$^7$Be and $^{22}$Na radionuclides for a new therapy of cancer

TL;DR

This paper proposes using $^7$Be and $^{22}$Na radionuclides in neutron-capture radiation therapy, offering higher absorption cross sections and improved imaging for safer, more effective cancer treatment.

Contribution

It introduces two new radionuclides for NCT with larger neutron absorption cross sections and potential for better imaging and reduced treatment doses.

Findings

$^7$Be and $^{22}$Na have ~10 times larger neutron absorption cross sections.

Detection of gamma radiation enables imaging and control of radionuclide accumulation.

Potential to lower required radionuclide concentration and neutron flux in therapy.

Abstract

The $^{10}$B isotope has been almost exclusively used in the neutron-capture radiation therapy (NCT) of cancer for decades. We have identified two other nuclides suitable for the radiotherapy, which have ca.10 times larger cross section of absorption for neutrons and emit heavy charged particles. This would provide several key advantages for potential NCT, such as the possibility to use either a lower nuclide concentration in the target tissues, or a lower neutron irradiation flux. By detecting the characteristic $\gamma$ radiation from the spontaneous decay of the radionuclides, one can image and control their accumulation. These advantages could be critical for the revival of the NCT as a safer, more efficient and more widely used cancer therapy.