Nanotechnology Meets Oncology: Nanomaterials in Brain Cancer Research, Diagnosis and Therapy

Abstract

Advances in technology of the past decades led to development of new nanometer scale diagnosis and treatment approaches in cancer medicine leading to establishment of nanooncology. Inorganic and organic nanomaterials have been shown to improve bioimaging techniques and targeted drug delivery systems. Their favorable physico-chemical characteristics, like small sizes, large surface area compared to volume, specific structural characteristics, and possibility to attach different molecules on their surface transform them into excellent transport vehicles able to cross cell and/or tissue barriers, including the blood–brain barrier. The latter is one of the greatest challenges in diagnosis and treatment of brain cancers. Application of nanomaterials can prolong the circulation time of the drugs and contrasting agents in the brain, posing an excellent opportunity for advancing the treatment of the most aggressive form of the brain cancer—glioblastomas. However, possible unwanted side-effects and toxicity issues must be considered before final clinical translation of nanoparticles.

Review: Organic nanoparticle based active targeting for photodynamic therapy treatment of breast cancer cells

“…The cell viability efficiency of BTA@CD was reported to be 89%, while less than 9% viability was recorded for BTA@CD-Man 7 after 30 min exposure to 665 nm light. In vivo treatments also confirmed the effectiveness of PDT with BTA@CD-Man7 as the breast cancer tumour growth was notably inhibited in a mouse model treated with BTA@CD-Man7 and irradiation when Polymeric NPs/micelles Biocompatible, non-toxic, biodegradable, enhanced pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties [57,58] Block copolymer micelles High loading capacity, carrier of water insoluble drugs, protection against degradation, drug stability improvement, [57,59] Liposomes Carrier of neutral, hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, improved biocompatibility with PEG, suitable for passive and active targeting [3] Virus-like and albumin NPs Water solubility, low immunogenicity, high tumour penetration and distribution, low cost production, high stability [59,60] compared with BTA@CD and irradiation. Furthermore, the tumour weight in the mice treated with BTA@CD-Man7 plus irradiation was remarkably smaller than control groups [73].…”

Passing across the blood-brain barrier in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)

“…According to American Cancer Society the number of new cases of cancer in 2040 will reach nearly 27,5 million, while in the end of 2020 over 23,8 thousand adults and 3,5 thousand children under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with primary brain tumors or primary spinal cord tumors [5,7]. Primary brain tumors are 5-10% of all neoplasms and are challenging both in clinical oncology and research studies, as the 5-year survival rate for patients with CNS cancer is 36% and the 10-year survival rate is 31% [6,8].…”

Pharmaceutical Innovations: The Grand Challenges Ahead

“…). These new capacities, together with the use of nanotechnology, have translated in new self-delivered drugs, and high precision targeted drug delivery systems, thus advancing the old paradigm of the "magic bullet" (2,9).…”