HERON Collaborates with TVGH to Advance Clinical Research of AB-BNCT in First-Line Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer

Source: Economic Daily News (Taiwan)

 HERON Collaborates with Taipei Veterans General Hospital

to Advance Clinical Research of AB-BNCT in First-Line Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer 

 

Heron Neutron Medical Corp. announced on May 11 that it will collaborate with Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH) to advance a clinical research program exploring the use of accelerator-based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-BNCT) in first-line treatment settings for head and neck cancer patients. 

The study aims to evaluate the potential application of BNCT in combination with surgery for patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer or those with limited treatment options. The project is considered a rare and highly forward-looking AB-BNCT clinical study on the international stage. 

Historically, BNCT has primarily been applied in specific clinical settings such as recurrent head and neck cancer. This new research initiative will further investigate whether BNCT may serve as a neoadjuvant therapy strategy prior to surgery, potentially helping patients with challenging tumor locations or extensive disease through improved tumor control and integration with subsequent surgical intervention. The collaboration also reflects Heron's continued commitment to advancing the clinical translation and exploration of accelerator-based BNCT across different cancer treatment settings. 

Dr. Cheng-Hsien Wu, director of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at TVGH, stated that some head and neck cancer patients face significant challenges in initial surgical treatment due to tumor location, size, or extent of invasion, making treatment decisions increasingly complex. He noted that multidisciplinary collaboration evaluating the safety and feasibility of BNCT in preoperative treatment settings may provide additional treatment strategy options for these patients in the future. 

Dr. Yuan-Hung Wu, attending physician in the Division of Heavy Ion and Radiation Oncology at TVGH, said that the TVGH team has already accumulated experience from more than 200 clinical treatment and observation cases using Heron's accelerator-based BNCT platform. Existing observations suggest that BNCT demonstrates promising potential for further research and development in head and neck cancer treatment, and that its integration with surgical approaches warrants further validation through rigorous clinical trials. 

Mr. Leo Shen, general manager of Heron Neutron Medical Corp., said that as a developer and integrator of accelerator-based BNCT systems, Heron will continue collaborating with clinical medical teams to promote clinical research and technical validation of BNCT across multiple cancer treatment settings. Through the integration of equipment, boron drug delivery, treatment planning systems, and clinical research, the company aims to gradually establish a foundation for the international development of accelerator-based BNCT in cancer therapy while expanding potential treatment options for patients. 

Heron further stated that the collaboration will proceed in accordance with applicable regulations, medical ethics standards, and clinical trial review procedures. The application of BNCT in first-line head and neck cancer treatment settings remains under clinical investigation, and its safety, feasibility, and clinical benefits will require further evaluation through formal clinical studies. Relevant findings will be disclosed in accordance with study progress and regulatory requirements.