Crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier: Advances in Nanoparticle Technology for Drug Delivery in Neuro-Oncology.
Andrew M HershSafwan AlomariBetty M TylerPublished in: International journal of molecular sciences (2022)
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) constitutes a microvascular network responsible for excluding most drugs from the brain. Treatment of brain tumors is limited by the impermeability of the BBB and, consequently, survival outcomes for malignant brain tumors remain poor. Nanoparticles (NPs) represent a potential solution to improve drug transport to brain tumors, given their small size and capacity to target tumor cells. Here, we review the unique physical and chemical properties of NPs that aid in BBB transport and discuss mechanisms of NP transport across the BBB, including paracellular transport, carrier-mediated transport, and adsorptive- and receptor-mediated transcytosis. The major types of NPs investigated for treatment of brain tumors are detailed, including polymeric NPs, liposomes, solid lipid NPs, dendrimers, metals, quantum dots, and nanogels. In addition to their role in drug delivery, NPs can be used as imaging contrast agents and can be conjugated with imaging probes to assist in visualizing tumors, demarcating lesion boundaries and margins, and monitoring drug delivery and treatment response. Multifunctional NPs can be designed that are capable of targeting tumors for both imaging and therapeutic purposes. Finally, limitations of NPs for brain tumor treatment are discussed.
Keyphrases
- drug delivery
- cancer therapy
- blood brain barrier
- high resolution
- drug release
- quantum dots
- magnetic resonance
- palliative care
- magnetic resonance imaging
- sensitive detection
- multiple sclerosis
- physical activity
- photodynamic therapy
- computed tomography
- risk assessment
- fatty acid
- fluorescent probe
- human health
- subarachnoid hemorrhage
- cerebral ischemia