Current strategies for targeted delivery of bio-active drug molecules in the treatment of brain tumor

Abstract

Brain tumor is one of the most challenging diseases to treat. The major obstacle in the specific drug delivery to brain is blood–brain barrier (BBB). Mostly available anti-cancer drugs are large hydrophobic molecules which have limited permeability via BBB. Therefore, it is clear that the protective barriers confining the passage of the foreign particles into the brain are the main impediment for the brain drug delivery. Hence, the major challenge in drug development and delivery for the neurological diseases is to design non-invasive nanocarrier systems that can assist controlled and targeted drug delivery to the specific regions of the brain. In this review article, our major focus to treat brain tumor by study numerous strategies includes intracerebral implants, BBB disruption, intraventricular infusion, convection-enhanced delivery, intra-arterial drug delivery, intrathecal drug delivery, injection, catheters, pumps, microdialysis, RNA interference, antisense therapy, gene therapy, monoclonal/cationic antibodies conjugate, endogenous transporters, lipophilic analogues, prodrugs, efflux transporters, direct conjugation of antitumor drugs, direct targeting of liposomes, nanoparticles, solid–lipid nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, dendrimers and albumin-based drug carriers.

• Blood brain barrier
• brain tumor
• drug delivery
• drug targeting
• microdialysis

Declaration of interest

The authors report that they have no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Dr. Amit K Goyal is thankful to Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi (under IYBA scheme; BT/01/IYBA/2009 dated May 24, 2010).