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Transferrin receptors-targeting nanocarriers for efficient targeted delivery and transcytosis of drugs into the brain tumors: a review of recent advancements and emerging trends

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Abstract

Treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a predominant challenge in chemotherapy due to the existence of blood–brain barrier (BBB) which restricts delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to the brain together with the problem of drug penetration through hard parenchyma of the GBM. With the structural and mechanistic elucidation of the BBB under both physiological and pathological conditions, it is now viable to target central nervous system (CNS) disorders utilizing the presence of transferrin (Tf) receptors (TfRs). However, overexpression of these TfRs on the GBM cell surface can also help to avoid restrictions of GBM cells to deliver chemotherapeutic agents within the tumor. Therefore, targeting of TfR-mediated delivery could counteract drug delivery issues in GBM and create a delivery system that could cross the BBB effectively to utilize ligand-conjugated drug complexes through receptor-mediated transcytosis. Hence, approach towards successful delivery of antitumor agents to the gliomas has been making possible through targeting these overexpressed TfRs within the CNS and glioma cells. This review article presents a thorough analysis of current understanding on Tf-conjugated nanocarriers as efficient drug delivery system.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the School of Pharmacy, International Medical University for providing resources and support in completing this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Hira Choudhury & Manisha Pandey

  2. School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Pei Xin Chin, Yee Lin Phang, Jeng Yuen Cheah & Shu Chien Ooi

  3. School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Kit-Kay Mak

  4. Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Mallikarjuna Rao Pichika

  5. Centre for Bioactive Molecules and Drug Delivery, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Mallikarjuna Rao Pichika

  6. Pharmaceutics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India

    Prashant Kesharwani

  7. Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor, 42300, Puncak Alam, Malaysia

    Zahid Hussain

  8. Faculty of Pharmacy, Lincoln University College, Petalling Jaya, 47301, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Malaysia

    Bapi Gorain

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  1. Hira Choudhury
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Correspondence to Hira Choudhury.

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Choudhury, H., Pandey, M., Chin, P.X. et al. Transferrin receptors-targeting nanocarriers for efficient targeted delivery and transcytosis of drugs into the brain tumors: a review of recent advancements and emerging trends. Drug Deliv. and Transl. Res. 8, 1545–1563 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-018-0552-2

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