Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Author Spotlight: Innovative Cancer Therapies with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Glioblastoma Treatment
Published on: September 27, 2024
Targeted Drug Delivery in Brain Tumors-nanochemistry Applications and Advances
Babak Ganjeifar1, Seyyed Farhang Morshed1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, 99199-91766, Iran.
Background:
Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, brain tumors are still a major health issue due to poor prognosis and high mortality rate. The current treatment options have limited efficiency. The main barriers to effective clinical treatment are systemic toxicity of cytotoxic compounds, the physical and functional barrier of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and low selectivity of the therapeutic agents to tumor cells.
Objective:
The study aimed to review the advances in targeted drug delivery systems and strategies for brain tumors.
Methods:
We searched the electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, google scholar and additional sources for published and unpublished trials using the set search terms. The date of the most recent search was 20 March 2020. The studies investigating the applications of targeted drug delivery for brain tumors were collected and the most relevant studies were selected for a comprehensive review.
Results:
Different anticancer agents and nucleic acid-based therapies have been developed and assessed as novel targeted drug delivery techniques for brain tumors. New vehicles include polymeric and liposomal nanoparticles (NPs), wafers, microchips, microparticle-based nanosystems and cells-based vectors. Strong evidence from preclinical and translational studies indicate the great potential of these NPs-based technologies for use in brain tumors and improving the therapeutic outcomes. Research is ongoing to develop effective new anticancer agents as well as strategies for BBB modulation and penetration.
Conclusion:
New targeted drug delivery systems based on stimuli-responsive NPs have shown promising outcomes in brain tumors. Advances in material design and nanochemistry lead to enhanced intracranial concentrations. Non-invasive technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging- guided ultrasound and high-intensity focused ultrasound have been utilized for BBB modulation with higher precision and improved drug delivery performance.
Insights
Targeted drug delivery systems using nanoparticles show promise for treating brain tumors by overcoming the blood-brain barrier. Advances in nanochemistry and non-invasive technologies enhance drug concentration and therapeutic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Nanomedicine
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Brain tumors remain a significant health challenge with poor prognosis despite current treatments.
- Limited treatment efficacy is due to systemic toxicity, the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and low drug selectivity.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in targeted drug delivery systems and strategies for brain tumors.
- To explore novel vehicles and approaches for enhancing brain tumor therapy.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of major electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, etc.) up to March 20, 2020.
- Selection of relevant studies investigating targeted drug delivery applications for brain tumors.
- Systematic review of preclinical and translational research.
Main Results:
- Various targeted drug delivery systems, including nanoparticles (NPs), wafers, and cell-based vectors, show potential for brain tumors.
- Polymeric and liposomal NPs demonstrate significant promise in preclinical and translational studies.
- Ongoing research focuses on new anticancer agents and strategies for BBB modulation.
Conclusions:
- Stimuli-responsive NPs offer promising outcomes for brain tumor treatment.
- Nanochemistry advancements enhance drug concentrations within the brain.
- Non-invasive technologies like MRI-guided ultrasound improve BBB modulation and drug delivery precision.
