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Insights into Targeted and Stimulus-Responsive Nanocarriers for Brain Cancer Treatment
Zahra Abousalman-Rezvani1,2, Ahmed Refaat1,3, Pouya Dehghankelishadi1
1Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia.
Abstract:
Brain cancers, especially glioblastoma multiforme, are associated with poor prognosis due to the limited efficacy of current therapies. Nanomedicine has emerged as a versatile technology to treat various diseases, including cancers, and has played an indispensable role in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic as evidenced by the role that lipid nanocarrier-based vaccines have played. The tunability of nanocarrier physicochemical properties -including size, shape, surface chemistry, and drug release kinetics- has resulted in the development of a wide range of nanocarriers for brain cancer treatment. These nanocarriers can improve the pharmacokinetics of drugs, increase blood-brain barrier transfer efficiency, and specifically target brain cancer cells. These unique features would potentially allow for more efficient treatment of brain cancer with fewer side effects and better therapeutic outcomes. This review provides an overview of brain cancers, current therapeutic options, and challenges to efficient brain cancer treatment. The latest advances in nanomedicine strategies are investigated with an emphasis on targeted and stimulus-responsive nanocarriers and their potential for clinical translation.
Insights
Nanomedicine offers new hope for brain cancer treatment, particularly glioblastoma. Advanced nanocarriers improve drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier, targeting cancer cells for better outcomes with fewer side effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Brain cancers, including glioblastoma multiforme, present significant therapeutic challenges due to poor prognosis and limited treatment efficacy.
- Nanomedicine has demonstrated versatility in disease treatment and was crucial in developing COVID-19 vaccines via lipid nanocarriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current brain cancer therapies and their limitations.
- To explore the latest advancements in nanomedicine for brain cancer treatment.
- To emphasize targeted and stimulus-responsive nanocarriers for potential clinical translation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on brain cancer treatments.
- Investigation of nanocarrier properties (size, shape, surface chemistry, drug release).
- Analysis of nanocarrier strategies for improving drug pharmacokinetics and blood-brain barrier penetration.
Main Results:
- Nanocarriers can be engineered to enhance drug delivery to brain tumors.
- Specific nanocarrier designs improve targeting of brain cancer cells.
- Tunable physicochemical properties of nanocarriers offer potential for personalized treatment.
Conclusions:
- Nanomedicine presents a promising avenue for improving brain cancer treatment efficacy.
- Targeted and stimulus-responsive nanocarriers show potential for enhanced therapeutic outcomes and reduced side effects.
- Further research into nanocarrier clinical translation is warranted for brain cancer patients.
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