Drug Delivery Nanosystems in Glioblastoma Multiforme Treatment: Current State of the Art
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Leonardo Delello Di Filippo1, Jonatas Lobato Duarte1, Marcela Tavares Luiz2
1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil.
Abstract:
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant Central Nervous System cancer, responsible for about 4% of all deaths associated with neoplasia, characterized as one of the fatal human cancers. Tumor resection does not possess curative character, thereby radio and/or chemotherapy are often necessary for the treatment of GBM. However, drugs used in GBM chemotherapy present some limitations, such as side effects associated with non-specific drug biodistribution as well as limited bioavailability, which limits their clinical use. To attenuate the systemic toxicity and overcome the poor bioavailability, a very attractive approach is drug encapsulation in drug delivery nanosystems. The main focus of this review is to explore the actual cancer global problem, enunciate barriers to overcome in the pharmacological treatment of GBM, as well as the most updated drug delivery nanosystems for GBM treatment and how they influence biopharmaceutical properties of anti-GBM drugs. The discussion will approach lipid-based and polymeric nanosystems, as well as inorganic nanoparticles, regarding their technical aspects as well as biological effects in GBM treatment. Furthermore, the current state of the art, challenges to overcome and future perspectives in GBM treatment will be discussed.
Insights
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treatment faces challenges with chemotherapy drug limitations. Drug delivery nanosystems offer a promising approach to improve bioavailability and reduce side effects for this fatal brain cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly fatal primary brain cancer.
- Current treatments like surgery and chemotherapy have limitations including poor drug bioavailability and systemic toxicity.
- Effective therapeutic strategies for GBM remain a significant challenge in oncology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the challenges in pharmacological treatment of Glioblastoma multiforme.
- To explore advanced drug delivery nanosystems for GBM treatment.
- To analyze the impact of nanosystems on anti-GBM drug properties and efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on Glioblastoma multiforme treatment.
- Analysis of various drug delivery nanosystems including lipid-based, polymeric, and inorganic nanoparticles.
- Evaluation of technical aspects and biological effects of these nanosystems in GBM therapy.
Main Results:
- Nanosystems can overcome limitations of conventional chemotherapy by improving drug bioavailability and targeting.
- Different nanosystem types (lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic) offer unique advantages for GBM treatment.
- Nanosystem application influences drug biodistribution, potentially reducing systemic toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Drug delivery nanosystems represent a promising strategy to enhance GBM treatment efficacy.
- Further research into nanosystem design and clinical application is crucial for overcoming GBM therapeutic barriers.
- Nanosystems hold potential for improved patient outcomes in Glioblastoma multiforme therapy.

