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TAE Life Sciences (TLS), a leader in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, has announced the publication of new research in ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science (an ACS journal), demonstrating that its next-generation boron delivery platform may enable both enhanced tumour control and systemic immune activation.
New findings support Boron Neutron Capture Therapy as a differentiated precision radiotherapy platform with potential for combination with immuno-oncology therapies.
The study introduces a novel class of proprietary BPA-based dipeptides designed to overcome key limitations of conventional BPA (boronophenylalanine) for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, particularly solubility and dosing constraints. By enabling substantially higher boron delivery to tumours, these compounds significantly improved therapeutic outcomes across multiple preclinical models.
The dipeptides achieved 12- to 77-fold higher solubility than standard BPA, allowing for increased dosing within clinically relevant administration parameters. In vivo, this translated into complete and durable tumour regressions, including 100 per cent complete response rates (5/5) in a human head and neck cancer xenograft model using dipeptides, i.e. 10B l-BPA-BPA.
Beyond local tumour control, the study demonstrates that Boron Neutron Capture Therapy can activate a systemic anti-tumour immune response in mouse models. The mice that achieved complete responses were able to reject tumour rechallenge, indicating the development of durable immune memory. Additionally, suppression of untreated tumours in contralateral sites demonstrates an abscopal effect, supporting the potential for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy to function as an in situ tumour vaccine in the clinic.
These findings position Boron Neutron Capture Therapy as a dual-mechanism modality, combining highly localized, high-linear energy transfer radiation with immune activation. This profile may create meaningful opportunities for combination strategies with immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapies, and other systemic treatments, particularly in tumours with limited treatment options or resistance to conventional therapies.
“Our studies highlight the potential for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy to evolve into a platform that not only delivers precise tumour-targeted radiation, but also engages the immune system to enhance tumour control,” said Kendall Morrison, chief scientific officer, at TAE Life Sciences. “These findings support the continued advancement of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy across clinical pathways with the goal of expanding treatment options for patients.”
TAE Life Sciences is the only company with an integrated Boron Neutron Capture Therapy platform that combines its Alphabeam accelerator-based neutron system with a pipeline of proprietary boron drug candidates. The company is actively exploring strategic collaborations to further evaluate Boron Neutron Capture Therapy in combination settings and expand its clinical applications.
TAE Life Sciences is pioneering next-generation Boron Neutron Capture Therapy with a pipeline of proprietary boron drugs and accelerator-based neutron systems, advancing precision radiation therapy and combination regimens to improve survival for patients with hard-to-treat cancers.
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