In September 2022, Okayama University was designated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as an IAEA Collaborating Center in the field of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a non-invasive treatment method. The workshop was held for five days from July 3 to 7 to provide education and training for BNCT specialists and female researchers. From July 3 to 5, the most advanced basic research on BNCT to its clinical application was introduced at the J-HALL of the University, and from July 6 to 7, hands-on training and observation of treatment were conducted at the Kansai BNCT Joint Medical Center of Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University (OMPU). 27 people from 15 countries participated in the workshop. At the workshop held at Okayama University, President NASU Yasutomo and the Director of the Physics Division, Department of Physics and Chemistry, IAEA Office of Nuclear Science and Applications, gave opening remarks, and a lively exchange of information on BNCT took place. On July 5, the final day of the program at Okayama University, after the participants received their IAEA certificates, Dr. NARUSE Keiji, Dean of the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, gave a closing address.

In Japan, insurance reimbursement for BNCT for unresectable locally advanced or locally recurrent head and neck cancer began in June 2020 at two locations, the Southern Tohoku Hospital and OMPU. In addition, a clinical trial of BNCT for skin cancer began at the National Cancer Center in November 2019, a specific clinical study of BNCT for recurrent malignant glioma after standard treatment at OMPU in June 2022, and a specific clinical study of BNCT for recurrent breast cancer after radiation therapy at Edogawa Hospital in July 2023. Clinical studies of BNCT have started not only in Japan but also in China and Korea from 2022. Through this workshop, Okayama University, in collaboration with the IAEA, will foster not only project leaders in countries where BNCT will be introduced in the future, but also medical technologists, researchers, and educators who can exercise leadership, and will make preparations for the formation of an international research and education center for the standardization of BNCT.

〇Please click here for more information about the BNCT Training Workshop.
〇Program of the day
〇Click here for the BNCT book (published by IAEA, June 2023)