Efficacy of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer: Systematic Review

Introduction. Head and neck cancer is characterized by a high rate of locoregional relapses. Treatment of progressive disease is ineffective, which significantly reduces the prognosis. The importance to study boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) as a promising method capable of providing selective destruction of tumor cells with minimal damage to surrounding tissues.The aim of this systematic review was to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of BNCT in locally advanced recurrent head and neck cancer. Materials and methods: Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of PubMed for all articles up to January 2025. Results: 22 studies were included in the systematic review: 8 phase I/II studies and one phase II study, as well as 11 retrospective studies. The search identified 680 patients with recurrent or locally advanced unresectable head and neck cancer. The analysis showed that BNCT demonstrates promising efficacy in various cancer types with a manageable safety profile. Conclusions: BNCT shows significant promise as a treatment modality, offering potential benefits with acceptable safety. However, further research is needed to improve its clinical application and ensure its safety and efficacy.