Feasibility and efficacy of BNCT for diffused lung tumours: the Pavia University experience on the animal model

Lung tumour, whose incidence is one of the highest worldwide, still accounts for more deaths than any other cancer in both men and women. The common form of lung neoplasm are secondary tumours, mainly from breast and colon sources. These metastases usually are disseminated or bilateral pulmonary nodules. Dissemination characterises also many of the highly heterogeneous primary lung tumours as well as malignant pleural mesothelioma. In these cases, when standard therapies, like surgery or conventional photon therapy are impracticable and chemotherapy is ineffective, no cure is available for patients. Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) may represent an interesting alternative. Therefore, in Pavia research has been addressed to verify the feasibility and efficacy of BNCT for the treatment of disseminated lung coloncarcinoma metastases.