Polyvalent saccharide-functionalized generation 3 poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-methotrexate conjugate as a potential anticancer agent

Bioorg Med Chem. 2011 Apr 15;19(8):2557-64. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2011.03.019. Epub 2011 Mar 12.

Abstract

A saccharide-terminated generation 3 (G3) polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer was synthesized as a drug carrier. Utilizing this dendritic platform, we have successfully synthesized polyvalent conjugates (G3-MTX) containing the drug methotrexate (MTX). Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) results showed that G3-MTX presented three orders of magnitude enhancement in binding avidity to folate-binding protein (FBP) as compared to the free folic acid (FA). Flow cytometric and confocal microscopic analysis showed that conjugate (G3-MTX-FI) containing imaging agent fluorescein-5(6)-carboxamidohexanoic acid (FI) was internalized into folate receptor (FR)-expressing KB cells in dose-dependent and receptor-mediated fashion. The G3-MTX induced a dose-dependent cytotoxicity in the KB cells. Therefore, the polyvalent G3-MTX may have potential as an anticancer nanodevice for the specific targeting and killing of FR-expressing tumor cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage
  • Carbohydrates
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dendrimers / chemistry*
  • Dendrimers / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Carriers / chemical synthesis*
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Folate Receptor 1
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage*
  • Polyamines
  • Protein Binding / drug effects

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Carbohydrates
  • Dendrimers
  • Drug Carriers
  • FOLR1 protein, human
  • Folate Receptor 1
  • Polyamines
  • Methotrexate