Novel delivery strategies

Abstract

The delivery of therapeutic agents to malignant brain tumors is limited by several physical and biological barriers, including the blood-brain barrier (BBB), drug efflux transporters, and the steric and physiologic constraints of the brain interstitium. Novel strategies for optimizing drug delivery to the CNS include the development of innovative carriers, such as nanoparticles, viral vectors, and stem cells. These drug vehicles may be delivered systemically (potentially including osmotic, chemical, or ultrasound-induced BBB opening) or locally (via catheter-based, intrathecal/intraventricular, intranasal, or interstitial delivery). The limitations of each of these methods suggest that a multimodality approach is likely needed for the effective delivery of therapeutic agents to malignant brain tumors.