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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.04.02.646946

Boosting Antitumour Efficacy and Immunity by Boron Neutron Capture Therapy with Size-Controlled Nanoparticles

Huang, W.·Kang, H. G.·Han, X.·Yu, J.·Chen, X.·Takata, T.·Sakurai, Y.·Suzuki, M.·Komatsu, N.
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Abstract

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is emerging cancer radiotherapy requiring 10B sensitizer. Although boronophenylalanine (BPA)-BNCT is approved clinically in Japan, the low tumour selectivity and retentivity result in the long-time infusion of high doses. Based on our finding of the size-controllable mechanochemical synthesis of boron-10 carbide nanoparticles (10B4C NPs), the 50 nm size NPs grafted with poly(glycerol), {superscript 1}BC(50)-PG, is found to show superior tumour selectivity and retentivity to enhance the eradication efficacy at much lower dosage (5 mg [10B] / kg (mouse)). The dosage is further reduced by twice neutron irradiation or combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). Antitumour immunity is found to be boosted by {superscript 1}BC(50)-PG-BNCT to induce abscopal effect to treat remote or metastatic tumours and long-term memory to prevent cancer recurrence. Additionally, minimal side effects and gradual NP excretion are observed for one year. The 10B4C(50)-PG is concluded to be a promising 10B carrier for clinical application of BNCT due to the prominent antitumour efficacy and immune-activation with minimal toxicity.

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Huang, W., Kang, H. G., Han, X., Yu, J., Chen, X., Takata, T., Sakurai, Y., Suzuki, M., Komatsu, N.. 2025-04-03. Boosting Antitumour Efficacy and Immunity by Boron Neutron Capture Therapy with Size-Controlled Nanoparticles. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.04.02.646946

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