Intra-Arterial Delivery of Biologics Shown to be Effective for Head and Neck Disorders and Cancers

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University of Maryland have conducted a study on the intra-arterial (IA) delivery of biologics to the head and neck region in mice. The study found that this method provides a more effective and precise way to deliver biologics compared to systemic infusion. The IA route allows for selective delivery to target organs, achieving higher local drug concentrations and minimizing off-target toxicity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The intra-arterial route offers several advantages over systemic infusion for drug administration, including selective delivery to target organs and minimizing off-target toxicity.
  • The study found that the IA route resulted in robust expression of luciferase-encoding mRNA and adeno-associated virus encoding luciferase in the head and neck region following infusion, with negligible expression after IV delivery.
  • Quantitative assessment of antibody biodistribution revealed significantly increased uptake of bevacizumab in the neck following IA delivery, with higher accumulation in targeted structures of the head and neck.
  • The research concluded that intra-arterial administration is a highly effective strategy for precise biologic delivery in head and neck disorders and cancers.
  • The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA and published in the Journal of Controlled Release, 2025;384.

Statistics:

  • 100-fold lower expression of Luc mRNA in the temporal muscle and tongue following IV administration compared to IA delivery.
  • Mean standardized uptake values: 0.65 vs. 0.29, IA vs. IV, for bevacizumab uptake in the neck.
  • 53% higher accumulation of bevacizumab in targeted structures of the head and neck following IA delivery compared to IV delivery.

Sources:

  • Multi-modality Imaging for Precise Intra-arterial Delivery of Mrna, Aavs, and Antibodies To the Head and Neck Area In Mice. Journal of Controlled Release, 2025;384.
  • University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States.