Credit: Image created with BioRender.com
Infiltrative glioma cells are protected against commonly used anti-cancer drugs like paclitaxel, which cannot cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Using mouse models, UT Southwestern and UT Dallas researchers coated gold nanoparticles (NP) with an antibody targeting them to the brain endothelium. Picosecond laser stimulation of the NP through an intact skull caused a vibration excitation of the NP, opening the BBB without causing injury to the delicate brain tissue and allowing the drug to enter the brain and either kill or block the growth of tumor cells.