Liposome-Based Drug Delivery System for Treatment of Central Nervous System Disorders

NDSU Research Foundation
posted on 02/07/2012

• request more info 
•   
•  LICENSE ONLINE

Although gene therapy has demonstrated immense potential for the treatment of a vast majority of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, its clinical application for the treatment of brain diseases requires the development of safe non-viral vectors that can cross the blood brain barrier. While viruses show potential as an in-vivo application method of gene therapy for CNS disorders, there are immunogenicity issues that limit their use in humans. Scientists working at North Dakota State University have invented a delivery system based on compositions of liposomes to deliver drug or genes to the brain that are comparable to the viral vectors, yet overcome the immunogenicity issues. This system incorporates three different modifications to liposomes. It is unique in the fact that it is a combination of targeting protein and cell penetrating peptide in a single delivery vector.

•Effective non-viral delivery of drugs/genes for the treatment of tumors. •Low-toxicity treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases including Alzheimer’s and certain neuropsychiatric disorders.

•High efficiency rate in gene delivery. •Low toxicity non-viral gene delivery system. •Targets only the diseased cells or tissues without harming neighboring healthy cells. •Use of a penetration enhancing peptide improves the delivery of the gene/drug by increasing the rate and extent of transport of the delivery vector into the cells.