Targeted drug delivery is a technique that enhances medication to a patient by increasing its concentration in tissue of interest while minimizing in relative to others. Traditional cancer chemotherapy is not specific in targeting cancerous and healthy cells. However, recent research has improved this issue by delivery of chemotherapeutic agents directly to tumor tissues. This drug delivery includes the development of predictive models that emphasize the selective treatment, monoclonal antibodies that act against tumor-associated antigens that may show anti-tumor effects and are used as ‘homing devices’, and a type of carrier system having liposomes and polymeric compounds. These advances prove challenging for pharmacological sanctuaries of central nervous system (CNS) by direct localized drug administration and temporary disruption of blood-brain barrier. In recent years, more precise technologies have been developed, i.e., implantable pumps and reservoirs, computerized implantable devices, mathematical models. The new version of autologous bone marrow transplantation, combined with ‘purging’ and prodrugs, exhibits pharmacological effects and demonstrates increased efficacy and reduced toxicity compared to chemotherapeutic drug administration. This discussion focuses on emerging therapies, including predictive models, monoclonal antibodies, liposomes, and polymeric compounds, as well as intra-arterial infusions, which are expected to be more promising treatments.

Keywords: liposomes, chemotherapeutic agents, transdermal, prodrugs, CNS, BBB.