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One the most common types of leukemia is chronic lymphocytic leukemia. To find the right treatment for an individual patient with that disease is a challenging task and many patients develop a resistance against the existing drugs. The purpose of the research presented by BRIGITTE VOIT in this video is to find new drugs that reduce cancer cells while not destroying other cells in the body. The researchers created two versions of organic molecules called dendrimers, differentiated by type of shell, and compared their effect to that of the commercial drug Fludarabine. The findings are highly relevant for treatment of leukemia: Both types of dendrimers destroy leukemia cells but one of them is more active against cancer cells and at the same time less harmful for healthy cells than Fludarabine. Moreover, the dendrimers have an effect on leukemia cells that are resistant to commonly used treatments.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21036/LTPUB10276

Researcher

Brigitte Voit is the Chief Scientific Officer of the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research in Dresden (Germany). Moreover, Voit is the head of the IPF Institute Macromolecular Chemistry and a faculty member of the Natural Sciences/Department for Chemistry at Technical University Dresden.

Voit’s research extends beyond that of polymer research, into the field of leukemia treatment. She seeks to outline more effective treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, defying the development of drug resistance.

Institution

Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden

The Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (IPF) is one of the largest polymer research facilities in Germany. As an institute of the Leibniz Association, the IPF is committed to carrying out application-oriented fundamental research and receives its basic funding in equal parts from the federal and state governments. The approach is holistic, covering synthesis and modification of polymer materials, their characterization and theoretical investigation, up to processing and testing. A special feature of the institute’s activities is the close cooperation of scientists and engineers and a broad range of modern instruments and methods are available including pilot plants allowing material and technology development under industry-relevant conditions. The research focus is on materials problems and needs which can be approached by control of interface-related properties as well as interactions at interfaces and surfaces. A deep understanding of techniques and processes as well as of underlying physical aspects shall provide the basis to develop long-term concepts for technological implementation and applications of new polymer materials. The topics dealt with at the institute are highly future-oriented. They include development of materials, technologies, and systems which are crucial to guarantee the strength of Germany’s economy also in future and to ensure both quality of living and sustainability. The polymer materials address innovations for further development in, e. g., medicine, transport and mobility, as well as energy efficiency and advanced communication technologies. The institute's profile is determined by four strategic topics that are approached in close collaboration of all departments of the institute. Functional nanostructured interfaces and polymer systems Biology-inspired interface and material design Polymer networks: Structure, theory, and application Process-controlled structure formation in polymer materials Based on these topics the IPF is linked with leading research groups in Germany and worldwide, but, first of all, it is part of the powerful network of research institutions in Dresden and a very active member of DRESDEN concept (Source: IPFDD).
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Original publication

Dendrimer-Based Nanoparticles for Potential Personalized Therapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Targeting the BCR-Signaling Pathway

Franiak-Pietryga Ida, Maciejewski Henryk, Ostrowska Kinga, Appelhans Dietmar, Voit Brigitte, Misiewicz Małgorzata, Kowalczyk Paweł, Bryszewska Maria and Borowiec Maciej
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Published in 2016

Reading recommendations

The Influence of Maltotriose-Modified Poly (Propylene Imine) Dendrimers on the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells in Vitro: Dense Shell G4 PPI

Franiak-Pietryga Ida, Appelhans Dietmar, Voit Brigitte, Bryszewska Maria, Ziółkowska Ewelina, Ziemba Barbara, Szewczyk Michał, Góra-Tybor Joanna, Robak Tadeusz and Klajnert Barbara
Molecular Pharmaceutics
Published in 2013

Toxicity and Proapoptotic Activity of Poly (Propylene Imine) Glycodendrimers in Vitro: Considering their Contrary Potential as Biocompatible Entity and Drug Molecule in Cancer

Franiak-Pietryga Ida, Appelhans Dietmar, Voit Brigitte, Bryszewska Maria, Ziemba Barbara, Pion Marjorie, Munoz-Fernández Maria Ángeles and Klajnert-Maculewicz Barbara
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
Published in 2014

Oligosaccharide-Modified Poly (Propyleneimine) Dendrimers: Synthesis, Structure Determination and Cu II Complexation

Appelhans Dietmar, Voit Brigitte, Zhong Yong, Komber Hartmut, Friedel Peter, Oertel Ulrich, Scheler Ulrich, Morgner Nina, Kuckling Dirk, Richter Sven, Seidel Jürgen and Brutschy Bernhard
Macromolecular Bioscience
Published in 2007

Microenvironment Interactions and B-Cell Receptor Signaling in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Implications for Disease Pathogenesis and Treatment

Ten Hacken Elisa and Burger Jan A.
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular Cell Research
Published in 2016

Targeted Therapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Past, Present and Future

Danilov Alexey V.
Clinical Therapeutics
Published in 2013

Targeting Inflammatory Pathways in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Rozovski Uri, Keating Michael J. and Estrov Zeev
Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
Published in 2013

Dendrimer-Based Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy

Baker James R.
Hematology 1
Published in 2009

The Biodistribution of Maltotriose Modified Poly (Propylene Imine) (PPI) Dendrimers Conjugated with Fluorescein-Proofs of Crossing Blood-Brain-Barrier

Voit Brigitte, Klajnert-Maculewicz Barbara, Barbara Ziemba, Karol Ciepluch, Dietmar Appelhans, Maria Bryszewska and Janaszewska Anna
New Journal of Chemistry
Published in 2012

Dense Shell Glycodendrimers as Potential Nontoxic Anti-Amyloidogenic Agents in Alzheimer’s Disease. Amyloid–Dendrimer Aggregates Morphology and Cell Toxicity

Appelhans Dietmar, Voit Brigitte, Klementieva Oxana, Benseny-Cases Núria, Gella Alejandro and Cladera Josep
Biomacromolecules
Published in 2011
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Beyond