TVGH marks BNCT center installation, a new milestone in precision cancer treatment; launch set for 2027

Source: Economic Daily News (Taiwan)

 

TVGH installs BNCT system, marking milestone in precision cancer care; operations set for 2027
Facility expected to expand treatment options and benefit cancer patients across Taiwan

 

Mr. Archie Hwang, founder and chairman of Hermes-Epitek Corp., has made a philanthropic donation to support National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in establishing a fully integrated accelerator-based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) system. In collaboration, Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH) is advancing the development of a BNCT Center. An installation ceremony for the accelerator was held on May 4, with completion and operations expected in 2027.

 

Upon completion, TVGH will become one of the few medical institutions worldwide equipped with both heavy ion therapy and BNCT, marking a significant step in advancing Taiwan’s precision cancer treatment to a globally competitive level.

 TVGH Superintendent Dr. Chen Wei-ming said the hospital has collaborated with National Tsing Hua University since 2010 to promote BNCT clinical applications, accumulating more than 600 cases to date. The therapy has demonstrated notable efficacy in recurrent head and neck cancers and brain tumors.

 

Chen said that, in response to the planned decommissioning of National Tsing Hua University’s research reactor and increasing demand for advanced cancer care in the Taipei metropolitan area, TVGH has actively planned the establishment of a BNCT Center. The project is supported by Hwang’s donation, with construction led by Heron Neutron Medical Corp.

 

Once operational, the center is expected to be included as an officially approved treatment modality by Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, expanding patient access. During the construction phase, TVGH has participated in clinical trials and compassionate use programs at Heron’s Hsinchu experimental facility, showing promising preliminary outcomes across multiple tumor types.

 Chen noted that more than one-third of TVGH inpatients are cancer patients, underscoring the need for advanced treatment technologies. With the integration of heavy ion therapy and BNCT, the hospital aims to significantly enhance its clinical capacity and establish a comprehensive, internationally competitive cancer treatment system.

 Dr. Chi-Hung Lin, president of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, said the installation of the BNCT system marks a key milestone in translating research into clinical application. Lin said the university will continue to strengthen research and development, focusing on neutron source optimization, drug development and expansion of clinical applications, in collaboration with TVGH.

 Vice Chairman C.Y. Shu of Hermes-Epitek Corp. said the company has long focused on high-tech equipment and system integration. Shu said the collaboration is expected to advance medical technology, improve cancer treatment quality and support the localization of high-end medical equipment.

 Mr. Leo Shen, general manager of Heron Neutron Medical Corp., said accelerator-based BNCT uses the precise interaction between boron-containing drugs and neutrons to selectively destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Shen said the system has entered the integration testing phase following installation and is expected to improve treatment accessibility.

 TVGH Deputy Superintendent Dr. Li Wei-chiang said the hospital has achieved strong clinical outcomes with BNCT. For recurrent head and neck cancer, the two-year survival rate has reached 47%, with an overall response rate of 65%. In glioblastoma cases treated under compassionate use, the response rate has reached 70.6%. Approximately 200 treatments have been completed to date, with indications expanding to multiple cancer types.

 Dr. Yu-Ming Liu, director of the Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, said BNCT has shown strong tumor control in cancers that respond poorly to conventional therapies or exhibit high radioresistance, while maintaining relatively low side effects. Liu said continued advancements in domestically developed accelerator technology are expected to further expand clinical applications and strengthen Taiwan’s cancer treatment capabilities.

 

TVGH marks BNCT center installation

Pictured in front of the accelerator (from left):

Dr. Chi-Hung Lin, president of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University;

Vice Chairman C.Y. Shu, Hermes-Epitek Corp.;

Dr. Chen Wei-ming, superintendent of Taipei Veterans General Hospital;

and Mr. Leo Shen, general manager of Heron Neutron Medical Corp.