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The blood-brain/tumor barriers: challenges and chances for malignant gliomas targeted drug delivery
1School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Treatment of malignant gliomas remains a challenge irrespective of the recent improvements. Chemotherapeutic agents for malignant gliomas have been particularly inefficient for the existence of blood-tumor barrier (BTB), which hampers the accumulation and uptake in tumor. Moreover, even though blood-brain barrier (BBB) is compromised to some extent under the situation of malignant gliomas, it remains to be the obstacle influencing the therapeutic efficacies via systemic administration. Fortunately, there are many receptors over-expressed on the BTB (glioma cells and/or tumor microvessels) that can mediate ligand modified drug delivery systems targeting to gliomas and enhance tumor uptake. On the other hand, numerous routes have also been explored to circumvent the BBB. In this manuscript, we elucidate the BBB/BTB status under the situation of malignant gliomas and review the receptors over-expressed on BTB and the malignant gliomas targeted drug delivery strategies. We also discuss the perspective of malignant gliomas targeted drug delivery systems with new concepts.
Insights
Targeting malignant gliomas is difficult due to the blood-tumor barrier (BTB) and blood-brain barrier (BBB). Ligand-modified drug delivery systems and alternative administration routes show promise for enhancing glioma treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Malignant gliomas pose significant treatment challenges.
- The blood-tumor barrier (BTB) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) impede effective chemotherapy delivery.
- Systemic drug administration faces obstacles due to these barriers, limiting therapeutic outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the status of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-tumor barrier (BTB) in malignant gliomas.
- To identify over-expressed receptors on the BTB for targeted drug delivery.
- To discuss novel strategies for targeted drug delivery systems in glioma treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of BBB/BTB status in malignant gliomas.
- Analysis of over-expressed receptors on glioma cells and tumor microvessels.
- Exploration of various drug delivery routes to circumvent the BBB.
Main Results:
- Receptors over-expressed on BTB can be targeted by ligand-modified drug delivery systems.
- Targeted strategies enhance drug accumulation and uptake in gliomas.
- Alternative administration routes are being explored to bypass the BBB.
Conclusions:
- Targeted drug delivery systems offer a promising approach to overcome BTB/BBB challenges in malignant glioma treatment.
- Exploiting over-expressed receptors and novel administration routes can improve therapeutic efficacy.
- Future research directions involve developing innovative concepts for glioma-targeted drug delivery.
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