Progress and Viewpoints of Multifunctional Composite Nanomaterials for Glioblastoma Theranostics

Abstract

The most common malignant tumor of the brain is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in adults. Many patients die shortly after diagnosis, and only 6% of patients survive more than 5 years. Moreover, the current average survival of malignant brain tumors is only about 15 months, and the recurrence rate within 2 years is almost 100%. Brain diseases are complicated to treat. The reason for this is that drugs are challenging to deliver to the brain because there is a blood–brain barrier (BBB) protection mechanism in the brain, which only allows water, oxygen, and blood sugar to enter the brain through blood vessels. Other chemicals cannot enter the brain due to their large size or are considered harmful substances. As a result, the efficacy of drugs for treating brain diseases is only about 30%, which cannot satisfy treatment expectations. Therefore, researchers have designed many types of nanoparticles and nanocomposites to fight against the most common malignant tumors in the brain, and they have been successful in animal experiments. This review will discuss the application of various nanocomposites in diagnosing and treating GBM. The topics include (1) the efficient and long-term tracking of brain images (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, and near-infrared light (NIR)); (2) breaking through BBB for drug delivery; and (3) natural and chemical drugs equipped with nanomaterials. These multifunctional nanoparticles can overcome current difficulties and achieve progressive GBM treatment and diagnosis results.

Lipid nanomaterials-based RNA therapy and cancer treatment

“…Glioblastoma is one of the most common and aggressive brain tumors and shows poor treatment response, with a <2-year average survival rate. Glioblastoma pathogenesis is mainly associated with the BBB, as it creates a formidable obstacle when treating glioblastoma 90 .…”

Graphene- and MXene-based materials for neuroscience: diagnostic and therapeutic applications

“…In this context, several types of nanomaterials have been assessed, particularly graphene and its derivatives. [109][110][111] The pristine graphene platelets could induce toxicity effects on GBM cells by elevating the number of reactive oxygen species (ROSs), which then affect the mitochondrial membrane, along with up-regulating the expression level of apoptotic and necrotic markers. 112 Moreover, nanographene coated with poly(lactide) (PLA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was used for the delivery of paclitaxel to the GBM cells.…”

Recent advancements and theranostics strategies in glioblastoma therapy

“…A few significant difficulties, such as the tumor microenvironment and location, will need to be resolved as possibilities to investigate the nanomaterials at the cancer interface arise. The nanomaterials are discovered to be optimistic for the diagnosis and treatment of a number of diseases, including many forms of malignancies, due to their capacity for passive or active targeting [108]. The modified surface properties of the nanocarriers can assist drugs to cross biological barriers in vivo, along with increased cellular uptake, reduced dose, and adverse effects of the drug [109].…”