Chitosan-based drug delivery systems for brain cancer therapy

Abstract

Chitosan is a material known for its biocompatibility, biodegradability and ease of modification. The focus of this review is to illustrate the large variability in the uses of chitosan in the field of treating brain cancers such as Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). This paper will first introduce and discuss chitosan, its applicability to the medical field and the material properties that make it a viable solution for treating brain cancer tumors. Constraints such as the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) and biocompatibility will be mentioned, and how chitosan is a viable solution for bypassing many limitations. Entrance points to the body will then be discussed, the different mucosal entrance points as well as oral and ocular drug delivery pathways, and how chitosan can be equipped and modified to fit the parameters of these pathways. Different drug delivery methods all use chitosan to improve their effectiveness in reaching and delivering the predetermined drug to the GBM or respective indicator.