Novel Molecular Shuttle Could Expand Delivery of Medicines Across the Blood–Brain Barrier

Novel molecular shuttle could expand delivery of medicines across the blood–brain barrier

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a protective filter that lines the brain's blood vessels and is notoriously hard to penetrate, making the treatment of brain disorders very difficult. Strategies designed to breach the BBB include using brain surgery and focused ultrasound waves to create physical openings for the transportation of medicines and employing engineered adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to ferry genetic payloads into desired locations, but these methods have limitations. Now, researchers at Caltech have developed a new, more effective way to transport potentially life-changing therapeutics across the BBB.

Caltech scientists found a surprising way to get medicines into the brain; what they discovered and how it works

Caltech researchers have developed BrainCAB, a small-molecule delivery system designed to help medicines cross the blood-brain barrier. The technology modifies brinzolamide, a glaucoma drug, to bind to a receptor on brain blood vessels and transport therapeutic cargo into the brain. Tested in rodents and nonhuman primates, BrainCAB increased delivery of an antibody-based cancer treatment. The preclinical platform could potentially support delive…