by Chiara Magni
From 14 to 18 March 2022, IAEA’s Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, will host the Technical Meeting on Best Practices in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy. The event is expected to be hybrid, with virtual participation possible via Cisco Webex.
The event aims to discuss best practices in BNCT in light of the most recent developments in the field. After this meeting the TECDOC drafted as the output from the Technical Meeting held in July 2020 is expected to be finalized.
The agenda will be structured around presentations from experts, contributed presentations electronically provided ahead of the meeting, break-out sessions to discuss specific sections of the TECDOC draft.
The technical and discussion sessions will focus on:
• Prerequisites for neutron beam parameters;
• Neutron sources for BNCT treatment facilities;
• Beam design considerations;
• Irradiation (patient treatment) facility design;
• Physical dosimetry of BNCT: determination of beam parameters;
• Organization, operation and management of a BNCT treatment facility;
• Boron compounds;
• Radiobiology;
• Boron concentration determination and imaging;
• Prescribing and treatment planning for BNCT;
• Dose reporting in BNCT;
• Clinical trial design and procedures for BNCT; and
• Regulatory aspects.
The event is addressed to: staff from hospitals interested in establishing a Boron Neutron Capture Therapy clinical facility, specialists involved in the planning or executing a project in the field; scientists performing research and patient treatments for and with BNCT.
IAEA’s Member States are invited to designate one or more participants to represent the government. The participation of women is strongly encouraged.
It is possible to apply for a limited financial support offered by IAEA, for participants (normally one per country) relevantly contributing to the event. The request should be made at the time of designating the attendants using the dedicated form.
DESIGNATIONS DEADLINE: 22 February 2022
Designations should be submitted to the IAEA through the competent national authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to the IAEA or National Atomic Energy Authority) before the 22 February. Completed and authorized Participation Forms should be sent by mail to official.mail@iaea.org or by fax to +43126007. Copies should be emailed to the Scientific Secretary of the event, Mr Ian Swainson (i.swainson@iaea.org) and to the Administrative Secretary, Mr Rubén Gómez Zaragoza (r.gomez-zaragoza@iaea.org).
Once received the official designations, the Scientific Secretariat will directly contact the participants regarding further arrangements.
Participants are encouraged to give presentations on the work of their respective institutions regarding the topics of the above list. Participants wishing to present a contribution at the event are requested to submit an abstract of their work. The abstract (A4 page format, max. 1 page and 700 words) will be reviewed as part of the selection process. The abstract should be sent electronically to Mr Ian Swainson, the Scientific Secretary, not later than 22 February 2022. Apart from live talks, a SharePoint will be available to upload contributions of accepted abstracts.
Governments are allowed to appoint observers to assist and advise the designated participants, informing IAEA with names and contact details of any such observers before the date.
The venue will be the Vienna International Centre (VIC). Participants must make their own travel and accommodation arrangements.
For general information on the VIC and other practical details: https://www.iaea.org/events/guide-to-the-vic.