Advance Clinical Trials and Research

Drug Delivery through Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

Drug delivery through the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) has focused on innovative strategies to overcome its protective mechanisms, which typically prevent most therapeutics from entering the brain. Key advancements include:

Utilizing antibodies that exploit receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT) for increased brain penetration, such as the use of anti-transferrin receptor antibodies. This method facilitates the transport of therapeutic antibodies into the brain by hitching a ride on receptors that naturally cross the BBB .

The potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in mediating drug delivery across the BBB is being explored. EVs are naturally occurring membrane vesicles that can carry a variety of cargo, including drugs. They have shown promise in crossing the BBB effectively, offering a non-invasive delivery route that could be pivotal for treating brain diseases​​.

Nanoparticle strategies have also been significantly developed, focusing on creating biocompatible and often times, biodegradable materials that can safely cross the BBB. Gold nanoparticles and iron oxide nanoparticles are examples, with the former easily functionalized for enhanced delivery capabilities and the latter offering properties like superparamagnetism. The challenges of crossing the BBB with nanoparticles include immune system recognition and ensuring nanoparticles do not accumulate in unwanted areas, which could lead to toxicity​​.

These strategies represent a diverse approach to enhancing drug delivery to the brain, addressing the critical need for treatments of neurological conditions that require drug penetration through the BBB.