which is in an advanced development stage) would be capable ofdelivering 30 mA of protons or deuterons of about 1.4 MeV, and it is intended to workin conjunction with the 9Be(d,n)10B reaction. In this context the potential use of the9Be(d,n)10B reaction has been studied both for deep-seated and superficial tumors.Monte-Carlo simulations (including the treatment planning assessment of a realglioblastoma multiforme case) showed that treatment qualities comparable to thoseobtained with the optimal 7Li(p,n)-based neutron source are feasible. These resultsstrengthen the prospects for an operative BNCT facility in the short-term.