Skip to main content
. 2022 Jul 21;14(14):2963. doi: 10.3390/polym14142963

Table 2.

Comparison of polymeric NP mechanisms of delivery.

Mechanism of Delivery Type(s) of Polymeric NPs Used Advantages Limitations
Focused Ultrasound PLGA [133] Can reversibly open BBB; targeted delivery; safety supported via clinical trials; minimal systemic effects Acute complications such as microhemorrhages reported; invasive
Convection-Enhanced Delivery PLGA [171], PBAE [143], Chitosan [172], PAMAM [173], PCL [174] High volume of distribution reported; targeted delivery; multiple ongoing clinical trials; potential for use post-resection; minimal systemic effects No definitive increase in glioma patient survival time reported; infection; limited therapeutic administration windows; invasive
Nose-to-Brain Delivery PLGA [151], Chitosan [46], PCL [153] Minimally invasive; easier to study in vivo; bypasses BBB; minimal systemic effects Exact delivery mechanism and clearance pathways unclear; non-targeted delivery; bioavailability can be low compared to other delivery mechanisms; limited NP clinical studies
Intracranial Hydrogel Delivery PLGA [155], Chitosan [73], PCL [175] Potential for use post-resection; targeted delivery; passively controlled drug release; variety of potential approaches; minimal systemic effects Difficult to use with hydrophobic NPs; invasive; non-targeted delivery
Cell-Based Delivery PLGA [168] Minimally invasive; limited clearance via reticuloendothelial system compared to other systemic delivery approaches Limited NP clinical studies; non-targeted delivery