Ultrasound opens blood-brain barrier for glioblastoma drug delivery

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound with concomitant administration of IV microbubbles (LIPU-MB) can be used to open the blood-brain barrier, allowing the delivery of drugs to the brain. In a recent phase 1 trial, researchers at Northwestern University used LIPU-MB to successfully deliver IV albumin-bound paclitaxel to 17 people with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. 

Existing treatments focus on resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide - a drug that can cross the blood-brain barrier but is relatively weaker. In this treatment, an ultrasound device was implanted into a skull window after tumor resection and paclitaxel was infused every 3 weeks for up to six cycles. Of the 17 patients who received a median of 3 cycles each, encephalopathy occurred in one patient during the first cycle and another patient during the second cycle. In both cases, toxicity resolved when treatment continued at a lower dose. Peripheral Neuropathy was also observed in one patient, but no progressive neurological deficits were attributed to the treatment. The most common adverse events included: headache (71%), neutropenia (47%), leukopenia (29%), and hypertension  (29%). No deaths were reported. 

The study shows promising advancements in using LIPU-MB  to open the blood-brain barrier for the delivery of cytotoxic drugs to the brain. A phase 2 study combining LIPU-MB with carboplatin is now underway...Read more

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