Anticancer Activity of Metal-containing Dendrimers

Abstract

This chapter focused on the development of a new class of transition metal-containing dendrimers and their activities as anticancer agents, as well as providing a historical perspective on the use of metallic moieties in the fight against cancer. The synthesis and the in vitro and in vivo examination of a wide range of transition metal-containing dendrimers were described and organized based on the nature of the transition elements. We started with titanium (a group 4 transition metal), in titanium-containing dendrimers with polyphosphazene cores, then we introduced group 7 (manganese and rhenium), group 8 (iron, ruthenium and osmium), group 9 (rhodium and iridium), group 10 (platinum and palladium) and group 11 metal (copper, silver and gold)-based dendrimers. The tunability of metal-containing dendrimers allowed for a potential increase in specificity towards cancer cells rather than healthy tissue. In addition, the varied mechanisms of action allow for development of new anticancer agents that are not affected by resistance to existing agents such as cisplatin. Not only can these dendrimers be used as antitumour agents both in vitro and in vivo, but some have shown potential for inhibiting the processes that lead to metastasis and therefore for preventing the spread of cancer cells to other tissues.