Open Access

REVIEW

Targeting brain tumors with innovative nanocarriers: bridging the gap through the blood-brain barrier

KARAN WADHWA¹, PAYAL CHAUHAN¹, SHOBHIT KUMAR², RAKESH PAHWA^3,*, RAVINDER VERMA⁴, RAJAT GOYAL⁵, GOVIND SINGH¹, ARCHANA SHARMA⁶, NEHA RAO³, DEEPAK KAUSHIK^1,*

1 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 124001, India
2 Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET) NH-58, Delhi-Roorkee Highway, Meerut, 250005, India
3 Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, 136119, India
4 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani, 127021, India
5 MM College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, Haryana, 133207, India
6 Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DIPSAR), Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi, 110017, India

* Corresponding Authors: RAKESH PAHWA. Email: ; DEEPAK KAUSHIK. Email:

Oncology Research 2024, 32(5), 877-897. https://doi.org/10.32604/or.2024.047278

Received 31 October 2023; Accepted 22 February 2024; Issue published 23 April 2024

Abstract

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is recognized as the most lethal and most highly invasive tumor. The high likelihood of treatment failure arises from the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and stem cells around GBM, which avert the entry of chemotherapeutic drugs into the tumor mass. Objective: Recently, several researchers have designed novel nanocarrier systems like liposomes, dendrimers, metallic nanoparticles, nanodiamonds, and nanorobot approaches, allowing drugs to infiltrate the BBB more efficiently, opening up innovative avenues to prevail over therapy problems and radiation therapy. Methods: Relevant literature for this manuscript has been collected from a comprehensive and systematic search of databases, for example, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and others, using specific keyword combinations, including “glioblastoma,” “brain tumor,” “nanocarriers,” and several others. Conclusion: This review also provides deep insights into recent advancements in nanocarrier-based formulations and technologies for GBM management. Elucidation of various scientific advances in conjunction with encouraging findings concerning the future perspectives and challenges of nanocarriers for effective brain tumor management has also been discussed.

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