Targeting liposomes to tumor endothelial cells for neutron capture therapy

Abstract

The aim of our work is to target 10B to the tumor vasculature for neutron capture therapy (NCT). Alpha (v)-integrin specific RGD-peptides were coupled to liposomes that encapsulated dodecahydrododecaborate. These RGD-liposomes strongly associated with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) expressing this integrin and were internalized. Proliferating HUVEC proved sensitive to treatment with gamma-irradiation resulting in decreased cell viability and pronounced inhibition of DNA-synthesis with increasing dose. Irradiation of RGD- 10B-liposome incubated HUVEC with neutrons strongly inhibited endothelial cell viability. These results suggest that efficient NCT can be achieved by targeting 10B-liposomes to angiogenic endothelium in tumors.