Evaluation of a novel drug (BAMP) for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18409
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56010:Neurosurgery-related
• Research Institution: Fukuyama University
• Principal Investigator: Shirakawa Makoto 福山大学, 薬学部, 講師 (40707759)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ホウ素中性子捕捉療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A novel boron agent (BAMP) for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has been successfully developed, and in vitro experiments suggest that BAMP is less toxic than the boron compound currently used in clinical practice (BPA). In vivo experiments, BAMP showed a therapeutic effect comparable to that of BPA, and the therapeutic effect was confirmed to be dose-dependent. Furthermore, BAMP is highly water-soluble, and unlike BPA, its dosage can be easily increased. Therefore, this study shows that BAMP is a promising new boron drug for BNCT, being an alternative to BPA.

Free Research Field

脳神経外科学・放射線科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

2020年3月に頭頸部癌を対象として、ホウ素中性子捕捉療法(BNCT)用中性子照射装置ニューキュアTMおよびBNCT用医薬品ステボロニン(BPA)が世界で初めて製造販売承認を取得した。今後は適応拡大のフェーズに至ると考えているが、臨床研究において脳腫瘍などでは再発例が多いことが知られている。BAMPは本研究においてBPAと同等以上の抗腫瘍効果を得ており、BNCTにおける第一選択薬として期待できる。さらに、現在までにステボロニンを用いたBNCTで癌の縮退が見られなかった患者や再発患者においても応用できる。