Russian scientists have developed an unusual system for delivering antitumor drugs — through the nasal cavity. This approach allows the drug to remain in the body longer and reach the brain. The discovery was made by specialists from Sechenov University.
The main feature of the development is the direct delivery of the active substance to the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. This is a natural protective system of the body that prevents many substances from penetrating from the blood into brain tissues.
According to Elena Bakhrushina, Professor of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, the drug can remain at the absorption site for up to six hours. This ensures a longer action and high bioavailability of the drug.
Scientists used ribavirin as the active substance. As Bakhrushina explained, numerous studies have already shown the antitumor effect of this drug. In recent years, data have emerged on its effectiveness against glioblastoma — one of the most aggressive types of central nervous system cancer.
During experiments on animals, researchers confirmed that the concentration of the substance in the brain was significantly higher than in the blood. Scientists also noted that the drug remained on the animals' mucous membranes for 24 hours.
After the experiments were completed, specialists conducted a histological analysis of the nasal cavity mucosa. No pathological changes were found in the animals.