TAE Life Sciences (TLS) has announced the publication of new preclinical research demonstrating the potential of its next-generation boron delivery platform to significantly improve outcomes in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT).

The findings, published in an American Chemical Society journal, highlight a novel class of proprietary BPA-based dipeptides designed to overcome key limitations of conventional boronophenylalanine (BPA), including poor solubility and dosing constraints. The new compounds achieved 12- to 77-fold higher solubility, enabling substantially increased boron delivery to tumours within clinically relevant parameters.

In preclinical models, the enhanced delivery translated into improved therapeutic outcomes, including complete and durable tumour regressions. Notably, the study reported a 100 per cent complete response rate in a human head and neck cancer xenograft model using one of the dipeptides, 10B l-BPA-BPA.

Beyond tumour targeting, the research also demonstrated that BNCT may trigger systemic anti-tumour immune responses. In mouse models, subjects that achieved complete responses were able to reject tumour rechallenge, indicating the development of durable immune memory. Additionally, suppression of untreated tumours at distant sites suggested an abscopal effect, pointing to BNCT’s potential to function as an in situ tumour vaccine.

These results position BNCT as a dual-mechanism treatment approach, combining highly localised radiation with immune system activation. This profile could support future combination strategies with immuno-oncology therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted treatments, particularly for cancers that are resistant to conventional therapies.

According to Kendall Morrison, Chief Scientific Officer at TAE Life Sciences, the findings underscore the evolving role of BNCT as a platform that not only delivers precise tumour-targeted radiation but also enhances immune engagement to improve treatment outcomes.

TAE Life Sciences is currently the only company offering an integrated BNCT platform that combines its Alphabeam accelerator-based neutron system with a pipeline of proprietary boron drug candidates. The company is exploring strategic collaborations to further evaluate BNCT in combination treatment settings and expand its clinical applications.