Delivery of drugs into brain tumors using multicomponent silica nanoparticles

Nanoscale. 2019 Jun 20;11(24):11910-11921. doi: 10.1039/c9nr02876e.

Abstract

Glioblastomas are highly lethal cancers defined by resistance to conventional therapies and rapid recurrence. While new brain tumor cell-specific drugs are continuously becoming available, efficient drug delivery to brain tumors remains a limiting factor. We developed a multicomponent nanoparticle, consisting of an iron oxide core and a mesoporous silica shell that can effectively deliver drugs across the blood-brain barrier into glioma cells. When exposed to alternating low-power radiofrequency (RF) fields, the nanoparticle's mechanical tumbling releases the entrapped drug molecules from the pores of the silica shell. After directing the nanoparticle to target the near-perivascular regions and altered endothelium of the brain tumor via fibronectin-targeting ligands, rapid drug release from the nanoparticles is triggered by RF facilitating wide distribution of drug delivery across the blood-brain tumor interface.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Carriers* / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers* / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Carriers* / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry
  • Ferric Compounds / pharmacokinetics
  • Ferric Compounds / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles* / therapeutic use
  • Silicon Dioxide* / chemistry
  • Silicon Dioxide* / pharmacokinetics
  • Silicon Dioxide* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Ferric Compounds
  • ferric oxide
  • Silicon Dioxide