Nanotechnology Applications for Glioblastoma

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Edjah Nduom, Emory University; Alexandros Bouras, Emory University; Milota Kaluzova, Emory University; Constantinos G Hadjipanayis, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2012-07
• Publisher: WB Saunders
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nec.2012.04.006
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Neurosurgery Clinics of North America
• ISSN: 1042-3680
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: 439
• End Page: 449
• Grant/Funding Information: CGH: NIH (NS053454), the Georgia Cancer Coalition, Distinguished Cancer Clinicians and Scientists Program, the Robbins Scholar Award, and the Dana Foundation.; AB: American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Section on Tumors Brainlab International Fellowship
• Keywords: Magnetic Nanoparticles; Malignant Brain Tumors; Thermotherapy; EGFR; Convection-Enhanced Delivery; MRI; Nanoparticles; Glioblastoma
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

Synopsis Glioblastoma remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat and represents the most common primary malignancy of the brain. While conventional treatments have found modest success in reducing the initial tumor burden, infiltrating cancer cells beyond the main mass are responsible for tumor recurrence and ultimate patient demise. Targeting the residual infiltrating cancer cells requires the development of new treatment strategies. The emerging field of cancer nanotechnology holds much promise in the use of multifunctional nanoparticles for the imaging and targeted therapy of GBM.. Nanoparticles have emerged as potential “theranostic” agents that can permit the diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of GBM tumors. A recent human clinical trial with magnetic nanoparticles has provided feasibility and efficacy data for potential treatment of GBM patients with thermotherapy. Here we examine the current state of nanotechnology in the treatment of glioblastoma and interesting directions of further study.