Optimization of dendrimer structure for sentinel lymph node imaging: Effects of generation and terminal group

In this study, the optimal dendrimer structure in imaging of the sentinel lymph node, the first lymph node draining tumor cells, was elucidated by using various dendrimers of different generations and different terminal groups. Carboxyl-terminal dendrimers of larger than 6 nm were accumulated in the sentinel lymph node, and, sentinel lymph node detection was successfully performed by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging using these dendrimers.106