Tiny particles to carry a cancer drug through the nose to the brain
Original title: Synthesis and characterization of l-arginine-grafted chitosan nanoparticles for intranasal Dasatinib delivery and brain targeting.
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This was done in animals, not people. Most findings at this stage never become treatments.
This is early lab work and has not been tested in people.
The short version
Researchers made tiny particles to help a cancer drug reach the brain through the nose.
What was studied. Researchers built very tiny particles to carry a drug called dasatinib. The goal was to give the drug through the nose so more of it reaches the brain in glioblastoma: A glioma that is given grade 4, the highest grade. It grows fast. Treatment usually starts soon after it is found. It often means surgery, then radiation and chemotherapy. See the glossary.
What they found. The particles held most of the drug, about 82.7% of it. Most of the drug came out of the particles within 36 hours. When given through the nose, a large share of the drug reached the brain.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: Dasatinib does not get into the brain well on its own. This method may one day help more of the drug reach a brain tumor.
What it doesn't mean: This is very early lab work. It was not tested in people. It does not show that the drug shrinks tumors or helps patients live longer. It is far from everyday care, and it is not a cure.
Source: PubMed, September 18, 2026 · Read the original
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