Tumor-localized tissue within convection-enhanced delivery field

Tumor-localized tissue within a convection-enhanced delivery (CED) field refers to the spatial volume of a tumor and its surrounding infiltrative margins targeted by a pressure-driven infusion technique (PubMed: 15163339). CED is designed to bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by establishing a pressure gradient that facilitates the bulk flow of therapeutic agents directly into the brain parenchyma (NIH: PMC2743134). This method allows for the delivery of large molecules, such as immunotoxins and viral vectors, which would otherwise be unable to penetrate the CNS from the systemic circulation (PubMed: 28913760). The effectiveness of this delivery is highly dependent on catheter placement and the physical properties of the tissue within the delivery field. In clinical practice, this 'target' is often monitored using real-time MRI with co-infused contrast agents to visualize the distribution of the drug (PubMed: 30653417). While not a molecular target itself, the tissue within the CED field represents the pharmacological site of action for various experimental glioblastoma therapies.

Other names

Convection-enhanced delivery fieldCED-targeted tumor volumeIntratumoral convection fieldCED distribution zone

Not a molecular mechanism; refers to the physical delivery of therapeutic agents via a pressure-driven bulk flow (convection) directly into the interstitial space of a tumor to bypass the blood-brain barrier.