A Noninvasive Gut-to-Brain Oral Drug Delivery System for Treating Brain Tumors

Yang Bao Miao, Kuan Hung Chen, Chiung Tong Chen, Fwu Long Mi, Yu Jung Lin, Yen Chang, Chi Shiun Chiang, Jui To Wang, Kun Ju Lin, Hsing Wen Sung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Most orally administered drugs fail to reach the intracerebral regions because of the intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) and the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which are located between the gut and the brain. Herein, an oral prodrug delivery system that can overcome both the IEB and the BBB noninvasively is developed for treating gliomas. The prodrug is prepared by conjugating an anticancer drug on β-glucans using a disulfide-containing linker. Following oral administration in glioma-bearing mice, the as-prepared prodrug can specifically target intestinal M cells, transpass the IEB, and be phagocytosed/hitchhiked by local macrophages (Mϕ). The Mϕ-hitchhiked prodrug is transported to the circulatory system via the lymphatic system, crossing the BBB. The tumor-overexpressed glutathione then cleaves the disulfide bond within the prodrug, releasing the active drug, improving its therapeutic efficacy. These findings reveal that the developed prodrug may serve as a gut-to-brain oral drug delivery platform for the well-targeted treatment of gliomas.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2100701
JournalAdvanced Materials
Volume33
Issue number34
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 26 2021

Keywords

  • blood–brain barrier
  • glioma
  • intestinal epithelial barrier
  • macrophage hitchhiking
  • prodrugs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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