Selective neuropeptide Y conjugates with maximized carborane loading as promising boron delivery agents for boron neutron capture therapy

G protein-coupled receptors like the human Y1 receptor (hY1R) are promising targets in cancer therapy due to their high overexpression on cancer cells and their ability to internalize together with the bound ligand. This mechanism was exploited to shuttle boron atoms into cancer cells for the application of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a non-invasive approach to eliminate cancer cells. A maximized number of carboranes was introduced to the hY1R preferring ligand [F7,P34]-NPY by solid phase peptide synthesis. Branched conjugates loaded with up to 80 boron atoms per peptide molecule exhibited a maintained receptor activation profile and the selective uptake into hY1R-expressing cells was demonstrated by internalization studies. In order to ensure appropriate solubility in aqueous solution we proved the need for eight hydroxyl-groups per carborane. Thus, we suggest the utilization of bis-deoxygalactosyl-carborane building blocks in solid phase peptide synthesis to produce selective boron delivery ag...