Dendrimers are polymers with well-defined 3D branched structures that are vastly utilized in various neurotheranostics and biomedical applications, particularly as nanocarrier vectors. Imaging agents can be loaded into dendrimers to improve the accuracy of diagnostic imaging processes. Likewise, combining pharmaceutical agents and anticancer drugs with dendrimers can enhance their solubility, biocompatibility, and efficiency. Practically, by modifying ligands on the surface of dendrimers, effective therapeutic and diagnostic platforms can be constructed and implemented for targeted delivery. Dendrimer-based nanocarriers also show great potential in gene delivery. Since enzymes can degrade genetic materials during their blood circulation, dendrimers exhibit promising packaging and delivery alternatives, particularly for central nervous system (CNS) treatments. The DNA and RNA encapsulated in dendrimers represented by polyamidoamine that are used for targeted brain delivery, via chemical-structural adjustments and appropriate generation, significantly improve the correlation between transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity. This article reports a comprehensive review of dendrimers' structures, synthesis processes, and biological applications. Recent progress in diagnostic imaging processes and therapeutic applications for cancers and other CNS diseases are presented. Potential challenges and future directions in the development of dendrimers, which provide the theoretical basis for their broader applications in healthcare, are also discussed.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smll.202203629 | DOI Listing |
Mol Biotechnol
January 2025
Noncommunicable Disease Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.
Despite significant advancements in gene delivery and CRISPR technology, several challenges remain. Chief among these are overcoming serum inhibition and achieving high transfection efficiency with minimal cytotoxicity. To address these issues, there is a need for novel vectors that exhibit lower toxicity, maintain stability in serum-rich environments, and effectively deliver plasmids of various sizes across diverse cell types.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Pharm
January 2025
Centre for Transgenic Plant Development, Department of Biotechnology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India. Electronic address:
Malaria remains the fifth deadliest parasitic infection worldwide, despite significant advancements in technology. A major challenge in combating this disease lies in the growing resistance of malaria parasites to antimalarial drugs and insect vectors to insecticides. The emerging inefficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) further exacerbates the issue.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTheranostics
January 2025
Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, particularly due to the limited effectiveness of current therapeutic options for advanced-stage disease. The efficacy of traditional treatments is often compromised by the intricate liver microenvironment and the inherent heterogeneity. RNA-based therapeutics offer a promising alternative, utilizing the innovative approach of targeting aberrant molecular pathways and modulating the tumor microenvironment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPharmaceutics
December 2024
Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.
The effectiveness of paclitaxel (PTX) in treating non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is restricted by its poor pharmacokinetic profile and side effects. This limitation stems from the lack of a suitable delivery vector to efficiently target cancer cells. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop an efficient carrier for the optimised delivery of PTX in NSCLC therapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSmall Methods
January 2025
Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
Achieving safe and efficient gene therapy hinges upon the inspection of genomes enclosed within individual nano-carriers to mitigate potential health risks associated with empty or fragment-filled vectors. Here solid-state nanopore sensing is reported for identifications of intermediate adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors in liquid. The method exploits the phenomenon of translocation slowdown induced by the viscosity of salt water-organic mixtures.
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