Nanomedicine Journal

Nanomedicine Journal

Metformin-copper-dendrimer: a new nanotherapeutic agent for diabetic breast cancer studies

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Kimia Esmaeilzadeh 1
Farinaz Khalatbari 2
Sepehr Ashrafi 3
Mohammad Seyedahmzeh 2
SeyedEsmaiel Sadat Ebrahimi 2
Mehdi Shafiee Ardestani 2, 4
1 Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
2 Department of Radio Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Ramsar Campus, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Ramsar, Iran
4 Research Center for Nuclear Medicine, Shariati Hospital, North Kargar Ave. 1411713135, Tehran, Iran
10.22038/nmj.2026.81697.2032
Abstract
Objective(s): Design and test a metformin–copper–anionic linear dendrimer theranostic complex for breast cancer.
Materials and Methods: Dendrimer–copper complex was synthesized and attached to the metformin. The physicochemical characterizations comprised FTIR, DLS, TEM and XPS. MTT assay and Annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometry were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity and apoptosis in 4T1 breast cancer cells. Nanocomplex was labeled with technetium-99m for SPECT imaging and biodistribution studies in tumor bearing BALB/c mice.
Results: The reported hydrodynamic diameter was 26 nm for the dendrimer, 90 nm for the Cu incorporated dendrimer and 95 nm for the metformin conjugated dendrimer and final zeta potential was found to be around +3 mV. The average particle diameter was determined using TEM, which was 36.94 ± 6.33 nm. The viability of 4T1 cells was lower in the concentration of the metformin-containing nanocomplex than in the concentration of the copper–dendrimer complex. Imaging and biodistribution experiments showed that the radiolabeled nanocomplex localized on tumor.
Conclusion: Metformin–copper–dendrimer system exhibited in vitro antitumor activity and tumor localization in mice, suggesting its potential in the further research as a theranostic agent against breast cancer.
Keywords
Breast cancer
Copper
Dendrimer
Metformin
Nanotheranostics
SPECT imaging
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Nanomedicine Journal

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 31 October 2026