Targeting <scp>TNBC</scp> : core–shell polycationic polyurea dendrimers with inherent anticancer activity
Breast carcinoma (BC) is the most common malignancy in women, with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) making up 10-20% of cases. TNBC has limited targeted therapies and poor survival due to late diagnosis and metastasis. Dendrimers are precise nanostructures with a three-dimensional globular architecture designed to target the negatively charged membranes of cancer cells. This study evaluated the anticancer potential of two novel core-shell polycationic polyurea (PURE) dendrimers, PURE<sub>G4</sub>-OEI<sub>48</sub> and PURE<sub>G4</sub>-OCEI<sub>24</sub>, targeting BC cell membranes. Both dendrimers selectively interacted with TNBC cells, inducing apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis. In vivo, they reduced tumor volume in HCC1806 xenografts, with PURE<sub>G4</sub>-OEI<sub>48</sub> showing no toxicity, while PURE<sub>G4</sub>-OCEI<sub>24</sub> induced mild hepatic toxicity. These results suggest PURE dendrimers are promising TNBC treatments, with further modifications needed to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity.
Authors
- José C. Ramalho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7639-7214)
- Saudade André (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0602-827X)
- Cindy Mendes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8808-5082)
- Fernanda P. Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8280-4819)
- Bruna Abreu
- Jacinta Serpa
- Catarina Freitas‐Dias
- Adriana Cruz
- Filipe Gonçalves
- Vasco D. B. Bonifácio
Institutions
- Instituto Português de Oncologia de Coimbra Francisco Gentil (PT)
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (PT)
- Universidade Nova de Lisboa (PT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- FEBS Open Bio
- Published
- 2026-03-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/2211-5463.70144
- Primary Topic
- Dendrimers and Hyperbranched Polymers
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00