A new, non-invasive method to deliver drugs to the brain has been developed by Taiwanese researchers. Using a combination of magnetic nanoparticles and focused ultrasound to pinpoint specific areas, the technique could be very helpful in treating brain tumours. 

'The difficulty with treating brain tumours is that the brain is protected by the blood-brain barrier,' explains Pin-Yuan Chen, who led the team with Kuo-Chen Wei at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. 'This prevents chemotherapy drugs from entering the brain. However, we can open up this barrier in desired locations using focused ultrasound. This allows us to target our treatment effectively and safely.' 

Chen's team injected magnetic nanoparticles coated with therapeutic compounds into rats, then applied an external magnetic field to increase the concentration of the nanoparticles in the brain. Next, a low-energy burst of ultrasound was targeted on desired areas, which increased the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and allowed the nanoparticles to diffuse through across. The effect of the ultrasound is temporary, and the barrier returns to normal after a few hours.

The advantage of using magnetic nanoparticles is twofold. Firstly, since the nanoparticles can be localised in the brain, far smaller doses are required, which would dramatically reduce any side-effects from the treatment and potentially allow stronger drugs to be used. 

Secondly, the magnetic particles show up on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, so that doctors can follow the progress of the treatment and monitor drug concentrations in the brain. This is important because tumours can have widely differing morphologies and may take up the drug in different amounts. 

Chen notes however that further research and development will be needed before the treatment finds its way into hospitals. In particular, the safety of the nanoparticles needs to be assessed as well as determining the best way to apply a magnetic field to localise nanoparticles in the brain. 

'This is a fascinating article,' says Jinwoo Cheon, who develops magnetic nanoparticles for cancer treatment at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. 'Many people in nanomedicine have been pursuing so-called "theranostics" - which is therapy plus diagnostics - as a next generation concept that will be essential for personalised medicine with high efficacy. I would say this is one of the most significant successful showcases in this research area.'

Lewis Brindley

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