BNCT for skin melanoma in extremities: updated Argentine clinical results

Appl Radiat Isot. 2009 Jul;67(7-8 Suppl):S50-3. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2009.03.020. Epub 2009 Mar 27.

Abstract

As part of phase I/II melanoma BNCT clinical trial conducted in Argentina in a cooperative effort of the Argentine Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) and the Oncology Institute Angel H. Roffo (IOAHR), 7 patients (6 female-1 male) received eight treatment sessions covering ten anatomical areas located in extremities. Mean age of the patients was 64 years (51-74). The treatments were performed between October 2003 and June 2007. All patients presented multiple subcutaneous skin metastases of melanoma and received an infusion containing approximately 14 gr/m(2) of (10)borophenyl-alanine (BPA) followed by the exposition of the area to a mixed thermal-epithermal neutron beam at the RA-6 reactor. The maximum prescribed dose to normal skin ranged from 16.5 to 24 Gy-Eq and normal tissue administered dose varied from 15.8 to 27.5 Gy-Eq. Considering evaluable nodules, 69.3% of overall response and 30.7% of no changes were seen. The toxicity was acceptable, with 3 out of 10 evaluable areas showing ulceration (30% toxicity grade 3).

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Argentina
  • Boron Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leg
  • Male
  • Melanoma / radiotherapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenylalanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Phenylalanine / therapeutic use
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / therapeutic use
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted
  • Skin Neoplasms / radiotherapy*

Substances

  • Boron Compounds
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
  • Phenylalanine
  • 4-boronophenylalanine