The Spicy Science of Dendrimers in the Realm of Cancer Nanomedicine: A Report from the COST Action CA17140 Nano2Clinic

Abstract

COST Action CA17140 Cancer Nanomedicine—from the bench to the bedside (Nano2Clinic,) is the first, pan-European interdisciplinary network of representatives from academic institutions and small and medium enterprises including clinical research organizations (CROs) devoted to the development of nanosystems carrying anticancer drugs from their initial design, preclinical testing of efficacy, pharmacokinetics and toxicity to the preparation of detailed protocols needed for the first phase of their clinical studies. By promoting scientific exchanges, technological implementation, and innovative solutions, the action aims at providing a timely instrument to rationalize and focus research efforts at the European level in dealing with the grand challenge of nanomedicine translation in cancer, one of the major and societal-burdening human pathologies. Within CA17140, dendrimers in all their forms (from covalent to self-assembling dendrons) play a vital role as powerful nanotheranostic agents in oncology; therefore, the purpose of this review work is to gather and summarize the major results in the field stemming from collaborative efforts in the framework of the European Nano2Clinic COST Action.

Metallo-Glycodendrimeric Materials against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

“…It is known that certain glycodendrimers carrying metal cations have a hydrophobic tail able to penetrate the cell or facilitate their attachment to the bacterial wall [37,38], changing the membrane permeability by making it porous, and leading to cell lysis. The positive charge of metal cations or of the carbohydrate terminal group and the amphiphilicity alongside the dynamic self-assembling of glycodendrimers are enrolled in their antibacterial activity [39][40][41][42][43][44]. The appearance of pores on the membrane may allow the diffusion of glycodendrimers into the cell, where the carbohydrate terminal groups bind with sulfur and phosphorus-containing proteins, leading to their inactivation and with DNA [45].…”

Dendrimers for Drug Delivery: Where Do We Stand in 2023?

“…This Special Issue of Pharmaceutics entitled “Dendrimers for drug delivery” assembles both reviews and research papers focused on distinct aspects of dendrimer applications in healthcare and written by recognized experts in the field. The reviews highlight the use of dendrimers in the diagnostics and therapy of Alzheimer’s disease [ 1 ], the development of dendrimer-based formulations for DNA and RNA vaccines [ 2 ], and dendrimer-mediated cancer nanomedicine [ 3 ]. The latter review is particularly interesting as it summarizes the activities of a huge international consortium, NANO2CLINIC, dealing with cancer nanomedicine oriented on the application of dendritic molecules.…”