9 - Nanostructured lipid carriers as an alternative carrier with high drug loading for targeting to brain tumors

Abstract

Lipid-based nanoformulations such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are being used as drug delivery systems for a variety of diseases. SLNs are considered as better drug carriers than other colloidal drug delivery systems, such as liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles. NLCs were introduced to overcome the limitations of SLNs, such as low drug encapsulation and colloidal stability during long-term storage. NLCs’ matrix is composed of a blend of solid lipid and liquid lipid, unlike SLNs, where only solid lipid forms the matrix. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common brain cancers worldwide. Even though surgical removal of the brain tumor is the common practice in GBM treatment, complete removal of the tumor is challenging. As the blood-brain barrier (BBB) expresses selective permeability, most of the drugs used for the treatment of tumors are unable to enter the brain thru conventional drug delivery. Currently, NLCs are being used as one of the most promising approaches in the treatment of brain tumors. As these nanocarriers are made up of lipidic matrix with nanometric size, these particles can cross the BBB. Furthermore, surface modification of these nanoparticles with various types of surface modifiers and receptors enhances the delivery of drugs to specific target sites in the brain. NLCs developed for nose to brain delivery of antitumor agents could enter the brain bypassing systemic circulation, thereby enhancing the bioavailability in the brain.