Applications of Multifunctional Nanoparticles in Malignant Brain Tumours

European Association of NeuroOncology Magazine 2014; 4 (1): 9-15

PDF    Summary   




Keywords: drug delivery,  glioblastoma,  malignant brain tumour,  MRI,  nanoparticles,  thermotherapy

Malignant brain tumours are one of the most devastating human cancers associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Clinical management of these tumours remains challenging despite recent advances in current treatment strategies. Difficulties in early detection, local recurrence, and resistance to conventional therapies are the major reasons for failure in malignant brain tumour treatment. Nanoparticles have drawn increased interest in treating malignant brain tumours due to their potential to act as a vector for brain delivery and to provide tumour-specific detection and treatment. Multitasking nanoparticles can be engineered into a single nanoplatform and hold great promise for brain tumour diagnosis and treatment. Currently, magnetic nanoparticles are being used for the imaging and treatment of malignant brain tumours in humans. This review article summarizes different types of multifunctional nanoparticles that have been used both preclinically and in humans for nanoparticle-based brain tumour imaging and therapy.