[en] Accelerator-Based BNCT (AB-BNCT) is establishing itself worldwide as the future modality to start the phase of in-hospital facilities. There are projects in Russia, UK, Italy, Japan, Israel, and Argentina to develop AB-BNCT around different types of accelerators. They will be briefly mentioned. In particular, the present status and recent progress of the Argentine project will be presented. The topics will cover: high power ion sources, power and voltage generation systems for a Tandem- Electrostatic Quadrupole (TES Q) accelerator, acceleration tubes, transport of intense beams, beam diagnostics, control systems, high power targets, the 9Be(d,n) reaction as a possible neutron source, Beam Shaping Assemblies (BSA.s), treatment room design, treatment planning assessment of clinical cases, etc. A complete test stand has been built and commissioned for intense proton beam production and characterization. Beams of 10 to 30 m A have been produced and transported during variable periods of operation by means of a pre accelerator and an electrostatic quadrupole doublet to a suppressed Faraday cup. The beam diagnostics has been performed through the observation with digital cameras of induced fluorescence in the residual gas. A 200 kV TES Q accelerator prototype has been constructed and tested and a 600 keV prototype is under construction. Self consistent space charge beam transport simulations have been performed and compared with experimental results. In addition to the traditional 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction, 9Be(d,n)10B using a thin Be target has been thoroughly studied as a candidate for a possible neutron source for deep seated tumors, showing a satisfactory performance. BSA.s and production targets and a treatment room complying with regulations have also been designed. Realistic clinical treatment planning cases for AB-BNCT have been studied showing very good results. Finally we will present advances in the development of a Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) system for online dosimetry during a BNCT treatment

[en] The direct use of proton and heavy ion beams for radiotherapy is a well established cancer treatment modality, which is becoming increasingly widespread due to its clear advantages over conventional photon-based treatments. This strategy is suitable when the tumor is spatially well localized. Also the use of neutrons has a long tradition. Here Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) stands out, though on a much smaller scale, being a second-generation promising alternative for tumors which are diffuse and infiltrating. On this sector, so far only nuclear reactors have been used as neutron sources. In this paper we describe the current situation worldwide as far as the use of accelerator-based neutron sources for BNCT is concerned (so-called Accelerator-Based (AB)-BNCT). In particular we discuss the present status of an ongoing project to develop a folded Tandem-ElectroStatic-Quadrupole (TESQ) accelerator at the Atomic Energy Commission of Argentina. The project goal is a machine capable of delivering 30 mA of 2.4 MeV protons to be used in conjunction with a neutron production target based on the ⁷Li(p,n)⁷Be reaction. These are the specifications needed to produce sufficiently intense and clean epithermal neutron beams to perform BNCT for deep-seated tumors in less than an hour. (author)

[en] The use of proton and heavy ion beams for radiotherapy is a well established cancer treatment modality in the first world, which is becoming increasingly widespread, due to its clear advantages over conventional photon-based treatments. This strategy is suitable when the tumor is spatially well localized. Also the use of neutrons has tradition. Here Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) stands out, though on a much smaller scale, being a promising alternative for tumors which are diffuse and infiltrating. On this sector, so far only nuclear reactors have been used as neutron sources. In this paper we briefly describe the situation in Latin America and in particular we discuss the present status of an ongoing project to develop a folded Tandem-ElectroStatic-Quadrupole (TESQ) accelerator for Accelerator-Based (AB)-Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) at the Atomic Energy Commission of Argentina. The project goal is a machine capable of delivering 30 mA of 2.4 MeV protons to be used in conjunction with a neutron production target based on the ⁷Li(p,n)⁷Be reaction. These are the specifications needed to produce sufficiently intense and clean epithermal neutron beams to perform BNCT for deep-seated tumors in less than an hour. The machine being currently designed and constructed is a folded TESQ with a terminal at 0.6 MV as a smaller scale prototype. Since the concept is modular the same structure will be used for the 1.2 MV final accelerator.

[en] The accelerator tubes are essential components of the accelerator. Their function is to transport and accelerate a very intense proton or deuteron beam through the machine, from the ion source to the neutron production target, without significant losses. In this contribution, we discuss materials selected for the tube construction, the procedures used for their assembly and the testing performed to meet the stringent requirements to which it is subjected.

[en] Within the frame of an ongoing project to develop a folded Tandem-Electrostatic-Quadrupole (TESQ) accelerator facility for Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-BNCT), we discuss here the electrostatic design of the machine, including the accelerator tubes with electrostatic quadrupoles and the simulations for the transport and acceleration of a high intensity beam.

[en] In this work we describe some aspects of the present status of an ongoing project to develop a Tandem-ElectroStatic-Quadrupole (TESQ) accelerator facility for Accelerator-Based (AB)-Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) at the Atomic Energy Commission of Argentina. The project final goal is a machine capable of delivering 30mA of 2.4MeV protons to be used in conjunction with a neutron production target based on the ⁷Li(p,n)⁷Be reaction slightly beyond its resonance at 2.3MeV. These are the specifications needed to produce sufficiently intense and clean epithermal neutron beams, based on the ⁷Li(p,n)⁷Be reaction, to perform BNCT treatment for deep-seated tumors in less than an hour. The machine being designed and constructed is a folded TESQ with a terminal at 0.6MV for a small scale prototype as a first step and 1.2MV for the final accelerator. The general physical layout, the mechanical and electromechanical structures and subsystems, including alternators and high-voltage power supplies, are being designed and constructed. The associated electrostatic fields, and the acceleration and beam transport modules (tubes) are being simulated using 3D finite element procedures. Tests on tube prototypes have also started. (author)

[en] Program aimed at the Development of Accelerator Technology in our country. This technology is complementary to that of reactors. To cover needs in medical (BNCT, radioisotopes) and nuclear/industrial areas (radiation damage, detection of nuclear materials, oil prospecting, actinide digestion in the future, etc.). Import substitution. Export of technology (high value added) and generation of quality employment. (author)

[en] In this work we provide some information on the present status of accelerator-based BNCT (AB-BNCT) worldwide and subsequently concentrate on the recent accelerator technology developments in Argentina. - Highlights: • The current status of projects and associated facilities for AB-BNCT worldwide is shown. • Only low (few MeV) energy accelerators are included. • The recent progress of the Argentine AB-BNCT program is described.

[en] The activity in accelerator development for accelerator-based BNCT (AB-BNCT) both worldwide and in Argentina is described. Projects in Russia, UK, Italy, Japan, Israel, and Argentina to develop AB-BNCT around different types of accelerators are briefly presented. In particular, the present status and recent progress of the Argentine project will be reviewed. The topics will cover: intense ion sources, accelerator tubes, transport of intense beams, beam diagnostics, the ⁹Be(d,n) reaction as a possible neutron source, Beam Shaping Assemblies (BSA), a treatment room, and treatment planning in realistic cases. - Highlights: • The activity in accelerator development for accelerator-based BNCT (AB-BNCT) both worldwide and in Argentina is described. • Projects in Russia, UK, Italy, Japan, Israel, and Argentina to develop AB-BNCT around different types of accelerators are briefly presented. • The present status and recent progress of the Argentine project will be reviewed. • Topics cover intense ion sources, accelerator tubes, transport of intense beams and beam diagnostics, among others