Nanotechnology-Based Strategies for Glioblastoma: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Advances

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly invasive brain tumor with poor survival outcomes, largely due to incomplete resection, tumor heterogeneity, and the restrictive blood-brain barrier (BBB). Conventional therapies often fail to achieve durable responses, highlighting the immediate need for innovative strategies. Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative approach, enabling precise imaging, targeted delivery, and multimodal therapy. This review examines diverse nanomaterials, including metallic, metal oxide, carbon-based, polymeric, lipid-based nanoparticles, and exosomes, with a focus on their pharmacological interactions in GBM treatment. Key BBB penetration mechanisms, such as passive diffusion, receptor- and carrier-mediated transcytosis, adsorptivemediated uptake, and cell-mediated transport, are analyzed alongside functionalization strategies (e.g., ligand conjugation, surface charge modification) that enhance tumor selectivity and drug bioavailability. Nanocarrier-drug systems, including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and exosomebased carriers, have exhibited improved pharmacokinetics, sustained release, and synergistic effects in combination therapies. Metallic and magnetic nanoparticles provide additional advantages in photothermal therapy, radiosensitization, and MRI-guided delivery. Emerging platforms integrate therapeutic and diagnostic functionalities, offering real-time monitoring and controlled release within the tumor microenvironment. Progress in preclinical and early clinical studies emphasizes the potential of biomimetic carriers, stimuli-responsive nanoplatforms, and dual-drug systems to overcome resistance and improve survival. While translational challenges remain, nanotechnologydriven therapeutics represent a promising frontier in the management of GBM, opening new avenues for precise, individualized, and more efficient therapies.