Professors Nuno Bernardes, Sandra Pinto and Vasco Bonifácio (DBE, iBB) published in Biomaterials Science the synthesis and study of the intrinsic anticancer activity of two polycationic core–shell biodendrimers, PURE_G4-OEI₄₈ and PURE_G4-OCEI₂₄. These biodendrimers were designed as synthetic mimics of anticancer peptides (SMACPs).

Evaluation of their activity in several cancer cell lines showed that PURE_G4-OEI₄₈ compromises cell membrane integrity, interacts with mitochondria, and induces apoptosis, as evidenced by Annexin V⁺/PI⁺ cells after incubation at the IC₅₀ concentration. In contrast, PURE_G4-OCEI₂₄, which is more hydrophobic and less cationic, exhibits cytotoxic effects and inhibits cell migration (wound-healing assay) after 24 h, suggesting a mechanism partially associated with cell necrosis. Both biodendrimers act on the mitochondrial membrane, activating distinct cell death pathways. See more.