The effectiveness of a magnetic nanoparticle-based delivery system for BCNU in the treatment of gliomas

This study describes the creation and characterization of drug carriers prepared using the polymer poly-[aniline-co-N-(1-one-butyric acid) aniline] (SPAnH) coated on Fe3O4 cores to form three types of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) these particles were used to enhance the therapeutic capacity and improve the thermal stability of 1 3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) a compound used to treat brain tumors The average hydrodynamic diameter of the MNPs was 89 2 +/- 8 5 nm and all the MNPs displayed superparamagnetic properties A maximum effective dose of 379 34 mu g BCNU could be immobilized on 1 mg of MNP-3 (bound-BCNU-3) Bound-BCNU-3 was more stable than free-BCNU when stored at 4 C 25 C or 37 degrees C Bound-BCNU-3 could be concentrated at targeted sites in vitro and in vivo using an externally applied magnet When applied to brain tumors magnetic targeting increased the concentration and retention of bound-BCNU-3 This drug delivery system promises to provide more effective tumor treatment using lower therapeutic doses and potentially reducing the side effects of chemotherapy (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved