Multifunctional nanoparticles for brain tumor imaging and therapy.
Brain tumors are a diverse group of neoplasms that often carry a poor prognosis for patients. Despite tremendous efforts to develop diagnostic tools and therapeutic avenues, the treatment of brain tumors remains a formidable challenge in the field of neuro-oncology. Physiological barriers including the blood-brain barrier result in insufficient accumulation of therapeutic agents at the site of a tumor, preventing adequate destruction of malignant cells. Furthermore, there is a need for improvements in brain tumor imaging to allow for better characterization and delineation of tumors, visualization of malignant tissue during surgery, and tracking of response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Multifunctional nanoparticles offer the potential to improve upon many of these issues and may lead to breakthroughs in brain tumor management. In this review, we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nanoparticles for brain tumors with an emphasis on innovative approaches in tumor targeting, tumor imaging, and therapeutic agent delivery. Clinically feasible nanoparticle administration strategies for brain tumor patients are also examined. Furthermore, we address the barriers towards clinical implementation of multifunctional nanoparticles in the context of brain tumor management.
The Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Yu
Y
Cheng
The Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Ramin A
RA
Morshed
The Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Brenda
B
Auffinger
The Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Alex L
AL
Tobias
The Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: mlesniak@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu.
Maciej S
MS
Lesniak
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003287:Contrast Media
Brain tumor; Diagnosis; Drug delivery; Imaging; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Theranostics; Therapy