Dendrimers in Oncology: An Expanding Horizon

Dendrimers are gaining significance as a major source for treating cancer patients. Dendrimers are synthetic macromolecules with a tree-like well-defined branched structure. Their specific architecture and flexibility in modifying it in numerous ways has been considered as an active area of research for cancer treatment. Significant advancements have been made in the application of biocompatible dendrimers to cancer treatment, including their use as delivery systems for major anticancer drugs, such as cisplatin and doxorubicin. Bifunctional polyamidoamine (PAMAM)-based dendrimers that selectively target cancer cells are also being used for cancer treatment. Some of the significant applications of such dendrimers, include solubility enhancement, MRI contrast agents, neutron capture therapy, gene therapy, drug delivery, nanocomposites, and photodyanamic therapy.