Nanotube breakthroughs: unveiling the potential of carbon nanotubes as a dual therapeutic arsenal for Alzheimer’s disease and brain tumors

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and brain tumors are debilitating neurological conditions that pose significant challenges in current medical practices. Existing treatment options for AD primarily focus on symptom management, and brain tumors often require aggressive therapeutic approaches. Novel disease-modifying strategies and therapeutic agents are urgently needed to address the underlying causes of AD pathogenesis and improve brain tumor management. In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) have shown promise as valuable tools in diagnosing and managing various brain disorders, including AD. Among these, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have garnered attention for their unique properties and biomedical potential. Their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with ease opens up new possibilities for targeted drug delivery and neuroprotection. This literature review aims to explore the versatile nature of CNTs, which can be functionalized with various biomolecules or substances due to their sp2 hybridization. This adaptability enables them to specifically target cells and deliver medications under specific environmental conditions. Moreover, CNTs possess an exceptional capacity to penetrate cell membranes, making them valuable tools in the treatment of AD and brain tumors. By delving into the role of CNTs in biomedicine, this review sheds light on their potential in managing AD, offering a glimpse of hope for effective disease-modifying options. Understanding the mechanisms of CNTs’ action and their capabilities in targeting and delivering medication to affected cells will pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies that can improve the lives of those afflicted with these devastating neurological conditions. The exploration of CNTs as a dual therapeutic arsenal for both brain tumors and Alzheimer’s disease holds great promise and may usher in a new era of effective treatment strategies for these challenging conditions.

Nanotechnological advances in cancer: therapy a comprehensive review of carbon nanotube applications

“…The exploration of carbon nanotubes as carriers for drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) has been an important area of scientific inquiry. Although carbon nanotubes exhibit low solubility in water in their unaltered form, through careful functionalization and modification they can be engineered to cross the robust blood-brain barrier (BBB), opening up new possibilities for therapeutic interventions within the CNS ( Elsori et al, 2023 ). The unique physical and chemical properties of carbon nanotubes ( Du et al, 2017 ), such as their excellent electrical conductivity, strength, and surface area, have prompted research into their potential diagnostic applications in CNS-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.…”

The Role of Fullerenes in Neurodegenerative Disorders

“…Table 1 highlights some of the current treatments for AD and PD. Since their discovery, fullerenes and their derivatives have drawn considerable attention in the biomedical field, owing to their excellent antioxidant and neuroprotective potential [21][22][23][24]. Because of their ability to interact with and influence assembly of peptides and proteins, fullerenes and their derivatives have the potential to serve as novel therapeutics in treating neurodegenerative disorders [25].…”