Design and development of dendrimers as oral drug delivery carriers

Oral delivery of macromolecular therapeutics has remained a challenge. Various factors govern principles of oral absorption, including solubility, tissue permeability, stability and dynamics of the gastrointestinal environment. Developing a macromolecular drug carrier for poorly bioavailable drugs is highly desirable. Dendritic polymers are attractive drug delivery vehicles because of their multifunctional surface groups, globular conformation, branched architecture, low poly dispersity and hydrophilic nature. They also offer traditional benefits of macromolecular systems such as extended plasma residence time and reduced systemic toxicity. Developing a poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimer-based oral drug delivery vehicle is the long-term goal of this research. PAMAM dendrimers can offer advantages in terms of improving solubility and permeability that can ultimately enhance oral absorption of poorly bioavailable drugs. In this dissertation, first the safety and maximum tolerated dose of six different PAMAM dendrimers was studied after oral and systemic administration. Surface charge of these dendrimers significantly influenced their toxicity profile in vivo with cationic systems proving to be more toxic than anionic systems. The inherent permeability of native anionic dendrimers was then evaluated in a mouse model to assess their potential in oral drug delivery. Results suggested that anionic G6.5 dendrimers exhibited appreciable bioavailability with partial degradation observed under in vivo conditions. Subsequently, camptothecin, a model drug used for the treatment of colorectal carcinoma, was attached to PAMAM dendrimers. Antitumor activity revealed that these conjugates were effective in inhibiting growth of cancer cells in vitro. Preliminary efficacy studies conducted in xenograft tumor models also indicated that dendrimer-drug conjugates have potential for oral chemotherapy. Further detailed in vivo studies are needed to demonstrate the utility of PAMAM-drug conjugates for effective and safe delivery of chemotherapeutics by the oral route.