• Adult recurrent malignant brain tumors
• Pediatric recurrent malignant brain tumors

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is an advanced radiotherapy modality with high tumor selectivity. The principle of BNCT involves the preferential accumulation of boron-containing compounds within tumor cells, followed by irradiation with low-energy neutrons. When boron-10 captures a neutron, a nuclear reaction occurs, producing high linear energy transfer (LET) alpha particles and lithium nuclei. These particles deposit a large amount of energy over an extremely short range, effectively destroying tumor cells while substantially reducing radiation damage to surrounding normal tissues.
In Taiwan, BNCT development began with research reactor–based systems, leading to the accumulation of extensive clinical experience and pharmacokinetic data. Currently, Taipei Veterans General Hospital is leading the transition toward accelerator-based BNCT (AB-BNCT), advancing the technology toward routine clinical application. In Taiwan, BNCT is primarily applied to recurrent or refractory cancers, such as head and neck cancers and brain tumors. By integrating medical physics, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, and engineering technologies, Taiwan’s BNCT program demonstrates the characteristics of precision radiotherapy and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Key Technologies: Reactor-based BNCT (RB-BNCT), neutron beam shaping, boron drug dosimetry and biodistribution assessment, and Monte Carlo dose calculation.
• Distinctive Features: High tumor selectivity, high-LET precision tumor cell killing, and low dose to normal tissues, particularly suitable for recurrent and refractory malignancies.
• Representative Workflow / Innovations: Nuclear imaging–based evaluation of boron uptake → personalized dose planning → single or limited-fraction irradiation → cross-institutional academic–industrial collaboration (hospital–university–industry) to promote clinical translation.