Professor Vasco Bonifácio (DBE, iBB), in collaboration with researchers from NOVA Medical School and IPOLFG, published a study in Discover Oncology on the potential of core-shell polycationic polyurea dendrimers as a therapeutic strategy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The work shows that the response to these dendrimers depends on the tumour genetic background, particularly the mutational status of EGFR and KRAS.

The results show that the EGFREx19Del mutation confers resistance to the PURE_G4-OEI₄₈ dendrimer, associated with activation of the ERK-MAPK pathway. However, combining it with gefitinib reversed this effect, increased cellular sensitivity, enhanced cell death, and reduced tumour area in a CAM model (chick chorioallantoic membrane) derived from PC-9 cells. These findings highlight the translational potential of integrating membrane-targeted nanotherapeutics with anti-EGFR therapies for NSCLC treatment. See more.