Boron Research
42 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8.5/10
Efficacy and safety of boron neutron capture therapy for locally recurrent head and neck cancer
Sun X et al. • Critical reviews in oncology/hematology (2026)
BNCT has shown favorable efficacy and safety in LRHNC.
- The ORR was 70 % (95 % CI: 65 %-75 %; P = 0.8187) and the 2-year OS rate was 45 % (95 % CI: 39 %-50 %; P < 0.0001).
- The ORR of patients with non-squamous cell carcinoma (NSCC) was higher than those with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (82 % vs. 72 %), while the 2-year OS rates were similar (50 % vs. 49 %).
- The most frequent acute AEs included hyperamylasemia (75 %, 95 % CI: 70 %-80 %), alopecia (61 %, 95 % CI: 55 %-67 %), and submandibular gland inflammation (61 %, 95 % CI: 49 %-72 %).
Efficacy and safety of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy: a systematic review
Younous K et al. • International journal of radiation biology (2024)
BNCT shows substantial promise as a treatment modality for multiple cancer types, offering potential benefits with acceptable safety profiles.
- BNCT shows substantial promise as a treatment modality for multiple cancer types, offering potential benefits with acceptable safety profiles.
- Nonetheless, further research is essential to refine its clinical application and ensure consistent safety and efficacy.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Charged particle radiotherapy for thyroid cancer. A systematic review
Ciccone LP et al. • Critical reviews in oncology/hematology (2024)
All rights reserved.
- Preclinical research focused on BNCT in ATC mouse models, showing promising local control rates.
- Clinical studies explored proton, neutron, or photon radiotherapy, reporting favorable outcomes and manageable toxicity.
- While PT shows promise supported by biological rationale, further research is necessary to clarify its role and potential combination with systemic treatments in TC management.Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V.
Unveiling Cellular Responses and Underlying Immune Effects Induced by Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Mao H et al. • International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics (2025)
All rights reserved.
- In this review, we integrate the latest studies to provide a comprehensive and detailed description of the direct and indirect mechanisms by which BNCT induces cell killing, as well as the subsequent cellular responses.
- More importantly, we propose that BNCT exhibits a stronger immunologic foundation and immunogenicity than traditional radiation therapy, indicating significant potential for its combined application with immunotherapy.
- These results offer a robust theoretical foundation for the future clinical use of BNCT and indicate that continued investigation of BNCT in conjunction with immunotherapy may pave the way for more advanced cancer treatment strategies.Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc.
Development and application of hydroxyapatite-based scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration: A systematic literature review
Fendi F et al. • Bone (2024)
All rights reserved.
- In the domain of orthopedics, HA-based scaffolds have emerged as a solution for addressing prevalent issues like bone deformities and defects stemming from congenital anomalies, injuries, trauma, infections, or tumors.
- The fabrication of three-dimensional scaffolds (3D scaffolds) has enabled advancements in bone regeneration and replacement, with a focus on practical applications such as repairing calvarial, skull, and femoral defects.
- In vitro and in vivo assessments have substantiated the effectiveness of 3D scaffolds for bone defect repair, regeneration, and tissue engineering.
Interaction between selenium and essential micronutrient elements in plants: A systematic review
Gui JY et al. • The Science of the total environment (2022)
Published by Elsevier B.V.
- The regulatory mechanisms of Se on these micronutrients are also analyzed.
- Based on the current understanding of the interaction between Se and these essential elements, future directions for research are suggested.Copyright © 2022.
- Published by Elsevier B.V.
Evaluation of nutrients in bread: a systematic review
Aghalari Z et al. • Journal of health, population, and nutrition (2022)
The results of this study showed that the concentration of nutrients in most articles was undesirable.
- The results of this study showed that the concentration of nutrients in most articles was undesirable.
- It is suggested that optimal methods of enrichment of breads and flours be done with interdisciplinary cooperation between food hygiene, environmental health, nutrition, farmers and bakers.
- It is recommended that food hygiene and environmental health researchers investigate other nutrients (including phosphorus, selenium, manganese, boron and molybdenum) in breads and other staple foods used by people to constructive and practical measures to increase public health.
