A novel reduction-responsive porphyrin monomer bearing a disulfide bond (TPPC6SAM) was synthesized, and then it was utilized to construct a series of POEGMA-b-PTPPC6SAM block copolymers via reversible additionefragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization with water-soluble and biocompatible monomer, oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA). POEGMA-b-PTPPC6SAM block copolymers could self-assemble into spherical micelles and vesicles by varying the mass ratio of hydrophilic block to hydrophobic block. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and flow cytometry showed that POEGMA-b-PTPPC6SAM micelles could effectively accumulate in A549 cells, compared to that of free porphyrin. In addition, minimal dark toxicity and efficacious photo-toxicity in vitro were also evaluated by MTT assay. According to the result of MTT assay, POEGMA-b-PTPPC6SAM block copolymers had a higher photo-toxicity with a lower IC50 (below 3 mu g/mL). Thus, reduction-responsive POEGMA-b-PTPPC6SAM block copolymers could well improve the release of porphyrin photosensitizers and enhance the efficiency of PDT. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.