A novel polymer (PEG2000-carborane), self-assembling into spherical vesicles (boron-containing vesicles, BCVs), could be quickly taken up by tumor cells and had an enhance stability in the bloodstream in previous study. To have more comprehensive understanding of BCVs, endocytic mechanism and cytotoxicity assessment were conducted. The results showed that BCVs were taken up in the intact form with cholesterol-dependent pathway during endocytosis, and BCVs exhibited nearly no cytotoxicity. BCVs could accumulate within tumors for at least 24 h. The data would provide reference information and guidance for BCVs' multifunctional application serving as a boron delivery agent for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic drug carrier and a diagnostic imaging fluorescent probe.
Keywords: boron-containing vesicle (BCV); cytotoxicity; endocytic mechanism.