June 18th, 2015

Iranian researchers studied the effect of application of a type of polymer as the carrier of anticancer drugs.

This dendrimer can be loaded with various types of medical molecules. The application of this polymer may be effective in decreasing the side effects of the drugs and in increasing their therapeutically effects.

Preventing the growth and stopping the high and unusual proliferation of cells in the tissues of cancerous cells are the main mechanism of the majority of drugs used in chemotherapy. In addition, a number of healthy tissues (such as blood cells, follicle cells of hair and many of cells in digestive system) have quick growth and proliferation in comparison with other tissues. Therefore, these tissues become the target of drugs like tumor tissues, and side effects of chemotherapy appear in the patient’s body.
In the recent decade, polymeric nanostructures have been known as appropriate carriers for the controlled release of drugs. The drug is attached to the polymer structure through chemical bonds in these structures, or it is physically loaded in the polymer matrix. Among the polymeric carriers, dendrimers are known as the best nanostructured carriers for the drugs due to their unique properties.
This research studied the results obtained from linear-dendrimer nanostructures containing anticancer drugs, drug release properties and their effectiveness on cancer cells in laboratorial and living systems. Probable side effects of the nanocarriers have been investigated too.
Based on the results, the use of linear-dendrimer copolymer systems modifies the release of drug in the target tissue, prevents the entrance of the drug into the healthy tissues, decreases side effects and increases the effectiveness of the drug at low dosages.