Application of proton boron fusion reaction to radiation therapy: A Monte Carlo simulation study

TLDR

Proton‑boron fusion releases three alpha particles that can kill tumor cells and emits a prompt 719‑keV gamma ray. When boron accumulates in the tumor, incoming protons react with it, producing alpha particles that raise the proton’s maximum dose and selectively damage tumor cells. Monte Carlo simulations confirm that proton‑boron fusion can more than double the proton’s maximum dose within boron‑rich tumor regions, with a detectable 719‑keV gamma peak, offering Bragg‑peak targeting, enhanced efficacy, and real‑time monitoring.

Abstract

Three alpha particles are emitted from the point of reaction between a proton and boron. The alpha particles are effective in inducing the death of a tumor cell. After boron is accumulated in the tumor region, the emitted from outside the body proton can react with the boron in the tumor region. An increase of the proton's maximum dose level is caused by the boron and only the tumor cell is damaged more critically. In addition, a prompt gamma ray is emitted from the proton boron reaction point. Here, we show that the effectiveness of the proton boron fusion therapy was verified using Monte Carlo simulations. We found that a dramatic increase by more than half of the proton's maximum dose level was induced by the boron in the tumor region. This increase occurred only when the proton's maximum dose point was located within the boron uptake region. In addition, the 719 keV prompt gamma ray peak produced by the proton boron fusion reaction was positively detected. This therapy method features the advantages such as the application of Bragg-peak to the therapy, the accurate targeting of tumor, improved therapy effects, and the monitoring of the therapy region during treatment.