Director of Medical Physics / Senior Medical Physicist
Pengbo Boron Neutron Hospital
Pengbo (Hainan) Boron Neutron Hospital is China’s first high-end oncology institution dedicated exclusively to Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). Leveraging the “pioneering and pilot” policies of the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, the hospital has introduced the world’s only approved BNCT system—NeuCure®—along with the boron-based drug Steboronine®, enabling “cell-level” precision cancer treatment. Located in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone and adjacent to the Wanquan River, the facility spans 14,011 square meters, features 40 inpatient beds, and has an annual treatment capacity exceeding 1,500 cases.
Centers of Excellence
| Center of Excellence / Department | Key Highlights & Achievements | Scope of Services & Specialties |
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| Oncology & Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine |
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| Diagnostic Services |
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About BNCT
BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) utilizes the neutron capture reaction between neutrons and boron atoms. It is a treatment method that selectively destroys cancer cells while causing almost no damage to normal cells. It is effective not only for primary or single-lesion cancers but also for cancers that have spread to individual organs, metastatic cancers, and refractory cancers. At the same time, BNCT can treat recurrent cancers; even after receiving conventional radiation therapy, BNCT treatment can still be administered. Furthermore, combination therapy of BNCT with other treatment methods is expected to further improve therapeutic efficacy. BNCT is a minimally invasive, non-surgical therapy that requires no surgical incision or resection, and is therefore expected to greatly improve patients' quality of life (QOL).
1. After intravenous infusion of a boron-10 (10B) containing drug, boron-10 selectively accumulates in cancer cells.
2. The affected area is irradiated with a neutron beam from outside the body. The neutron beam has very low energy and has almost no effect on the human body, but when neutrons collide with boron-10, a neutron capture reaction occurs, producing two types of radiation (alpha particles and 7Li ions).
3. The two types of radiation have an extremely short range in the body, approximately only one cell diameter. Therefore, they can precisely destroy cancer cells that have absorbed boron-10 from inside the cells while causing almost no damage to surrounding normal tissue, achieving targeted killing of cancer cells.
The three standard main treatments for cancer include: surgery, radiation therapy, and drug therapy.
BNCT utilizes the neutron capture reaction between neutrons and boron nuclei to selectively destroy cancer cells, and is a type of radiation therapy. Among radiation therapies, X-ray therapy, which can treat a variety of cancers, is currently the conventional radiotherapy method. Although proton beam therapy and carbon-ion therapy are effective treatment methods, a considerable portion of their indications overlap with X-ray therapy.
In contrast, BNCT is an epoch-making, revolutionary cancer treatment method with unique characteristics that distinguish it from traditional radiotherapy. It can be applied to cancers that are difficult to manage with conventional X-ray therapy, proton beam therapy, and carbon-ion therapy, and is therefore expected to become a new therapy that supports the future of cancer radiotherapy.
Approved Indication
Unresectable locally advanced or locally recurrent head and neck cancer
Ongoing Clinical Trials
Recurrent malignant glioma
Recurrent high-grade meningioma
Unresectable angiosarcoma
Malignant melanoma
Completed Clinical Studies
Lung cancer
Liver cancer
Pleural mesothelioma
Colon cancer
Bladder cancer
Breast cancer, etc.
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The world's only approved BNCT drug-device combination
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Effective tumor cell-specific selectivity, killing cancer cells at the cellular precision level
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Powerful efficacy, tumor shrinkage as fast as 48 hours, response rate 71.4%, 2-year survival rate 100% (Japanese Phase II clinical data)
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Short treatment course, usually only 1-2 irradiations to achieve the expected efficacy (one irradiation session is 30-60 minutes)
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Treatment efficacy can be predicted by PET/CT examination
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Develop treatment plan
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Intravenous injection of boron drug infusion
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Reproduce irradiation position in preparation room
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Automatically transfer patient to treatment room and perform neutron irradiation on target area
Head and Neck Cancer
The standard treatment for head and neck cancer is surgery, X-ray therapy combined with chemotherapy, but after X-ray therapy, the tolerated dose of normal tissue is limited and repeated irradiation is not possible. Radiation oncologists hope that BNCT technology can achieve repeated radiotherapy for recurrent patients. In the world's first case of BNCT treatment for recurrent parotid gland cancer, the patient's tumor completely disappeared after two treatments, with no reactions such as dry or flaky skin. Compared with other treatment methods that are difficult to deliver a sufficiently controlled dose to subcutaneous tumors while avoiding skin blistering and other damage, this fully demonstrates the high selectivity and significant superiority of BNCT for tumors.
