Overcoming the Challenges in the Treatment of Glioblastoma via Nanocarrier-based Drug Delivery Approach

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme is the most malignant form of high-grade astrocytoma. Clinically it is characterized as 4th grade of astrocytoma having necrotic tissue and hyperplastic blood vessel. It is observed to be the most frequent adult brain tumor representing an overall 15.4% of all brain tumors and about 60-75% of the entire astrocytoma. There are limited therapies available, and the most widely used therapy includes surgical intrusion followed by radiotherapy plus chemotherapy (paclitaxel, temozolomide, docetaxel, etc.), with an overall patient survival rate from 6-14 months. Various studies have proved that nanoformulations offer considerable advantages like enhanced drug solubility, targeted activity, and attenuated side effects. Objective: The key objective of this review article is to exemplify numerous studies carried out using nanocarriers for overcoming the challenges associated with the treatment of glioblastoma. It also describes the pathways associated with the induction, initiation, and progression of glioblastoma. Methods: Research articles that focused on the use of nanocarrier-based drug delivery approach for the treatment of various glioblastoma were collected from different search engines such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, and PubMed using keywords like glioblastoma, nanocarriers, brain delivery, etc. Results: Nanocarriers have shown enormous potential in overcoming the challenges associated with the treat-ment of glioblastoma. Conclusion: Broad research is essential so that these nanocarriers can be used clinically for the welfare of mankind, in the management of glioblastoma, in the near future.