Recent advances in PAMAM dendrimer-based CT contrast agents for molecular imaging and theranostics of cancer

Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Dendrimers with Antibacterial Activities on Model Lipid Membranes

In the last decades, numerous dendrimers with a variety of potential biomedical applications have been developed and investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of interaction between two dendrimers with proven antibacterial activity (4-N,N-dimethylamino-1,8-naphthalimide (Dab) and 3-bromo-Dab (Dab-Br)) and POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine) model membranes (monolayers and liposomes). The pressure-area isotherms and the compressional modulus of the monolayers revealed that Dab is likely to penetrate the hydrophobic region of POPC, whereas Dab-Br inserts mainly into the lipid headgroup area. This assumption was confirmed by FTIR-ATR of POPC liposomes containing Dab and Dab-Br dendrimers. In addition, Dab induced a higher lipid order in POPC large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) compared to Dab-Br. Moreover, both dendrimers changed the negative zeta potential of POPC vesicles to positive values, with slightly higher effect of Dab-Br, indicating electrostatic interactions between the lipid headgroups and dendrimers. Furthermore, Dab was able to reduce the average POPC LUVs' size, unlike Dab-Br. The visualization of giant unilamellar vesicles revealed that the increasing dendrimer concentration induced model membrane shrinking and complete disintegration, which was more prominent for Dab. Based on the experimental results, new fundamental knowledge about the destabilizing effect of dendrimers on model lipid membranes will be acquired with a focus on their application in pharmacology and clinical practice.

Hyaluronic acid-functionalized nanomedicines for CD44-receptors-mediated targeted cancer therapy: A review of selective targetability and biodistribution to tumor microenvironment

Cancer is a leading cause of death globally, driven by late diagnoses, aggressive progression, and multidrug resistance (MDR). Advances in nanotechnology are tackling these challenges, paving the way for transformative cancer treatments. Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as promising platforms due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and natural targeting capabilities via CD44 (cluster of differentiation 44) receptors. Functionalizing NPs with HA enhances cellular uptake through CD44, improves pharmacokinetics, tumor localization, and anticancer efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of HA-based NPs, highlighting their potential to address limitations in cancer treatment and inspire further innovation. The targeting efficiency of HA-based NPs can be further optimized by integrating passive (e.g., PEGylation), active (e.g., ligand conjugation), and stimuli-responsive mechanisms (e.g., pH, redox, light, enzyme activity, and temperature sensitivity). These NPs also enable therapeutic combinations, such as co-delivery of chemotherapeutics with gene therapies (e.g., siRNA) and integration of photothermal and photodynamic therapies, alongside immune checkpoint inhibitors, amplifying therapeutic synergy. Despite promising preclinical results, challenges such as scalability, stability, long-term safety, ethical and regulatory hurdles, and high costs persist. Nonetheless, HA-based NPs represent a cutting-edge approach, combining biocompatibility, precision targeting, and multimodal functionality to combat cancer effectively, while mitigating side effects.

Advances in Dendritic Systems and Dendronized Nanoparticles: Paradigm Shifts in Cancer Targeted Therapy and Diagnostics

Cancer has emerged as a global health crisis, claiming millions of lives annually. Dendrimers and dendronized nanoparticles, a novel class of nanoscale molecules with highly branched three-dimensional macromolecular structures, have gained significant attention in cancer treatment and diagnosis due to their unique properties. These dendritic macromolecules offer a precisely controlled branching architecture, enabling functionalization with specific targeting molecules to enhance the selective delivery of therapeutic agents to tumor cells while minimizing systemic toxicity. Through surface modifications and the incorporation of various components, dendrimers demonstrate remarkable adaptability as nanocarriers for biomedical imaging and theranostic applications. Surface functionalization strategies, including PEGylation and ligand attachment (e.g., folic acid, RGD peptide, lactobionic acid), further enhance biocompatibility and facilitate targeted tumor cell imaging. Leveraging their improved biocompatibility and target specificity, dendritic nanosystems offer heightened sensitivity and precision in cancer diagnostics. Notably, the encapsulation of metal nanoparticles within dendrimers, such as gold nanoparticles, has shown promise in enhancing tumor imaging capabilities. Ongoing advancements in nanotechnology are poised to increase the sophistication and complexity of dendrimer-based systems, highlighting their potential as nanocarriers in drug delivery platforms, with a growing number of clinical trials on the horizon. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the potential and future prospects of dendrimers and dendrimer-based nanocarriers in targeted cancer therapy and diagnosis, exploring their ability to enhance biocompatibility, reduce toxicity, and improve therapeutic outcomes across various malignancies.