Recent Progress in BNCT Research and Translation at the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
The Department of Radiation Oncology at the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (SAHZU), led by Prof. Qichun Wei, has been actively engaged in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) research in recent years, with a focus on boron delivery agent development, microdosimetry, and treatment planning optimization. This brief report shares recent progress from the SAHZU radiation oncology team.
Clinical Development in China
China’s BNCT program has been gradually moving toward clinical application. With 13 BNCT centers nationwide at various stages of development, five have entered Phase I clinical trials, with Phase II trials expected to commence in the near future. Furthermore, in February 2026, the Boron Neutron Hospital began trial operation at the Boao Lecheng Pilot Zone in Hainan. The SAHZU team has contributed to patients care, treatment planning support and dosimetry consultation.
Research Highlights: Boron Delivery Nanoplatforms
The team has published a series of studies exploring nanotechnology-enhanced BNCT. Some recent work includes:
- Immune-activating manganese-boron nanoplatform. In Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2026), the team reported BSA-BPA-MnO₂, a tumor-microenvironment-responsive manganese-enriched nanoboron agent that addresses a key limitation of BNCT—therapy-induced immunosuppression. The nanoplatform combines efficient boron delivery with Mn²⁺-driven Fenton-like catalysis and cGAS-STING pathway activation. By amplifying BNCT-induced oxidative stress and triggering immunogenic pyroptosis alongside robust type I interferon signaling, this dual mechanism transforms BNCT from a purely local therapy into a systemic immune activator. Notably, the platform achieves potent tumor suppression even at subclinical boron levels, and the MnO₂ component enables MRI-guided BNCT—realizing the vision of theranostic integration.
- Senescence-targeting biomimetic nanoparticles. In Chemical Engineering Journal (2026), the team introduced PLGA-CB@MM, a regulatory biomimetic nanoparticle system designed to simultaneously eliminate both non-irradiated tumor cells and radiation-induced senescent tumor cells. The study first demonstrated that radiation-induced senescent glioma cells promote tumor proliferation and invasion through enhanced exosome secretion—identifying senescent cells as a previously underappreciated therapeutic target. The biomimetic nanoparticle, coated with mixed membranes from both non-irradiated and senescent glioma cells, leverages homotypic adhesion molecules and the EPR effect for dual targeting. This approach addresses both the tumor bulk and the tumor microenvironment, enhancing BNCT’s therapeutic efficacy against glioblastoma.
- Tumor microenvironment modulation with cascade enzymes. In Nano Research (2025), the team developed a cRGD-modified cationic liposome nanosystem carrying carborane, with lactfirst ate oxidase (LOX) and catalase (CAT) immobilized on the surface. Through a cascade enzymatic reaction—LOX consumes lactate to produce H₂O₂, and CAT further decomposes H₂O₂ into O₂—the system simultaneously reduces lactic acid concentration, generates oxygen, and downregulates HIF-1α expression. This TME-regulating BNCT nanosystem exhibited potent anti-tumor effects both in vitro and in vivo, and importantly, reduced tumor stemness—an effect associated with improved prognosis.
- MRI-guided dual-functional nanoliposomes. In ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2025), the team reported BPA-F&DOTA-Gd@LIPO-ANG, a gadolinium-boron integrated lipid nanocarrier for targeted boron delivery and MRI-guided BNCT of glioblastoma. Using a microfluidic mixing strategy—overcoming the challenge of encapsulating amphiphilic BPA—the formulation achieved high BPA loading with uniform particle size and long-term colloidal stability. Angiopep-2 modification enhances blood-brain barrier penetration and glioma targeting. In orthotopic glioma models, the nanoliposome significantly improved tumor-to-normal tissue (T/N) and tumor-to-blood (T/B) ratios while enabling real-time MRI visualization, advancing the goal of image-guided precision BNCT.
National Key R&D Program
As the leading institution of the National Key R&D Program of China, SAHZU has completed the project on “Long-Retention MRI-Visible Gadolinium-Boron Dual-Effect Capture Agents.” Key outcomes include: gadolinium-boron dual-effect agents with favorable intratumoral retention and T/N ratios; a Monte Carlo microdosimetry model with multi-scale simulation capability; and an MRI-CT fusion treatment planning system with 3D dynamic boron distribution mapping and DVH analysis.
Closing Remarks
As BNCT continues to develop in China, the SAHZU radiation oncology team remains committed to advancing boron agent design, image-guided dosimetry, treatment planning optimization, and patients care. It is hoped that continued work in these areas will contribute to the advancement of precision radiotherapy and facilitate the clinical translation of BNCT.
Prof. Qichun Wei (MD Ph.D) is the Qiushi Distinguished Professor of Zhejiang University, China. He is also the Chair of Dept. Radiation Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. His selective important academic appointments are listed below:
- Principal Investigator, National Key R&D Program of China
- Member, Chinese Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (CSTRO)
- Director, BNCT group of CSTRO
- Standing Member, Chinese Radiation Oncologist Association, CMDA
- Standing Member, Radiation Therapy Committee, China Association of Medical Equipment