The Role of Mineral and Trace Element Supplementation in Exercise and Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review
Heffernan SM et al. • Nutrients (2019)
PROSPERO preregistered (CRD42018090502).
- Approximately 50% of athletes have reported consuming some form of micronutrient supplement; however, there is limited data confirming their efficacy for improving performance.
- Only Iron and Magnesium included articles of sufficient quality to be assigned as 'strong'.
- Currently, there is little evidence to support the use of MTE supplementation to improve physiological markers of athletic performance, with the possible exception of Iron (in particular, biological situations) and Magnesium as these currently have the strongest quality evidence.
Multifunctional mesoporous bioactive glasses for effective delivery of therapeutic ions and drug/growth factors
Wu C et al. • Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society (2014)
All rights reserved.
- Regeneration of large-size bone defects represents a significant challenge clinically, which requires the use of scaffolds with multifunction, such as anti-bacterial activity, and stimulation of osteogenesis and angiogenesis.
- However, there is no a systematic review about delivery of therapeutic ions and drugs/growth factors from MBG for the functional effect on the tissue regeneration despite that significant progress has been achieved in the past five years.
- It is expected that the review will offer new concept to develop multifunctional biomaterials for bone regeneration by the synergistic effect of therapeutic ions and drug/growth factors.Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V.
Dietary Lithium, Silicon, and Boron: An Updated Critical Review of Their Roles in Metabolic Regulation, Neurobiology, Bone Health, and the Gut Microbiome
Melenikioti E et al. • Nutrients (2026)
Although Li-Si-B display compelling mechanistic potential, current human data are insufficient to justify dietary recommendations or supplementation.
- Although Li-Si-B display compelling mechanistic potential, current human data are insufficient to justify dietary recommendations or supplementation.
- Considerable research gaps-including exposure assessment, dose-response characterization, toxicity thresholds, and controlled human trials-must be addressed before translation into public health policy.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Trace elements in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Tonelli M et al. • BMC medicine (2009)
Average blood levels of biologically important trace elements were substantially different in hemodialysis patients, compared with healthy controls.
- Average blood levels of biologically important trace elements were substantially different in hemodialysis patients, compared with healthy controls.
- Since both deficiency and excess of trace elements are potentially harmful yet amenable to therapy, the hypothesis that trace element status influences the risk of adverse clinical outcomes is worthy of investigation.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The Preventive Effects of Boron-Based Gel on Radiation Dermatitis in Patients Being Treated for Breast Cancer: A Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Sahin F et al. • Oncology research and treatment (2022)
The boron-based gel has a significant preventive effect on several categories of RD which might be used by clinicians in breast cancer.
- After 14 days of treatment, dermatitis (98.7% vs. 9.9%; p < 0.001), erythema (96.1% vs. 12.2%; p < 0.001), dry desquamation (50% vs. 3.9%; p < 0.001), and moist desquamation (18.4% vs. 0.6%; p < 0.001) were much more common in the placebo group than the intervention group.
- To prevent dermatitis, erythema, dry desquamation, and moist desquamation in 1 patient, on average, 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-1.2), 1.2 (95% CI: 1.1-1.3), 2.2 (95% CI: 1.7-2.9), and 5.6 (95% CI: 3.8-11.0) patients need to be treated, respectively.
- The boron-based gel has a significant preventive effect on several categories of RD which might be used by clinicians in breast cancer.
The effect of the boron-based gel on the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: A prospective, randomized controlled trial
Şahin F et al. • Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS) (2023)
The present study suggests that topical sodium pentaborate gel may help treat and decrease the grade of diabetic foot ulcers and prevent the recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers.
- After the intervention, most participants in the intervention group had a lower ulcer grade than the control group (adjusted mean difference (95% CI): - 0.91 (-1.1 to -0.73); p < 0.001).
- Moreover, most participants in the intervention group (n = 109 (90.8%)) were treated at a higher rate than the control group (n = 5 (12.2%)) after intervention (adjusted odds ratio (95% CI): 0.008 (0.002-0.029); p < 0.001).
- There was no case of recurrence in the intervention group while its rate was (n = 2 (40%)) in the control group (p < 0.001).
