Targeting cancer cells with DNA-assembled dendrimers: a mix and match strategy for cancer.

The unique biology of cancer requires the development of a multifunctional drug delivery system which can be efficiently manufactured to target subtle molecular alterations that distinguish a cancer cells from the many types of healthy cells found in the body. We sought to produce dendrimers conjugated to different bio-functional moieties [fluorescein (FITC) and folic acid (FA)], then link them together using complementary DNA oligonucleotides to produce clustered molecules that target cancer cells that over-express the high affinity folate receptor. This study demonstrates a unique molecular platform based on the DNA-directed assembly of dendritic polymers for the delivery of different agents to cancer cells. While only nanometers in diameter (the size of proteins), this DNA-linked dendrimer nanocluster platform is considered to allows for the delivery of drugs, genetic materials, and imaging agents to cancer cells, offering the potential for developing combinatorial therapeutics.