Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Dose Optimization for Ovarian Cancer Oligometastatic Using Particle and Heavy Ion Transport Code System (PHITS) v3.35

Authors

  • Al Fiyatuz Zuhroh UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang
  • Mokhamad Tirono Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University
  • Yohannes Sardjono Research Center for Safety, Meteorology and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia.
  • Gede Sutrisna Wijaya Research Center for Safety, Metrology and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, The National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia
  • Isman Mulyadi Triatmoko Research Center for Safety, Metrology and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, The National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia
  • Fendi Nugroho Research Center for Safety, Metrology and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, The National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55981.tdm.2025.13334

Keywords:

BNCT, Dosimetry, Cancer, PHITS, Neutron irradiation

Abstract

In Indonesia, ovarian cancer ranks third among cancer-related deaths, with poor prognosis largely due to late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment efficacy. Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering selective tumor cell destruction through boron-10–mediated nuclear reactions. This study employed PHITS v3.35 to simulate BNCT in a case of oligometastatic ovarian cancer with para-aortic lymph node involvement (FIGO IIIC). The neutron source was a 30 MeV cyclotron. Simulations were conducted with two irradiation directions posterior–anterior (PA) and left lateral (LLAT) and three boron concentrations of 100, 120, and 145 µg/g. The PA direction provided a more focused dose distribution to the tumor target and a shorter irradiation time compared to LLAT. At a boron concentration of 120 µg/g, an equivalent tumor dose of 20 Gy was achieved without exceeding the tolerance limits of surrounding organs at risk. The estimated irradiation time for PA ranged from 280.167 seconds, while LLAT required up to 2869.402 seconds. BNCT using the PA direction with a boron concentration of 120 µg/g represents the most effective and safe therapeutic configuration for oligometastatic ovarian cancer. These findings highlight BNCT’s potential as an alternative treatment strategy, although further experimental and clinical validation is needed.

Author Biographies

Mokhamad Tirono, Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University

Prof. Dr. Drs. H. Mokhamad Tirono, M.Si. is a Professor of Biophysics at the Faculty of Science and Technology, State Islamic University of Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang. He was officially inaugurated on December 4, 2024, with an inaugural lecture focusing on bipolar pulsed electric stimulation for diabetic wound healing, highlighting VEGF pathways and fibroblast proliferation. He has an h-index of 11 with 506 citations. His research spans magnetic and electric field applications in plant growth, fermentation, and bacterial inactivation underscoring significant contributions to applied biophysics.

Yohannes Sardjono, Research Center for Safety, Meteorology and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia.

Prof. Yohannes Sardjono is a senior researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), specializing in applied nuclear physics, including Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), particle simulation, and radiation protection. He has authored over 70 publications covering neutron system design, cancer therapy dosimetry, and optimization of neutron collimators for BNCT, collaborating across multiple disciplines. Prof. Sardjono holds an h-index of 8 overall (6 since 2020), reflecting the significant influence of his research within the academic community

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Published

2026-04-01

How to Cite

Al Fiyatuz Zuhroh, Mokhamad Tirono, Yohannes Sardjono, Wijaya, G. S., Triatmoko, I. M., & Nugroho, F. (2026). Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Dose Optimization for Ovarian Cancer Oligometastatic Using Particle and Heavy Ion Transport Code System (PHITS) v3.35. Jurnal Teknologi Reaktor Nuklir Tri Dasa Mega, 27(2), 117–130. https://doi.org/10.55981.tdm.2025.13334

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 2 (2025): June 2025

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Articles