Malignant Brain Tumors
The academic community has high hopes for BNCT research on malignant brain tumors (especially malignant gliomas). BNCT can deliver a large dose of irradiation at one time, and in some cases, tumor response (such as lesion regression and disappearance shown on MRI) appears faster than with X-ray therapy, becoming visible in about two days (Osaka Medical College case).
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cases spread along the pleura in complex three-dimensional geometries. Even with current high-precision radiotherapy techniques, it is difficult to deliver a controlled dose to the tumor while avoiding the tumor-covered lungs. Therefore, experts hope to improve the therapeutic effect of MPM through the high selectivity of BNCT for cancer cells.
Breast Cancer
In a patient with a large recurrent breast cancer tumor with lung metastasis, after BNCT irradiation, the tumor formed a cavity and shrank significantly in volume 2 months later. Although pleural effusion increased, the general condition remained stable. Exploratory clinical trials related to breast cancer showed that the tumor lesions of subjects shrank with no adverse reactions such as radiation pneumonitis, verifying the safety and efficacy of accelerator-based BNCT for breast cancer, bringing new hope to breast cancer patients and the medical community.
Complete Directory of Clinical Departments
Hospital Environment
BNCT（Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a revolutionary, cell-level targeted radiotherapy. After injecting a boron-containing drug that selectively accumulates in cancer cells, the tumor is irradiated with a low-energy neutron beam. This triggers a nuclear reaction, releasing particles with a range of just one cell diameter. These particles precisely destroy cancer cells from within while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
International Patient Services
End-to-end support for overseas patients receiving BNCT and cancer treatment at Pengbo Boron Neutron Hospital
Medical Visa & Invitation Letter
Painpoint：Many patients from other countries do not know what paperwork is required for medical treatment in China.
We provide official medical invitation letters to assist you in applying for an M-visa (Medical Visa). Our team will guide you through the documentation needed for a smooth entry into China.
International Health Insurance Direct Billing
Painpoint：International patients worry whether their insurance is accepted at the treatment facility, and fear uncontrolled out-of-pocket expenses.
As an independent healthcare provider, we coordinate with partner hospitals to ensure transparent pricing, thereby protecting self-pay patients from hidden costs.
Multilingual Medical Interpreting
Painpoint：Patients cannot understand medical records or what doctors explain during consultation.
Professional medical interpreters (English, Russian, Arabic, Bahasa, etc.) are available for your consultations, treatment planning, and daily hospital visits, ensuring seamless communication with your doctors.
Dedicated Case Manager
Painpoint：The whole medical process is complicated, and patients are unsure about the next step.
From your first online inquiry to your departure, a dedicated case manager will be your single point of contact, coordinating your medical appointments, accommodation, and daily needs.
Accommodation & Airport Transfer
Painpoint：Travelling in a foreign country, patients struggle to find suitable accommodation and transportation to the hospital.
We offer complimentary airport pick-up and assist in arranging nearby partner hotels for you and your accompanying family members, creating a comfortable "home away from home."
Remote Medical Second Opinion
Painpoint：It costs a lot to travel here directly. Patients want to confirm whether treatment is suitable before travelling.
Send us your medical records in advance. Our multidisciplinary team (MDT) will review your case remotely and provide a preliminary treatment plan and cost estimate before you travel.
Easy & Convenient Access to The Pengbo Boron Neutron Hospital
Pengbo (Hainan) Boron Neutron Hospital seamlessly integrates internationally recognized precision oncology care with its pioneering BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) expertise
Oncologist
Radiosurgeon
Radiosurgeon
In short, Hainan combines world-class medical expertise, an international transportation network, rich cultural heritage, and patient-centered urban services.