Extended follow-up of recurrent glioblastoma patients treated with boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT): Long-term survival from a Phase II trial (JG002) using Cyclotron Neutron Source and Boronophenylalanine
Kawabata S et al. • Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine (2025)
AB-BNCT showed long-term survival benefits and acceptable safety in recurrent glioblastoma patients.
- Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a 1-year survival rate of 79.2 % (95 % CI: 63.3-88.7) for glioblastoma patients, with a median overall survival of 19.2 months (95 % CI: 13.1-24.8).
- The 2-year and 3-year survival rates were 33.3 % and 20.8 %, respectively.
- AB-BNCT showed long-term survival benefits and acceptable safety in recurrent glioblastoma patients.
Boron neutron capture therapy for cutaneous angiosarcoma and malignant melanoma: First in-human phase I clinical trial
Kashihara T et al. • Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (2025)
BNCT with a dose of 18 Gy-Eq is a feasible treatment option, demonstrating a favorable safety profile and a high response rate in patients with primary or recurrent angiosarcoma or malignant melanoma of the skin.
- The best overall response rate within 180 days was 70 % (median tumor shrinkage rate: 77.5 % [4.9-100 %]).
- BNCT with a dose of 18 Gy-Eq is a feasible treatment option, demonstrating a favorable safety profile and a high response rate in patients with primary or recurrent angiosarcoma or malignant melanoma of the skin.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
A Comparison of Boron Supplement and Tamsulosin as Medical Expulsive Therapy for Urinary Stones After Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Jalali S et al. • Biological trace element research (2023)
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
- No Significant side effects were reported in the two groups.
- Boron supplement could be effective as adjuvant medical expulsive therapy after ESWL with no significant side effects in short-term follow-up.
- Iranian Clinical Trial Registration number and date of registration: IRCT20191026045244N3, 07/29/2020.© 2023.
Effects of Boron-Based Gel on Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Breast Cancer: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Aysan E et al. • Journal of investigative surgery : the official journal of the Academy of Surgical Research (2017)
Using the RTOG scoring system, we revealed that the application of a boron-based gel diminished RISR.
- The FPHS score was higher in the placebo group than in the boron group, and this difference was not statistically significant (p = .079).
- Using the RTOG scoring system, we revealed that the application of a boron-based gel diminished RISR.
- The mechanism of action is unclear but may be related to antioxidant, wound healing, and thermal degradation effects of boron.
The efficacy and safety of tavaborole, a novel, boron-based pharmaceutical agent: phase 2 studies conducted for the topical treatment of toenail onychomycosis
Toledo-Bahena ME et al. • Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (2014)
Tavaborole solution demonstrated favorable efficacy and safety in phase 2 clinical studies.
- In study 1, treatment success rates at day 180 were higher with tavaborole 2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5% vs vehicle (27%, 26%, and 32% vs 14%, respectively; slope P=0.030).
- In cohort 3 of study 2, 7% of patients achieved treatment success with tavaborole 5.0% at day 360.
- Negative culture rates at day 180 in study 1 were numerically higher for tavaborole 2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5% vs vehicle (slope P=0.046).
Evaluating mineral biomarkers as mediators and moderators of behavioural improvements in a randomised controlled trial of multinutrients for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Robinette LM et al. • The British journal of nutrition (2024)
Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society
- An 8-week fully-blind randomised controlled trial of multinutrients for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) demonstrated three times as many children (age 6-12) had significantly improved behaviour ('treatment responders') on multinutrients (54 %) compared with placebo (18 %).
- These changes did not mediate treatment response.
- However, baseline urinary Li trended towards moderation: participants with lower baseline urinary Li were more likely to respond to multinutrients (P = 0·058).
Possible therapeutic effects of boron citrate and oleoylethanolamide supplementation in patients with COVID-19: A pilot randomized, double-blind, clinical trial
Akbari N et al. • Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS) (2022)
Supplementation with boron citrate alone or in combination with oleoylethanolamide could improve some clinical and biochemical parameters in COVID-19 patients.
- Supplementation with boron citrate alone or in combination with oleoylethanolamide significantly improved O2 saturation and respiratory rate (p < 0.01).
- At the end of the study, significant increases in white blood cell and lymphocyte count were observed in the boron citrate and combined groups (p < 0.001).
- Boron citrate supplementation led to a significant decrease in serum lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.026) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.014), compared with other groups.