Open AccessRole of Polymeric Local Drug Delivery in Multimodal Treatment of Malignant Glioma: A Review
Author(s) -
Yuan Yun Tseng,
Tai-Yuan Chen,
ShihJung Liu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of nanomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.245
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1178-2013
pISSN - 1176-9114
DOI - 10.2147/ijn.s309937
Subject(s) - drug delivery , glioma , drug , medicine , multimodal therapy , nanotechnology , materials science , pharmacology , cancer research , surgery
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.