The objective of this project is the preparation and testing of a multifunctional drug delivery system based on gold nanoparticles and functionalized dendrons (Scheme ), for use in cancer chemotherapy. The functionalized dendrons to be constructed will contain the therapeutic agents (dendrons D and E), a targeting moiety (dendron T) for preferential uptake by tumor cells. At the moment, the group is focusing on pancreatic and prostate cancer.
The in vitro testing will be conducted in collaboration with the Greenebaum Cancer Center Translational Laboratory at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). The targeting properties of the nanovectors will be fisrt evaluated. Antiproliferative activity/cytotoxicity of the nanovectors will be assessed by using the methyltetrazolium (MTT) proliferation assay. Inhibitory concentrations 50 and 100% will be determined.