Next-Generation Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) for Cancer Treatment

Dear Colleagues,

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) has re-emerged as a promising modality in cancer treatment, offering unique biological selectivity through boron-loaded compounds and targeted neutron irradiation. Recent advances in boron agent development and precise dosimetry and the establishment of accelerator-based neutron sources have opened up new clinical and technological frontiers. In parallel, innovations in detector systems and imaging, as well as in computational modeling and treatment planning, have reinforced the role of BNCT in modern oncology. With clinical trials progressing worldwide and national centers becoming operational, there is a growing need to consolidate knowledge and share multidisciplinary advances in this dynamic field.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue dedicated to showcasing next-generation BNCT strategies for cancer treatment.

This Special Issue will present a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions of BNCT in both clinical and technological dimensions. It will particularly focus on recent progress in medical applications, including the development and assessment of boron carriers, the refinement of dosimetry and radiobiological modeling, innovations in neutron and gamma detection systems, novel imaging techniques, simulation-based treatment planning, and the construction and commissioning of BNCT facilities. This Special Issue is well aligned with the journal’s scope, including nuclear technologies and their application to medical physics and radiation therapy.

For this Special Issue, original research articles and comprehensive reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following topics:

• Clinical studies and trials in BNCT;
• The development of novel boron-containing agents and drug delivery systems;
• Dosimetry strategies and radiation quality assessment;
• Detectors for in vivo and in vitro dose monitoring;
• Imaging techniques;
• Simulation tools and treatment planning systems;
• Radiobiological modeling and response evaluation;
• Technological innovations in BNCT facility design and commissioning;
• Quality assurance and safety protocols in BNCT;
• Multidisciplinary approaches combining BNCT with other modalities.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and advancing this important area together. 

Dr. Dayron Ramos López
Dr. Gabriella Pugliese
Dr. Raffaella Radogna
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the Special Issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.