Multifunctional poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) based nanoparticles for targeting and treating glioblastoma

Therapy for glioblastoma is highly challenging, due to its aggressiveness, heterogenous nature and recurrence, resulting in very low patient median survival rates (<18 months). We hypothesized that paclitaxel and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-loaded PEGylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based nanoparticles can serve as an effective nanocarrier system for imaging and targeting purposes. We formulated nanoparticles to target gliobalstoma, assessed the nanoparticle biodistribution and toxicity. In an orthotopic murine glioblastoma model, magnetic targeting of the nanoparticles by an external magnetic field induced a higher biodistribution in the brain and higher anti-tumor efficacy than passive targeting by the enhanced permeation and retention effect or active targteting by receptor-ligand binding.