Recently, the 2025 National Nuclear Technology R&D Project, led by Shenzhen University in collaboration with Jilin University and Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, has been approved by the National Defense Science and Industry Bureau. The project, titled “Development and Clinical Translation of Original Boron-Containing Targeted Multifunctional Boron Drugs Based on BNCT”, has secured a total funding of 21.67 million RMB. This is the first time our university has been granted such an important project. The approval of the BNCT project represents another significant breakthrough for Shenzhen University’s nuclear science discipline, following the success of the C-14 urea breath test technology. Professor Liu Yong from the College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering is the project leader, with core team members including Professors Wu Zhengxin, Yan Qiang, Liu Guoqing, Hao Xin, and Tong Yongpeng, among others.

BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) is a novel binary tumor radiation therapy method that combines boron-containing targeted drugs with heavy-ion therapy. It enables precise treatment at the cellular level and has become one of the most advanced tumor therapies in the world. The principle of BNCT involves injecting a targeted molecular drug carrying boron-10 (¹⁰B), a stable, non-radioactive isotope, into the human body. The targeted drug selectively accumulates in tumor tissues (biological targeting). Subsequently, a low-energy, highly directed neutron beam is used to irradiate the tumor site, activating the ¹⁰B in the tumor and inducing the boron-neutron capture reaction, which emits α particles and ⁷Li particles to destroy tumor tissue. The range of the emitted ⁷Li particles is approximately 4-5μm, and the range of the α particles is about 9-10μm, while the typical diameter of a tumor cell is less than 10μm. Therefore, the radiation damage is confined to the tumor cells, with minimal harm to the surrounding healthy tissues. This means that patients undergoing treatment do not require special protection.

The development of original targeted multifunctional boron drugs based on BNCT aims to address major challenges in the field of human health. The project will focus on breakthrough technologies in the design, synthesis, and mechanism of stepwise targeted multifunctional boron drugs, as well as the evaluation of the pharmacological properties and safety of BNCT synthetic drugs.

Figure 1: Schematic of BNCT tumor treatment

In recent years, the National Nuclear High-Tech Institute, with the support of the university and the leadership of the college, has successfully secured key projects from the National Defense Science and Industry Bureau and the Equipment Development Department, demonstrating its capability in serving the national defense and military industry, as well as major national strategies.