New Era in Biologically Targeted Radiotherapy to Combat Cancer

Join us for this informative podcast as TAE Life Sciences Chief Executive Officer Bruce Bauer, PhD, and Chief Science Officer Kendall Morrison, PhD, discuss the company’s current efforts in developing next-generation boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Boron neutron capture therapy is a non-invasive, biologically targeted radiotherapy for treating invasive, recurrent, and chemo-radioresistant malignant tumors such as brain, head and neck, and melanoma. It was first introduced in the U.S. in the 1950s using boronophenylalanine (BPA) and neutrons derived from the core of a nuclear reactor. BNCT utilizes targeted boron drugs to preferentially deliver boron to tumors, which after undergoing irradiation with neutrons, generates alpha particles and lithium-7 that destroy cancer cells while sparing more distal normal tissue. While the clinical outcomes have been encouraging, the availability of better boron compounds and access to a neutron source have posed a significant barrier to clinical research and adoption of BNCT as a cancer therapy.  

At TAE Life Sciences, we are developing a novel biologically targeted radiotherapy leveraging our new boron drug compounds and compact, accelerator-based neutron source with the goal of one day providing patients with new cancer treatment options. Our drug pipeline includes lead product candidates for indications that have been historically treated with BPA including head and neck, glioblastomas and melanoma cancers. We also have additional cancer indications in earlier-stages of development and are exploring the potential of these drugs outside of BNCT as well. During this podcast episode, we are going to talk about BNCT as an approach to treat malignant tumors, what has held this potential treatment modality back and what is needed to make BNCT a reality.