Current and future directions in interventional neuro-oncology—are we there yet?

Abstract

Advancements in technology and technical expertise increasingly enable neurointerventionalists to deliver safer and more effective endovascular treatments to cancers of the brain, spine, head, and neck. In addition to established neuro-oncological interventions such as pre-surgical tumor embolization and percutaneous ablation, newer modalities focused on direct arterial infusion of chemotherapy, radioisotopes, and radiosensitizers continue to gain traction as complementary treatment options, while stem cell-mediated delivery of theranostic nanoparticles and oncolytic virus are being explored for even greater specificity in targeting cancers across the blood–brain barrier. This article aims to provide an overview of the current state of the art and future directions for the field of interventional neuro-oncology, as well as opportunities and challenges presented by this emerging treatment modality.