Dendrimer-based nanoparticles in cancer chemotherapy and gene therapy

This review discusses recent studies on dendrimer-based nanoparticles in cancer chemotherapy and gene therapy. In order to achieve the high efficacy and low side effects of chemotherapy and gene therapy, it is essential to combine the unique features of dendrimers and the specific tumor microenvironment to target delivery and control release of therapeutic agents to tumor tissues and cells. Strategies to design the dendrimer-based delivery system in this review include non-modified dendrimers, dendrimer conjugates, assembled amphiphilic dendrimers, nanohybrid dendrimer carriers and dendrimers with inherent activity. In addition, specific functional groups on these dendrimers as stimuli-responsive system for targeting delivery and controlled release of therapeutic agents are discussed.