Synthesis, Self-Assembly of Charge-Reversal Polyester Dendrimers for Cancer Cell Nuclear Drug Delivery

Polyester dendrimer (G4.5-DCA) with charge-reversal ability was synthesized as drug carrier for an anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). Nanoparticles with tunable sizes were prepared with G4.5-DCA(DOX) and PEG-b-PLL through electrostatic self-assembly. The size and morphology of the nanoparticles, drug release kinetics, subcellular distribution and cytotoxicity were characterized. Results showed that the nanoparticles were uniform in size and had pH-sensitive drug release behavior. Once the nanoparticles entered into a cell, they could deliver the drug into the nuclei. The nanoparticles showed superior cytotoxicity against cancer cells over free DOX.