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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 March 2011
Dendrimer nanocomposites (DNC) are hybrid nanoparticles formed by the dispersion and immobilization of guest atoms or small clusters in dendrimer matrices. They have a great potential in biomedical applications due to their controlled composition, predetermined size, shape and surface functionalities. In this work, nanocomposites of gold and poly(amidoamine) dendrimers {Au(0)n-PAMAM} have been selected to demonstrate this nanoparticle based concept. {Au(0)n-PAMAM} gold dendrimer nanocomposites with a well-defined size have been synthesized and imaged by TEM both in vitro and in vivo. Dendrimer nanocomposites have also the potential to be used as drug delivery vehicles either utilizing bioactive guests or incorporating radioactive isotopes. Radioactive dendrimer nanocomposites, e.g. {198-Au}, can be delivered to the tumor either by means of injecting the active nanoparticles directly into the tumor microvasculature or by intravenous injection. Both specific or non-specific targeting can be utilized in this process to achieve appropriate transfer.