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Nanotherapeutic strategy against glioblastoma using enzyme inhibitors
Rekha Thiruvengadam1, Boluwatife Olamide Dareowolabi1, Eun-Yi Moon1
1Department of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive brain cancer and thus patients with glioblastoma have a severely low 5-year survival rate (<5 %). Glioblastoma damages neural centers, causing severe depression, anxiety, and cognitive disorders. Glioblastoma is highly resistant to most of available anti-tumor medications, due to heterogeneity of glioblastoma as well as the presence of stem-like cells. To overcome the challenges in the current medications against glioblastoma, novel medications that are effective in treating the aggressive and heterogenous glioblastoma should be developed. Enzyme inhibitor and nanomedicine have been getting attention because of effective anticancer efficacies of enzyme inhibitors and a role of nanomedicine as effective carrier of chemotherapeutic drugs by targeting specific tumor areas. Furthermore, a tumor-initiating neuroinflammatory microenvironment, which is crucial for glioblastoma progression, was linked with several carcinogenesis pathways. Therefore, in this review, first we summarize neuroinflammation and glioblastoma-related neuropathways. Second, we discuss the importance of enzyme inhibitors targeting specific proteins in relation with neuroinflammation and glioblastoma-related molecular mechanisms. Third, we summarize recent findings on the significance of nanotherapeutic anticancer drugs developed using natural or synthetic enzyme inhibitors against glioblastoma as well as currently available Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs against glioblastoma.
Insights
Novel enzyme inhibitors and nanomedicine offer new hope for treating aggressive glioblastoma (a form of brain cancer). These approaches target tumor heterogeneity and neuroinflammation, improving therapeutic outcomes for patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain cancer with a poor prognosis (<5% 5-year survival rate).
- Current treatments face challenges due to glioblastoma's heterogeneity and resistance, leading to severe neurological and psychological deficits.
- Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in glioblastoma progression and carcinogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review neuroinflammation and glioblastoma-related neuropathways.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of enzyme inhibitors targeting glioblastoma's molecular mechanisms and neuroinflammation.
- To summarize advancements in nanotherapeutics utilizing enzyme inhibitors for glioblastoma treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review summarizing research on neuroinflammation and glioblastoma.
- Analysis of enzyme inhibitors targeting specific proteins involved in glioblastoma.
- Review of nanotherapeutic strategies and FDA-approved drugs for glioblastoma.
Main Results:
- Enzyme inhibitors show promise for targeting glioblastoma's aggressive and heterogeneous nature.
- Nanomedicine offers effective drug delivery systems for targeted glioblastoma therapy.
- Targeting neuroinflammatory pathways presents a viable strategy against glioblastoma.
Conclusions:
- Enzyme inhibitors and nanomedicine represent promising therapeutic avenues for glioblastoma.
- Combined approaches targeting molecular mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment are crucial.
- Further development of targeted nanotherapeutics holds potential for improved glioblastoma treatment outcomes.
