(ANSA) – PAVIA, 22 JUN – Cnao, the National Center for Oncological Hadrotherapy of Pavia, the National Institute of Nuclear Physics, the Milan Polytechnic and the University of Pavia have signed a collaboration agreement to develop an experimental therapy that involves the use of neutrons to target the cells of particularly aggressive tumors.
The agreement, lasting 5 years, revolves around the accelerator for the production of neutron beams which will be installed at Cnao in 2024 and will be used to develop the ‘Boron Neutron Capture Therapy’, which consists in irradiating with beams of neutrons tumor cells after having delivered a drug containing an atom of a particular chemical element, the Boron-10. The interaction between neutrons and Boron-10 results in the selective destruction of cancer cells and is expected to be very effective in fighting more complex cancers.
“Until a few years ago – reads a joint statement from the institutes involved – the production of neutrons in quantities sufficient to trigger this process was only possible through nuclear reactors. Recent developments in this field have given birth to the small accelerator. dimensions that will be installed at Cnao and will be unique in Italy “.
Today Cnao is one of the 6 centers in the world capable of using particle beams (carbon ions and protons) to treat inoperable and radio-resistant tumors. “The collaboration between Cnao, Infn, University of Pavia and Politecnico di Milano – continues the note – will focus in particular on the start of the pre-clinical and clinical trials of Bnct and on obtaining the CE marking which certifies that the medical device complies with the essential requirements for patient safety “.
“The collaboration with Infn, Politecnico di Milano and University of Pavia – underlines Gianluca Vago, president of Cnao – will give a further boost to scientific research against cancer. The development of Bnct is part of a broader extension project of Cnao thanks to which our Center in 2024 will be the only one in the world capable of using advanced techniques based on the use of multiple particles, in addition to carbon and protons, neutrons, together with helium and others “.
(ANSA).
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