Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH) has officially commenced construction of its Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Center, scheduled for completion and operation in 2027 (Year 116 of the Republic of China calendar). Once completed, TVGH will become one of the very few medical institutions worldwide equipped with both heavy-ion therapy and BNCT, offering comprehensive, state-of-the-art radiation oncology capabilities and elevating Taiwan to the forefront of global cancer radiation treatment, education, and research.
Director Wei-Ming Chen of TVGH stated that Archie Hwang, founder and chairman of Hermes-Epitek, generously donated NT$1.2 billion to provide a domestically designed and manufactured, accelerator-type BNCT system developed at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, which will be installed at TVGH. TVGH has collaborated with National Tsing Hua University on BNCT since August 11, 2010, treating over 600 patients to date and accumulating extensive clinical experience. The therapy has shown particularly strong results for recurrent head and neck cancers and brain tumors, and has also demonstrated efficacy for osteosarcoma, chordoma, and breast cancer.
BNCT leverages the selective uptake of boron-containing drugs by tumor cells and initiates targeted radiation via neutron capture, combining the advantages of both targeted therapy and radiotherapy. The fundamental principle uses the neutron capture reaction of boron-10 isotopes to selectively destroy cancer cells while sparing normal tissue, providing highly precise, intracellular radiation treatment.
Deputy Director Wui-Chiang Lee reported that two-year overall survival for head and neck cancer patients after treatment reaches 47%, with an overall response rate of 65%. Recurrent glioblastoma treated with compassionate BNCT showed a 70.6% overall response rate. Using a domestically developed accelerator BNCT system, TVGH has expanded treatment indications from previously untreatable recurrent head and neck cancers and brain tumors to lesions near the thoracic cavity, lumbar spine, and inguinal regions, including diffuse midline gliomas, recurrent triple-negative breast cancer, recurrent lung cancer, mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, recurrent osteosarcoma, recurrent malignant sarcomas, recurrent chordoma, and recurrent melanoma, demonstrating BNCT’s potential across multiple cancer types.
Director Yu-Ming Liu of the Department of Heavy Ion and Radiation Oncology noted that TVGH’s radiation oncology team began collaborating with National Tsing Hua University in 2010 to conduct clinical trials on patients with inoperable tumors unresponsive to photon therapy, showing BNCT’s powerful anticancer effects. Based on domestic clinical experience and international literature, BNCT may also offer effective tumor suppression for radiation-resistant melanoma, with minimal adverse effects. He expressed optimism that the domestic accelerator BNCT system will continue to develop, accelerating exploration of the technology’s potential to benefit more patients and match international treatment standards.
Wei-Ming Chen emphasized that, considering the eventual decommissioning of Tsing Hua University’s reactor, Taipei—being the nation’s capital—must establish a dedicated BNCT center. Thanks to Archie Hwang’s generous donation of the accelerator-type BNCT system from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and its installation by Heron Neutron Medical, TVGH expects the center to be operational in two years, offering BNCT as a Ministry of Health-approved treatment for domestic and international cancer patients.
Chen highlighted that the BNCT center represents a major milestone for TVGH in precision radiation therapy and signals a new era of comprehensive, personalized, and high-efficiency cancer treatment in Taiwan. TVGH will continue to introduce cutting-edge cancer therapies, providing patients with diverse, advanced treatment options and renewed hope for recovery.
Vice President Muh-Hwa Yang of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University read a congratulatory message from President Chi-Hung Lin, noting that following the donation agreement signed on October 22, 2024, careful planning and design have led to the official groundbreaking. The collaboration between academia, medicine, and industry aims to establish a world-class BNCT center, advancing clinical education, cancer research, and international medical exchange.
Lin emphasized that the university’s extensive cooperation with TVGH across multiple fields will be further strengthened by this advanced facility, fostering research development and delivering more effective treatment options to patients. This project marks the official beginning of substantive collaboration under the memorandum of understanding signed on January 24, 2024, demonstrating the combined efforts of academia, medicine, and industry to promote innovative medical technologies in clinical applications and contribute significantly to Taiwan’s biotech industry.
General Manager David Chen of Hermes-Epitek stated that Chairman Archie Hwang’s support for advanced healthcare has ignited hope for every cancer patient. The BNCT center sets a benchmark for collaboration across medicine, academia, and industry, representing a major breakthrough in cancer treatment with the potential to benefit many patients.
Heron Neutron Medical plays a pivotal role in developing accelerator-based BNCT technology and is the only domestic developer of large-scale radiation therapy equipment in Taiwan. This technology precisely targets cancer cells, minimizes damage to normal tissue, reduces patient suffering, and improves treatment outcomes.
Chairman Chin-Yung Shu of Heron Neutron Medical noted that combining the expertise of Tsing Hua University, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, and Hermes-Epitek has enabled the successful development of Taiwan’s first domestically designed, accelerator-type BNCT system. The establishment of the BNCT center represents a milestone for Heron Neutron Medical and a significant moment for sustainable development of Taiwan’s medical technology. Coupled with TVGH’s rich clinical experience and advanced equipment, it provides cancer patients with more treatment options, renewed hope for recovery, and the potential to make a global impact in healthcare.
Resource: 北榮硼中子捕獲癌症治療動工 斥資12億元2年完工 達癌症全方位治療
