STRATEGIC-PLANNING WORKSHOP ON RESEARCH NEEDS FOR NEUTRON-CAPTURE THERAPY

The workshop 'Research Needs for Neutron Capture Therapy', held in Wil liamsburg, VA, May 9-12, 1995 addressed key issues and questions relat ed to optimization of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), in general , and to the possibility of success of the present BNCT trials at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and Massachusetts Institute of Te chnology (MIT), in particular. Both trials use nuclear fission reactor s as neutron sources for BNCT of glioblastoma multiforme (BNL) and of deep seated melanoma (MIT). Presentations and discussions focussed on optimal boron-labeled compounds, mainly for brain tumors such as gliob lastoma multiforme, and the best mode of compound delivery to the tumo r. Also, optimizing neutron irradiation with dose delivery to the tumo r cells and the issues of dosimetry of BNCT especially in the brain we re discussed. Planning of treatment and of follow-up of patients, coor dination of BNCT at various treatment sites, and the potential of deli very BNCT to various types of cancer with an appropriately tailored pr otocol were additional issues. The need for multicentric interdiscipli nary cooperation among the different medical specialties was highlight ed.