Role of Polymeric Local Drug Delivery in Multimodal Treatment of Malignant Glioma: A Review.

Authors: Tseng YY, Chen TY, Liu SJ

Malignant gliomas (MGs) are the most common and devastating primary brain tumor. At present, surgical interventions, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are only marginally effective in prolonging the life expectancy of patients with MGs. Inherent heterogeneity, aggressive invasion and infiltration, intact physical barriers, and the numerous mechanisms underlying chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance contribute to the poor prognosis for patients with MGs. Various studies have investigated methods to overcome these obstacles in MG treatment. In this review, we address difficulties in MG treatment and focus on promising polymeric local drug delivery systems. In contrast to most local delivery systems, which are directly implanted into the residual cavity after intratumoral injection or the surgical removal of a tumor, some rapidly developing and promising nanotechnological methods-including surface-decorated nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, and focused ultrasound assist transport-are administered through (systemic) intravascular injection. We also discuss further synergistic and multimodal strategies for heightening therapeutic efficacy. Finally, we outline the challenges and therapeutic potential of these polymeric drug delivery systems.

Introduction

Purpose Drug delivery WITHOUT BBB opening

Study Objective To review the challenges in treating malignant gliomas and evaluate promising polymeric local and nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and multimodal strategies to improve therapeutic efficacy.

Disease model Malignant gliomas

Route of administration Intratumoral injection; local implantation into the post-surgical/residual tumor cavity; systemic intravascular injection (intravenous)

Outcomes and Safety

Summary of Outcomes Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (including surface-decorated and magnetic NPs) can enhance drug delivery across the BBB—increasing local drug concentration, enabling targeted delivery, controlled release, MRI contrast and hyperthermia—and may improve outcomes when combined with multimodal (chemotherapy, gene, immuno) therapies. The review states focused ultrasound (FUS) facilitates NP transport across the BBB but does not report or compare specific FUS parameter sets or identify particular parameters as successful.

Safety-related matter The paper states that biodegradable nanoscale drug delivery carriers can increase local drug concentrations and reduce systemic adverse effects; no specific adverse events or safety issues are reported in the provided text.

Brain Region

Visualization unavailable

Ultrasound Parameters

Focal Characteristics focal depth: None; focal length: None; aperture size: None

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