Sign in Subscribe
Nanotechnology

Breakthrough in Brain Cancer Treatment: Nanoparticles Show Promise in Crossing Blood-Brain Barrier

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from Far Eastern Federal University in Russia have made a significant discovery in the fight against brain cancer. A new study published in the journal Polymers has found that nanoscale particles can efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a major obstacle in treating brain tumors. The BBB prevents many drugs from reaching the brain, making it challenging to develop effective treatments. However, the newly developed biopolymeric nanoparticles have shown excellent biocompatibility and the ability to modify the environment surrounding tumor cells, potentially improving cellular uptake of delivery agents.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research, funded by the Russian Science Foundation, aims to develop a new drug delivery system that can cross the BBB and reach brain tumors.
  • The biopolymeric nanoparticles were synthesized by ionic interaction of oppositely charged polysaccharides pectin and chitosan, and their structural characteristics were carefully characterized by infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy.
  • The immobilization efficiency of antitumor drugs was evaluated using UV spectrophotometry, and the cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles was tested in the U87-MG cell line.
  • The preliminary data indicate a significant decrease in the metabolic activity of tumor cells, suggesting the potential of these nanoparticles in brain cancer treatment.
  • The research also explored the interaction of the nanoparticles with an endothelial layer structurally similar to the BBB, using a model based on human blood vessels.
  • The studies established a significant correlation between the kinetic parameters of drug immobilization and the ratio of biopolymer concentrations in the initial compositions, providing valuable information for future optimization of drug delivery system design.

Statistics:

  • The size of the nanoscale polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) ranged from 56 to 209 nm.
  • The study used infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy to characterize the structural characteristics of the PECs.
  • The immobilization efficiency of antitumor drugs was evaluated using UV spectrophotometry, showing promising results.
  • The cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles was tested in the U87-MG cell line, demonstrating a significant decrease in metabolic activity.

Sources:

  • NewsRx LLC. Far Eastern Federal University Reports Findings in Brain Cancer (Development of Carbohydrate Polyelectrolyte Nanoparticles for Use in Drug Delivery Systems that Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier to Treat Brain Tumors). Nanotechnology Weekly. July 7, 2025; p 291.
  • Far Eastern Federal University. Development of Carbohydrate Polyelectrolyte Nanoparticles for Use in Drug Delivery Systems that Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier to Treat Brain Tumors. Polymers, 2025;17(12):1690.

Read more