title: Local drug delivery to the brain.
abstract: The controlled local delivery of antineoplastic agents by biodegradable polymers is a technique that allows for exposure of tumor cells to therapeutic doses of an active agent for prolonged periods of time while avoiding high systemic doses associated with debilitating toxicities. The use of polymers for chemotherapy delivery expands the spectrum of available treatment of neoplasms in the central nervous system, and facilitates new approaches for the treatment of malignant gliomas. In this article, we discuss the rationale and history of the development and use of these polymers, and review the various agents that have used this technology to treat malignant brain tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Hunterian 817, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Paul P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frazier
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brem
mesh_terms: D000812:Anhydrides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000812:Anhydrides; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011108:Polymers