Polymeric nanocarriers for controlled and enhanced delivery of therapeutic agents to the CNS.
Polymeric nanocarriers are versatile structures that can be engineered to obtain high drug loading, good delivery yields and tunable release kinetics. Moreover, the particle surface can be modified for selective targeting of organs or tissues. In particular, polymeric nanocarriers can be conjugated with functional groups promoting translocation through the blood-brain barrier, thus providing a promising system to deliver therapeutic agents and/or diagnostic probes to the brain. Here we review recent literature on the preparation and characterization of polymeric nanoparticles as potential agents for drug delivery to the CNS, with an emphasis on materials chemistry and functionalization strategies for improved selectivity and delivery. Finally, we underline the immunotoxicological aspects of this class of nanostructured materials in view of potential clinical applications.
Center for Nanotechnology Innovation, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127, Pisa, Italy. mariacristina.gagliardi@iit.it
Mariacristina
M
Gagliardi
Giuseppe
G
Bardi
Angelo
A
Bifone
D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000378:metabolism; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004339:Drug Compounding; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D012995:Solubility; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods
D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011108:Polymers