Dendrimer-mediated approaches for the treatment of brain tumor

J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2016;27(7):557-80. doi: 10.1080/09205063.2015.1133155. Epub 2016 Feb 29.

Abstract

Worldwide, the cancer appeared as one of the most leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Among the various cancer types, brain tumors are most life threatening with low survival rate. Every year approximately 238,000 new cases of brain and other central nervous system tumors are diagnosed. The dendrimeric approaches have a huge potential for diagnosis and treatment of brain tumor with targeting abilities of molecular cargoes to the tumor sites and the efficiency of crossing the blood brain barrier and penetration to brain after systemic administration. The various generations of dendrimers have been designed as novel targeted drug delivery tools for new therapies including sustained drug release, gene therapy, and antiangiogenic activities. At present era, various types of dendrimers like PAMAM, PPI, and PLL dendrimers validated them as milestones for the treatment and diagnosis of brain tumor as well as other cancers. This review highlights the recent research, opportunities, advantages, and challenges involved in development of novel dendrimeric complex for the therapy of brain tumor.

Keywords: Blood brain barrier; brain targeting; dendrimers; transfection.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / drug effects
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Dendrimers* / chemical synthesis
  • Dendrimers* / chemistry
  • Dendrimers* / toxicity
  • Drug Carriers* / chemical synthesis
  • Drug Carriers* / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers* / toxicity
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy

Substances

  • Dendrimers
  • Drug Carriers