Medical Device Advances in the Treatment of Glioblastoma

Abstract

Despite decades of research and the growing emergence of new treatment modalities, Glioblastoma (GBM) frustratingly remains an incurable brain cancer with largely stagnant 5-year survival outcomes of around 5%. Historically, a significant challenge has been the effective delivery of anti-cancer treatment. This review aims to summarize key innovations in the field of medical devices, developed either to improve the delivery of existing treatments, for example that of chemo-radiotherapy, or provide novel treatments using devices, such as sonodynamic therapy, thermotherapy and electric field therapy. It will highlight current as well as emerging device technologies, non-invasive versus invasive approaches, and by doing so provide a detailed summary of evidence from clinical studies and trials undertaken to date. Potential limitations and current challenges are discussed whilst also highlighting the exciting potential of this developing field. It is hoped that this review will serve as a useful primer for clinicians, scientists, and engineers in the field, united by a shared goal to translate medical device innovations to help improve treatment outcomes for patients with this devastating disease.

Autophagy Inhibition with Chloroquine Increased Pro-Apoptotic Potential of New Aziridine-Hydrazide Hydrazone Derivatives against Glioblastoma Cells

“…The BBB remains an impenetrable obstacle for many new promising antineoplastic agents and limits the effectiveness of plenty of drugs delivered through the systemic route. The main alternatives to systemic route delivery comprise delivering the drug directly to the brain tissue through surgical intervention by cerebrospinal fluid, convection-enhanced delivery, or implants containing therapeutics [51][52][53]. The other examined approach is focused on enhancing the bioavailability of therapeutics in the brain tissue by facilitating their way through the blood-brain barrier.…”

Magnetic Hyperthermia Therapy for High-Grade Glioma: A State-of-the-Art Review

“…To date, no long-term adverse effects of AMF or MHT treatment have been reported, and much of the existing data suggest that MHT is an overall safe intervention [ 9 , 10 , 14 , 95 ]. Most AMF generators approved for use in MHT produce MFs with frequencies far below the dangerous radio frequency range [ 10 , 96 ] and orders of magnitude below the frequencies used in routine MRI [ 97 ].…”

Proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 cells on polymethyl methacrylate cements containing Fe3O4 and TiO2 for hyperthermic treatment of metastatic bone tumors

“…13,14 Hyperthermia using magnetic fluid containing Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles under an alternating current magnetic field has already been approved in EU for treatment of glioblastoma since 2011. 15,16 It has been also reported that hyperthermia treatment with bone cement containing Fe 3 O 4 powder suppressed the progression of cancer in clinical trials. 17,18 Furthermore, it has been reported that thermal stimulation promotes bone formation by enhancing osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.…”