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193266 
Journal Article 
Active targeting of brain tumors using nanocarriers 
Beduneau, A; Saulnier, P; Benoit, JP 
2007 
Yes 
Biomaterials
ISSN: 0142-9612
EISSN: 1878-5905 
28 
33 
4947-4967 
The delivery of drugs to brain tumors is limited by the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) separating the blood from the cerebral parenchyma. An understanding of the specific mechanisms of the brain capillary endothelium has led to the development of various strategies to enhance the penetration of drugs into the brain tissue. Active targeting is a non-invasive approach, which consists in transporting drugs to target organs using site-specific ligands. Drug-loaded nanocarriers capable of recognizing brain capillary endothelial cells and cerebral tumoral cells have shown promising potential in oncology. Endogenous and chimeric ligands binding to carriers or receptors of the BBB have been directly or indirectly conjugated to nanocarriers. This review indexes the main targeted colloidal systems used for drug delivery to the brain. Their pharmacological behavior and their therapeutic effect are discussed.