Cats and dogs are becoming participants in important scientific research in the fight against cancer. More than 30 animals have already undergone targeted therapy for inoperable cancer at the reactor of Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU). This method, called neutron capture therapy (NCT), shows promising results, providing long-term remission in most "patients".
NCT is an innovative approach that uses reactions between radiosensitive drugs and neutrons to treat cancer. A drug with a non-toxic boron isotope is introduced, which cancer cells actively accumulate, increasing their sensitivity to neutron radiation. Scientific research in this area continues, opening up new perspectives in the treatment of oncological diseases. Currently, neutron capture therapy technology is not used anywhere else in Russia.
The research is being conducted at the country's only operating university research reactor at TPU, equipped for NCT in 2020. However, according to scientists, the main challenge lies in the availability and cost of radiopharmaceuticals with the boron isotope (they received official registration only in Japan), which makes this method inaccessible for widespread use. Despite this, scientists are exploring alternative options, including the use of drugs with the gadolinium isotope.
Participation in research procedures is absolutely free for pet owners. However, not all animals that have undergone the procedure can be monitored after it, since participation in research is voluntary, some owners, after taking the animal home, stop communicating.
Despite this, scientists managed to record a positive effect from the neutron capture therapy (NCT) procedure in the treatment of sarcomas and melanomas in animals. Most of the "patients" are still alive, and many of them are experiencing an improvement in their quality of life and health.
Most often, owners record, either visually, if the tumor is located on the surface, or according to computed tomography data, the absence of progression in tumor growth, a sufficiently long remission. In some cases, a decrease in tumor size or even its complete necrosis.
Owners note that their animals behave as if they had no diseases, eat well and do not experience any discomfort. However, the researcher emphasizes that it is not always possible to achieve success in cases of too advanced diseases, and the effectiveness of the method may vary depending on the type of neoplasm.
The scientific group's plans include actively continuing the research phase in 2024, including conducting irradiation of groups of animals at the TPU reactor monthly. The last sessions were held on February 1-2 — 6 animals received treatment.