Lipid‐Based Nanocarriers for The Treatment of Glioblastoma

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant neoplasia having origin in the brain. The current treatments involve surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, being complete surgical resection the best option for the patient survival chances. However, in those cases where a complete removal is not possible, radiation and chemotherapy are applied. Herein, the main challenges of chemotherapy, and how they can be overcome with the help of nanomedicine, are approached. Natural pathways to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) are detailed, and different in vivo studies where these pathways are mimicked functionalizing the nanomaterial surface are shown. Later, lipid-based nanocarriers, such as liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and nanostructured lipid carriers, are presented. To finish, recent studies that have used lipid-based nanosystems carrying not only therapeutic agents, yet also magnetic nanoparticles, are described. Although the advantages of using these types of nanosystems are explained, including their biocompatibility, the possibility of modifying their surface to enhance the cell targeting, and their intrinsic ability of BBB crossing, it is important to mention that research in this field is still at its early stage, and extensive preclinical and clinical investigations are mandatory in the close future.

Core–Shell Nanoparticle Combined with Bacterial Targeting and Antibiotic Loading for Bacteria Tracing and Clearing

“…Vancomycin release assays were conducted in vitro using the following method: loaded NPs dispersed in 5 mL PBS (2 m, pH ¼ 7.4) were sonicated for 15 min, then transferred to a dialysis bag (molecular weight ¼ 12 kDa) that allowed only vancomycin to diffuse, and finally placed in a shaker at constant temperature and speed at 37 °C in darkness. To measure the absorbance at 280 nm, 1 mL of solution was collected, and 1 mL of fresh PBS was added to the system at specific time points (2,4,6,12,24,72,120, and 168 h).…”

“…[19] Fortunately, with the rapid development of nanotechnology, a new solution has emerged: the design and development of effective nanoantibacterial approaches for bacteria tracing and targeted drug delivery. [20][21][22][23][24][25] The approach using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), an inorganic nanomaterial, is particularly promising. [26] MSNs are an excellent and biocompatible drug carrier owing to their large specific surface area, good biocompatibility, easy surface modification, and high stability.…”

Obstacles to Glioblastoma Treatment Two Decades after Temozolomide

“…A wide range of spherical and non-spherical nanoparticles (NPs) with different sizes, architectures and surface properties have also been designed as drug delivery systems for the brain. Among them, lipid-based nanoparticles, such as liposomes, have been identified as promising in the delivery of antitumor drugs to the CNS, overcoming the limitations imposed by the BBB, but they need improvement to more efficiently entrap the drug and be stable in the long term [111,125,130]. Liposomes enriched with monoclonal antibodies against transferrin receptors, GFAP or GLUT4, increased DOX transport to the brain [109].…”

“…In addition to liposomes, other NPs are being tested and approved for non-brain cancers, such as polymer NPs, solid lipid NPs, magnetic NPs, quantum dots, porous silicon NPs, mesoporous silica NPs among others [115,126,131,133]. Recently, it has been shown that intranasal administration of nanoparticles enriched with chemotherapeutic molecules can be an efficient strategy to bypass the BBB and allow entry of drugs into the brain via the olfactory and trigeminal nerves [130]. The literature indicates clinical trials combining CED and liposomes for intracellular drug delivery of agents normally unable to cross cell membranes [128].…”

Involvement of Resveratrol against Brain Cancer: A Combination Strategy with a Pharmaceutical Approach

“…Because of the extensive tuning process that SLN and NLC went through for delivering nucleic acids, these nanoparticles were regarded as suitable candidates to transport mRNA for COVID-19 vaccines (Zhang). Furthermore, due to their great biocompatibility and minimal immunogenicity, SLNs and NLCs are regarded as the ideal options for addressing CNS disorders [ 142 ].…”