Boron neutron capture therapy in the treatment of locally recurred head-and-neck cancer: final analysis of a phase I/II trial

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2012 Jan 1;82(1):e67-75. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2010.09.057. Epub 2011 Feb 6.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and safety of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in the treatment of inoperable head-and-neck cancers that recur locally after conventional photon radiation therapy.

Methods and materials: In this prospective, single-center Phase I/II study, 30 patients with inoperable, locally recurred head-and-neck cancer (29 carcinomas and 1 sarcoma) were treated with BNCT. Prior treatments consisted of surgery and conventionally fractionated photon irradiation to a cumulative dose of 50 to 98 Gy administered with or without concomitant chemotherapy. Tumor responses were assessed by use of the RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) and adverse effects by use of the National Cancer Institute common terminology criteria version 3.0. Intravenously administered L-boronophenylalanine-fructose (400 mg/kg) was administered as the boron carrier. Each patient was scheduled to be treated twice with BNCT.

Results: Twenty-six patients received BNCT twice; four were treated once. Of the 29 evaluable patients, 22 (76%) responded to BNCT, 6 (21%) had tumor growth stabilization for 5.1 and 20.3 months, and 1 (3%) progressed. The median progression-free survival time was 7.5 months (95% confidence interval, 5.4-9.6 months). Two-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 20% and 30%, respectively, and 27% of the patients survived for 2 years without locoregional recurrence. The most common acute Grade 3 adverse effects were mucositis (54% of patients), oral pain (54%), and fatigue (32%). Three patients were diagnosed with osteoradionecrosis (each Grade 3) and one patient with soft-tissue necrosis (Grade 4). Late Grade 3 xerostomia was present in 3 of the 15 evaluable patients (20%).

Conclusions: Most patients who have inoperable, locally advanced head-and-neck carcinoma that has recurred at a previously irradiated site respond to boronophenylalanine-mediated BNCT, but cancer recurrence after BNCT remains frequent. Toxicity was acceptable. Further research on novel modifications of the method is warranted.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00114790.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Boron Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / adverse effects
  • Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / methods*
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy*
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Fatigue / etiology
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Diseases / etiology
  • Mucositis / etiology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / mortality
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / radiotherapy*
  • Osteoradionecrosis / etiology
  • Pain / etiology
  • Phenylalanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Phenylalanine / therapeutic use
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Sarcoma / radiotherapy*
  • Xerostomia / etiology

Substances

  • 4-dihydroxyborylphenylalanine
  • Boron Compounds
  • Phenylalanine

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00114790