RayStation Pioneers BNCT Treatment in Europe at Helsinki University Hospital
RayStation Pioneers BNCT Treatment in Europe
In a groundbreaking development within cancer treatment, RaySearch Laboratories AB has successfully utilized its advanced treatment planning system, RayStation®, in initiating the first-ever accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) clinical treatments in Europe, specifically at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
Transformational Support for BNCT
RayStation plays a pivotal role in streamlining the BNCT planning process by providing an intricate suite of tools capable of patient modeling, plan setup, and plan evaluation. This system is meticulously adapted for seamless integration with Neutron Therapeutics' specialized machinery, ensuring a top-tier, customized approach for each patient’s therapeutic needs. The recent treatment is a testament to RayStation’s flexibility, which has been clinically validated across healthcare environments in both Japan and Finland.
The BNCT’s unique requirement for precise dose localization is fulfilled by RayStation's unmatched adaptability, critical for the success of such intricate therapies. This new method of treatment offers renewed hope for patients suffering from difficult-to-treat tumors.
Successful Clinical Trials in Action
The success of these pioneering treatments was made possible through Neutron Therapeutics' nuBeam® Suite, which amalgamates a neutron source, imaging technology, positioning tools, and treatment planning capabilities all consolidated through the RayStation platform. This facility, holding over 30 years of expertise in BNCT, marks a notable shift in the European oncological landscape as the first of its kind in deployment.
The patients treated at this clinical trial are part of an ongoing effort to validate the safety and effectiveness of BNCT for individuals battling inoperable, locally recurrent head and neck cancer, promising innovative therapeutic avenues.
Expert Opinions on the Breakthrough
Mikko Tenhunen, Chief Medical Physicist and Head of Division at the Comprehensive Cancer Center, expressed optimism regarding BNCT's potential, noting, "This therapy represents a significant evolution in treatment options for challenging tumor types. The capability to administer image-guided, 3D planned therapies firsthand reinforces our commitment to patient care."
In corroboration, Noah Smick, President and COO of Neutron Therapeutics, highlighted the importance of the collaboration with RaySearch,