PEGylated dendrimers for precision cancer therapy: Advances in tumor targeting, drug delivery, and clinical translation

PEGylated dendrimers have emerged as highly adaptable nanocarriers for targeted cancer therapy, offering exceptional control over size, surface functionality, and drug loading. The covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains to dendrimer surfaces improves biocompatibility, enhances circulation time, and minimizes immune clearance, facilitating passive tumor targeting through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. These engineered nanosystems allow for precise encapsulation or conjugation of chemotherapeutic agents, nucleic acids, and imaging probes, with tunable release profiles. Functionalization with tumor-specific ligands further enables active targeting, improving cellular uptake and minimizing systemic toxicity. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of PEGylated dendrimers in delivering anticancer payloads across various malignancies including breast, brain, liver, and lung cancers while reducing off-target effects. Their combinatorial use with gene therapy, immunotherapy, or photothermal agents further enhances therapeutic outcomes. This review discusses the structural design, functional modifications, and translational progress of PEGylated dendrimers, highlighting their potential as next-generation platforms for personalized and clinically relevant cancer nanomedicine.