Explainer: what is the blood-brain barrier and... - CLL Support

CLL Support

22,506 members38,655 posts

Explainer: what is the blood-brain barrier and how can we overcome it?

AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilAdministrator
2 Replies

'The blood–brain barrier is generally very effective at preventing unwanted substances from accessing the brain, which has a downside. The vast majority of potential drug treatments do not readily cross the barrier, posing a huge impediment to treating mental and neurological disorders.

One possible way around the problem is to “trick” the blood–brain barrier into allowing passage of the drug. This is the so-called Trojan horse approach, in which the drug is fused to a molecule that can pass the blood–brain barrier via a transporter protein.

A different approach is to temporarily open the blood–brain barrier using ultrasound.'

Jürgen Götz, Director, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland explains how the blood brain barrier works and ways it can be breached: theconversation.com/explain...

While CLL infiltration of the Central Nervous System(CNS)/brain is rare, it can happen. As the article mentioned, small molecules can pass through the blood-brain barrier and Ibrutinib appears to have a promising role in treating CLL infiltration of the CNS: bloodjournal.org/content/12...

There have been a few attempts at trials with Rituximab, but slow recruitment challenges the ability to gain adequate data.

Neil

Photo: Eucalyptus (gum tree) blossom

Written by
AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeil
Administrator
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
2 Replies
wroxham-gb profile image
wroxham-gb

Thanks for that explanation Neil. Very good.

Love the gum blossom photo.

Sue

Jm954 profile image
Jm954Administrator

Promising results with Ibrutinib for CNS CLL , even though small numbers, which is good news.

You may also like...

Ibrutinib Shown to Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier in CNS Lymphoma

com/home/cancer-topics/lymphoma/cns-lymphoma-ibrutinib-shown-to-cross-blood-brain-barrier/?utm_sourc

Just not sure what we can and can't do

Can someone clarify just what we can do as 'vulnerable people'. I am watch and wait with my CLL and...

Explainer: how do drugs work?

the natural precursor molecule: https://theconversation.com/explainer-how-do-drugs-work-48665...

HOW DO WE DETERMINE MUTATION STATUS?

So what exactly do we look at on our Blood tests that explain mutational status? Thanks.

CLL with CNS involvement

disease. Challenge is to find a drug which will cross the blood brain barrier. Currently on...