EGFRvIII peptide nanocapsules and bevacizumab nanocapsules: a nose-to-brain multitarget approach against glioblastoma

Aim: To evaluate the antitumor efficacy of bevacizumab-functionalized nanocapsules in a rat glioblastoma model after the pretreatment with nanocapsules functionalized with a peptide-specific to the epidermal growth factor receptor variant III. Materials & methods: Nanocapsules were prepared, physicochemical characterized and intranasally administered to rats. Parameters such as tumor size, histopathological characteristics and infiltration of CD8 + T lymphocytes were evaluated. Results: The strategy of treatment resulted in a reduction of 87% in the tumor size compared with the control group and a higher infiltration of CD8 + T lymphocytes in tumoral tissue. Conclusion: The block of two different molecular targets using nose-to-brain delivery represents a new and promising approach against glioblastoma.