Development of binary technologies of radiotherapy of malignant neoplasms: condition and problems

The review is devoted to the problems of the development of binary technologies of radiation therapy - neutron and photon-capture therapy of malignant neoplasms. These technologies are based on the principle of “biological” targeting: irradiation of a tumor with pre-delivered special preparations increasing energy release and the relative biological efficiency of primary radiation. The basis of methods, characteristics of sources of external irradiation and used preparations, and stages of development of technologies are described. The development and implementation of binary technologies attract a great number of researchers but are restrained by the shortage of operating sources of epithermal neutrons (reactors, neutron generators based on accelerators) and the lack of accurate radiation dosimetry planning systems that takes into account the dynamics and accumulation of drugs in tumors.