title: Nanotechnology Applications for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.
abstract: Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) are invariably fatal tumors found in the pons of elementary school aged children. These tumors are grade II-IV gliomas, with a median survival of less than 1 year from diagnosis when treated with standard of care (SOC) therapy. Nanotechnology may offer therapeutic options for the treatment of DIPGs. Multiple nanoparticle formulations are currently being investigated for the treatment of DIPGs. Nanoparticles based upon stable elements, polymer nanoparticles, and organic nanoparticles are under development for the treatment of brain tumors, including DIPGs. Targeting of nanoparticles is now possible as delivery techniques that address the difficulty in crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB) are developed. Theranostic nanoparticles, a combination of therapeutics and diagnostic nanoparticles, improve imaging of the cancerous tissue while delivering therapy to the local region. However, additional time and attention should be directed to developing a nanoparticle delivery system for treatment of the uniformly fatal pediatric disease of DIPG.
authors.forename: Amy Lee
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bredlau
authors.forename: Suraj
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dixit
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 68 President Street, MSC 120/BEB 213, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Ann-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Broome
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005910:Glioma / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000378:metabolism; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D011149:Pons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents