Health: ENEA presents neutron generator for radiotherapy

The prototype is currently being installed at the ENEA Research Centre in Brasimone (Bologna)

A Compact Neutron Generator (GNC) for intraoperative neutron radiotherapy^[1] enables the treatment of advanced solid tumors directly in the operating room, with a single irradiation lasting a maximum of ten minutes. This is what ENEA and Theranosti Centre (Agency) presented at the World Health Expo of Osaka, an international healthcare sector event, which recently concluded in Japan.

ENEA participated in the event inside an exhibition space managed by ART-ER, a consortium company dedicated to the sustainable growth of Emilia-Romagna, in collaboration with Emilia-Romagna Region and Clust-ER Health.

The Compact Neutron Generator opens a new frontier of intraoperative radiotherapy: Compared to the technologies currently in use, which employ X-rays or charged particles such as electrons and protons, GNC uses neutrons, particles without an electrical charge that have greater radiobiological efficacy, capable of precisely targeting the tumor tissue but also sterilizing the tumor bed, significantly reducing the need for long cycles of postoperative radiotherapy.

The device is compact, lightweight, and easily portable: with a length of approximately 33 cm, a diameter of 19 cm, and a mass ranging from a few kilograms to tens of kilograms (depending on the type of shielding used), the device can be mounted on an adjustable robotic arm and transferred directly to the operating room. Developed by the US company Berkion Technology LLC based on guidelines from the Theranosti Centre and ENEA, the first prototype is currently being installed in a bunker^[2] at the ENEA Brasimone Research Centre, where experimental characterization activities (TRL 4) are underway to secure authorization for full operation.

"The Compact Neutron Generator is the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration that leverages ENEA's scientific and technological expertise in the nuclear field, applying it in a completely novel way to oncology," comments Antonietta Rizzo, Head of the Nuclear Methods and Techniques for Security, Monitoring, and Traceability Section - ENEA Nuclear Department (NUC-TNMT).

ENEA NUC-TNMT Section applies nuclear research expertise to nuclear, environmental, and food safety; the detection of elements and isotopes; radioactive waste management; the mitigation of CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) risks. The Section operates at the Bologna and Brasimone Research Centers, employing advanced mass spectrometry, laser, Raman, and radiometric techniques in the fields of forensics and agro-food, chemical, and nuclear security.