New Advances in General Biomedical Applications of PAMAM Dendrimers

Author(s)

de Araujo, Renan Vinicius ^[1] ; Santos, Soraya da Silva ^[1] ; Ferreira, Elizabeth Igne ^[1] ; Giarolla, Jeanine ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Pharm, Lab Design & Synth Chemotherapeut Potentially Act, 580 Bldg 13, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: Molecules; v. 23, n. 11 NOV 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 14

Abstract

Dendrimers are nanoscopic compounds, which are monodispersed, and they are generally considered as homogeneous. PAMAM (polyamidoamine) was introduced in 1985, by Donald A. Tomalia, as a new class of polymers, named starburst polymers'. This important contribution of Professor Tomalia opened a new research field involving nanotechnological approaches. From then on, many groups have been using PAMAM for diverse applications in many areas, including biomedical applications. The possibility of either linking drugs and bioactive compounds, or entrapping them into the dendrimer frame can improve many relevant biological properties, such as bioavailability, solubility, and selectivity. Directing groups to reach selective delivery in a specific organ is one of the advanced applications of PAMAM. In this review, structural and safety aspects of PAMAM and its derivatives are discussed, and some relevant applications are briefly presented. Emphasis has been given to gene delivery and targeting drugs, as advanced delivery systems using PAMAM and an incentive for its use on neglected diseases are briefly mentioned. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/21154-7 - First generation polyamidoamine (PAMAM): design and synthesis of a potentially active tuberculosis prodrug
• Grantee: Renan Vinicius de Araujo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 15/19438-1 - Synthesis and studies of bioactive compounds release from dendrimer prodrugs and targeted drugs potentially active in neglected diseases
• Grantee: Jeanine Giarolla Vargas
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants