Nanotechnology-based cancer chemoprevention in glioblastoma

Abstract

Brain tumours are heterogeneous and are classified comprehensively into molecular subtypes based on genetic alterations. Glioblastoma rapid progression, drug resistance, and recurrence have been scientifically linked to several factors, including its rapid growth rate, loss of apoptosis, pro-survival signalling, molecular heterogeneities and hallmark features to infiltrate vital brain structures. Because of the growing demand for design and development of delivery systems to overcome the existing limitations with the current therapeutic strategies, researchers are exploiting multifaceted aspects of nanotechnology to improve delivery of the drug payload. Firstly, nanotechnology procedures can improve the drug delivery methods with the help of nanoparticles (NPs) based nanovectors that can efficiently cross blood-brain barrier. Secondly, NPs also improve the cellular uptake of the drug as they can efficiently bind with the cell surface. Thirdly, NPs make the delivery of siRNAs and peptides possible, which can suppress the resistance of glioblastoma against TMZ or other chemo-preventive drugs. Fourthly, the use of metal NPs increases the efficiency of scanning or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures as they can produce contrasts in it. Lastly, NPs make it possible to use highly targeted co-administered strategies like chemoprevention and near infrared (NIR) or radiotherapy (RT). Hence, nanotechnology offers several promising solutions against glioblastoma by countering it on many fronts.