BBB Drug Delivery Flashcards
___ % of small molecules and ____% of biologics do NOT enter the BBB
98%; 100% (biologics = large molecule pharmaceuticals–hormones, peptides, monoclonal antibodies)
2 key props of drugs that pass the BBB
1) passive permeability
2) LOW affinity to P-gp
P-gp role in Drug permeability
P-gp dramatically affects drug distribution and is a key determining of drug resistance to chemotherapeutic, anti-epileptics, morphine etc.
Strategies to overcome the BBB: 2 categories
1) bypassing or disruption of BBB (i.e. change BBB)
2) Drug modification and delivery systems to allow passage THROUGH BBB (i.e. change drug)
Methods that change the BBB (disrupt/bypass)
intrathecal and intracerebroventricular delivery
focused ultrasound disruption
intranasal drug delivery
Methods that change the drug to pass the BBB
production of lipophillic drugs (lipidization);
inhibition of P-gp;
use of pre-existing BBB transport systems to deliver hydrophilic compounds to the brain (molecular trojan horse);
nanoparticles
Intrathecal drug delivery
a catheter placed in lumbar/low thoraic spinal cord with a pump under the skin
chronically pump drugs into sub-arachnoid space
Intrathecal drug delivery–downsides
diffusion through this route is affected greatly by the nature of the drug and by the infusion rate
some stay local, some travel to the brain;
diffusion into the brain can be very limited
Common intrathecal drugs
for pain, spasticity or dystonia
morphine (opioid aginist)
ziconotide (N-type Calcium channel blocker)
baclofen (GABA-B agonist)
Target of intrathecal drugs
primarily the dorsal horn of the SC
Intraventicular drug delivery–what is it
infusion of drug into later ventricles to be distributed in the CSF
Example of intraventricularly delivered drug
infusion of recombinant lysosomal enzymes for the treatment of Batten disease (lysosomeal storage disease) in pediatrics (children with battens have cognitive and motor impairment and early fatality–this treatment increases lifespan)
Intraventicular drug delivery downsides
Complications can be very serious; only use it for very serious issues
Focus Ultrasound (FUS) for drug delivery: method
drug and bubbles (inert gas) injected into blood stream; bubbles vibrate at same frequency as US –> breaks tight junctions allowing drugs into system
FUS drug can be carried…
- in the bubbles
- on the surface of the bubbles
- or along with the bubbles
Low frequency FUS
expand and contract of TJs –> loosening TJs
High frequency FUS
bubbles burst –> disrupts BBB and releases cotransported drugs –> drugs can enter BBB
Uses fo FUS (focused ultrasound)
Experimental use–brian tumors, delivery of bilogics un neurodegenerative conditions
FUS: Downsides
Concerns about whether long-term ad repeated BBB disruption may cause more issues than FUS drug delivery solves (benefit to detriment ratio)
Intranasal Drug delivery: 2 pathways
olfactory nerve/pathway
trigeminal nerve/pathway
Intranasal drug delivery: mechanism
drugs that cross the nasal mucosa are transported into 1) perineural olfactory –> olfactory bulb OR 2) in the trigeminal space –> the pons
from there the drugs are transported with CSF flow
Intranasal drug delivery: movement through perivascular space
approx. 5% of drug is transported through the perivascular space; rhythmic contraction of adjacent blood vessels contribute to movement/distribution of the drug