Dendrimer-Based Macromolecular Conjugate for the Kidney-Directed Delivery of a Multitargeted Sunitinib Analogue

The development of a macromolecular conjugate of a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor is described that can be used for renal-specific delivery into proximal tubular cells. A novel sunitinib analogue, that is, 17864, is conjugated to a NH2-PAMAM-G3 dendrimer via the platinum (II)-based Universal Linkage System (ULS (TM)). The activity of 17864 is retained after coordination to the ULS linker alone or when coupled to NH2-PAMAM-G3. 17864-UlS-NH2-PAMAM-G3 is non-toxic to proximal tubular cells in vitro. After intravenous administration to mice, 17864-UlS-NH2-PAMAM-G3 rapidly and efficiently accumulates in the kidneys. These results are encouraging for future studies focusing on the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of renal diseases.