Open Access

REVIEW

Engendered nanoparticles for treatment of brain tumors

by SOROUSH SOLEYMANI¹, MOHAMMAD DOROUDIAN^2,*, MAHDIEH SOEZI^3,4, ALI BELADI⁵, KIARASH ASGARI², ASO MOBARAKSHAHI², ARYANA AGHAEIPOUR², RONAN MACLOUGHLIN^6,7,8,*

1 Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
2 Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, 15719-14911, Iran
3 Cancer Epidemiology Research Center, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 14117-18541, Iran
4 Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 14117-18541, Iran
5 Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
6 School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, D02 YN77, Ireland
7 Research and Development, Science and Emerging Technologies, Aerogen Ltd., Galway Business Park, Galway, H91 HE94, Ireland
8 School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland

* Corresponding Authors: MOHAMMAD DOROUDIAN. Email: ; RONAN MACLOUGHLIN. Email:

Oncology Research 2025, 33(1), 15-26. https://doi.org/10.32604/or.2024.053069

Received 23 April 2024; Accepted 04 September 2024; Issue published 20 December 2024

Abstract

Brain metastasis and primary glioblastoma multiforme represent the most common and lethal malignant brain tumors. Its median survival time is typically less than a year after diagnosis. One of the major challenges in treating these cancers is the efficiency of the transport of drugs to the central nervous system. The blood-brain barrier is cooperating with advanced stages of malignancy. The blood-brain barrier poses a significant challenge to delivering systemic medications to brain tumors. Nanodrug delivery systems have emerged as promising tools for effectively crossing this barrier. Additionally, the development of smart nanoparticles brings new hope for cancer diagnosis and treatment. These nanoparticles improve drug delivery efficiency, allowing for the creation of targeted and stimuli-responsive delivery methods. This review highlights recent advancements in nanoparticle and smart nanoparticle technologies for brain cancer treatment, exploring the range of nanoparticles under development, their applications, targeting strategies, and the latest progress in enhancing transport across the blood-brain barrier. It also addresses the ongoing challenges and potential benefits of these innovative approaches.

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Keywords

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