Next generation of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) agents for cancer treatment

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is one of the most promising treatments among neutron capture therapies due to its long-term clinical application and unequivocally obtained success during clinical trials. Boron drug and neutron play an equivalent crucial role in BNCT. Nevertheless, current clinically used l-boronophenylalanine (BPA) and sodium borocaptate (BSH) suffer from large uptake dose and low blood to tumor selectivity, and that initiated overwhelm screening of next generation of BNCT agents. Various boron agents, such as small molecules and macro/nano-vehicles, have been explored with better success. In this featured article, different types of agents are rationally analyzed and compared, and the feasible targets are shared to present a perspective view for the future of BNCT in cancer treatment. This review aims at summarizing the current knowledge of a variety of boron compounds, reported recently, for the application of BCNT.

Automated summary

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a promising treatment method in cancer therapy. The currently used boron compounds, l-boronophenylalanine (BPA) and sodium borocaptate (BSH), have their limitations and there is a need for next generation BNCT agents. Various boron compounds, including small molecules and macro/nano-vehicles, have been explored and have shown better success. This review summarizes the current knowledge of different boron compounds for BNCT application and provides a perspective for the future of BNCT in cancer treatment.