Recent advances in nano delivery systems for blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration and targeting of brain tumors

Drug Discov Today. 2021 Aug;26(8):1944-1952. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.04.008. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Abstract

Gliomas constitute about 80% of brain tumors and have a meager two-year survival rate. The treatment options available are very few because of poor prognosis and a lack of targeted nanodelivery systems that can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-tumor barrier. This short review attempts to clarify the challenges for delivery systems designed to cross the BBB, and provides a brief description of the different types of targeted nanodelivery system that have shown potential for success in delivering drugs to the brain. Further, this review describes the most recent studies that have developed nanoparticles for brain delivery in the past five years. We also provide an insight into the most recent clinical trials designed to assess the efficacy of these nanodelivery systems for glioma.

Keywords: Blood-tumor barrier (BTB); Blood–brain barrier (BBB); Clinical trials; Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM); Targeted nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Drug Development
  • Glioma / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System*
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System