Dual-Responsive Nanorobot-Based Marsupial Robotic System for Intracranial Cross-Scale Targeting Drug Delivery.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Oncology

Background:

• Nanorobots offer targeted therapeutic potential but face challenges like the blood-brain barrier for glioblastoma treatment.
• Existing nanorobots struggle with extensive motion range and clinical translation in brain therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a marsupial robotic system for intracranial cross-scale targeted drug delivery in glioblastoma therapy.
• To overcome the limitations of the blood-brain barrier and enhance drug delivery precision.

Main Methods:

• Integration of chemical/magnetic hybrid nanorobots (child robots) with a miniature magnetic continuum robot (mother robot).
• Hierarchical targeting: macroscale delivery by the continuum robot and microscale secondary targeting by nanorobots.
• In vitro studies with patient-derived glioblastoma cells, ex vivo swine brain experiments, and in vivo biosafety assessments.

Main Results:

• The system demonstrated feasibility in ex vivo and biosafety in in vivo experiments.
• Significant improvements in targeting rate, accuracy, and treatment efficacy were observed.
• Personalized treatment guidance was explored through in vitro experiments.

Conclusions:

• The marsupial robotic system provides a novel intracranial therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma.
• This technology represents a key milestone in developing advanced glioblastoma treatment platforms.
• The hierarchical targeting method enhances spatial resolution and therapeutic outcomes for brain cancer.