title: [New protein vectors for physiological transfer of therapeutic agents to the             central nervous system].
abstract: The central nervous system is a sanctuary protected by barriers, among which the           blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is formed by the specific nature of the endothelial           cells of the brain capillaries, that allow brain access only to nutrients necessary for           brain cell survival and function. These properties of the BBB result in the incapacity of           therapeutic compounds, both small and large, to reach the brain at therapeutic           concentrations. Various strategies are now being developed to enhance the amount and           concentration of these compounds in the brain parenchyma. The development of new           technologies such as peptide vectors will achieve the delivery of active agents in           therapeutic concentration across the BBB to treat brain diseases such as cancer or           neurodegenerative disorders. In this paper, design of new active peptides and the           development of new protein, peptide, vectors for drug brain delivery using physiological           approaches will be addressed. In addition to the Angiopep platform technology which is in           development at Angiochem Inc. and is to date the most advanced in human clinical trials,           the new Transcend technology using a protein melanotransferrin for the transport of           biologics such as lysosomal enzymes and antibodies will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Cydweli Consultants Inc., Quebec, Canada. rgaba@videotron.ca
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gabathuler
mesh_terms: D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D010455:Peptides; D010599:Pharmacokinetics; D011972:Receptor, Insulin; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D010455:Peptides; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D011972:Receptor, Insulin