Glioblastoma multiforme: a glance at advanced therapies based on nanotechnology

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM, grade IV) is the most common malignant and invasive central nervous system tumor with poor survival outcome. Various pathogenesis signatures such as genetic mutation, hypoxia, necrosis and neo-angiogenesis are involved in GBM. Standard treatment includes surgical resection along with radiation therapy and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy that do not improve the overall survival of patients. In this review, we focused on the diagnosis, risk factors and novel therapies, using advanced therapies such as nanotechnology in drug delivery, gene therapy and hyperthermia that have promising roles in the treatment of aggressive brain tumors.

Keywords:

• Brain tumor
• neuro-oncology
• glioblastoma
• nanotechnology

Acknowledgement

The authors thank Nasrin Shokrpour for revising the English text.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Figure 1. Graphical abstract.

Figure 2. Timeline of glioblastoma; from diagnostic to present.