Functionalized Boron Carbide Nanoparticles as Active Boron Delivery Agents Dedicated to Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

• DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s516534
• Publication Date: 2025-05-23T16:00:11Z
• Authors: Anna Rudawska; Bożena Szermer-Ol...; Agnieszka Szczygieł; Jagoda Mierzejewska; Katarzyna Węgiere...; Paulina Żeliszewska; Dawid Kozień; Monika Chaszczews...; Zbigniew Adamczyk; Piotr Rusiniak; Katarzyna Wątor; Andrzej Rapak; Zbigniew Pędzich; Elżbieta Pajtasz-...
• Keywords: Boron carbide; Neutron capture

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a promising targeted radiotherapy that enables the treatment of cancers at cellular level. The crucial aspect BNCT are boron carriers, which should selectively reach cancer cells by delivering high concentrations boron. Therefore, we propose use carbide (B4C) nanoparticles functionalized with antibodies directed against receptors overexpressed in cells, such as low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and epidermal growth factor (EGFR). Hydrodynamic diameter measurements confirmed stability B4C culture media during biological tests lasting up to 72 hours. toxicity was assessed using MTT assay BrdU cell cycle on three types (PC-3, T98G, SCC-25) different levels LDLR EGFR surface expression. uptake based flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, holotomography. were quantified via ICP-MS. Functionalized showed even 2-fold higher interaction SCC-25 characterized highest expression both than PC-3 T98G cells. Holotomographic imaging greater intracellular compared unmodified B4C, providing further evidence for selective targeting ICP-MS analyses anti-LDLR most effective concentration Particularly 9.58 ± 2.6 mg/L per million these associated decrease viability 63% slight reduction percentage S phase after 24-hour exposure. Stable complexes antibody-functionalized successfully obtained, demonstrating increased tropism towards overexpressing EGFR.