Nose-to-brain selective drug delivery to glioma via ferritin-based nanovectors reduces tumor growth and improves survival rate

Francesco Marrocco, Elisabetta Falvo, Luciana Mosca, Giada Tisci, Alessandro Arcovito, Alice Reccagni, Cristina Limatola, Roberta Bernardini, Pierpaolo Ceci, Giuseppina D’Alessandro, Gianni Colotti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

Abstract

Gliomas are among the most fatal tumors, and the available therapeutic options are very limited. Additionally, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents most drugs from entering the brain. We designed and produced a ferritin-based stimuli-sensitive nanocarrier with high biocompatibility and water solubility. It can incorporate high amounts of the potent topoisomerase 1 inhibitor Genz-644282. Here, we show that this nanocarrier, named The-0504, can cross the BBB and specifically deliver the payload to gliomas that express high amounts of the ferritin/transferrin receptor TfR1 (CD71). Intranasal or intravenous administration of The-0504 both reduce tumor growth and improve the survival rate of glioma-bearing mice. However, nose-to-brain administration is a simpler and less invasive route that may spare most of the healthy tissues compared to intravenous injections. For this reason, the data reported here could pave the way towards a new, safe, and direct ferritin-based drug delivery method for brain diseases, especially brain tumors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalCELL DEATH & DISEASE
Volume15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • drug delivery
  • Ferritin

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