Smart & Targeted Drug Delivery Systems

The tumor microenvironment poses physical barriers that limits the penetrance and effectiveness of systemically injected anti-cancer agents. The abnormal and poorly functioning tumor-associated vasculature renders homogeneous drug distribution impossible. In brain tumors like glioblastoma, these aberrancies are made even more complicated by the presence of a semi-intact blood-brain-barrier (i.e., the “blood-tumor-barrier”). Engineering-based approaches can provide solutions for smarter drug delivery systems – targeted specifically to the tumor endothelium and local microenvironment – including but not limited to:

• Passive and active uptake mechanisms
• Nano-/micro-particle delivery vehicles
• Immunoengineering for cell-based therapies
• Chemical, thermal, electrical, or mechanical delivery/release