title: Targeting cancer cells with DNA-assembled dendrimers: a mix and match strategy for cancer.
abstract: The unique biology of cancer requires the development of a multifunctional drug delivery system which can be efficiently manufactured to target subtle molecular alterations that distinguish a cancer cells from the many types of healthy cells found in the body. We sought to produce dendrimers conjugated to different bio-functional moieties [fluorescein (FITC) and folic acid (FA)], then link them together using complementary DNA oligonucleotides to produce clustered molecules that target cancer cells that over-express the high affinity folate receptor. This study demonstrates a unique molecular platform based on the DNA-directed assembly of dendritic polymers for the delivery of different agents to cancer cells. While only nanometers in diameter (the size of proteins), this DNA-linked dendrimer nanocluster platform is considered to allows for the delivery of drugs, genetic materials, and imaging agents to cancer cells, offering the potential for developing combinatorial therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Center for Biologic Nanotechnology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0648, USA.
authors.forename: Youngseon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / Q000378:metabolism; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D050091:Dendrimers; D004337:Drug Carriers; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D005492:Folic Acid; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate