Comprehensive review on glioblastoma: nanotechnology, immunotherapy and combined therapeutic approaches

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most dangerous type of brain cancer because of spontaneous microvascular growth, which leads to damage to nearby brain tissues. GBM affects a huge population across the globe and current therapies for GBM have not proven fruitful in past decades due to poor clinical prognosis. The slow progression of GBM makes it difficult to track during diagnosis for treatment. Thus, there is a need to develop some cutting-edge drug delivery platforms, which could overcome the challenges faced in the delivery of current therapeutic drugs. Nanotechnology has been an emerging paradigm to unravel promising drug therapies, be they immunotherapy or combination therapy. The surface modification of nanocarriers led to significant improvements in therapeutic aspects of GBM. The surface-modified entities could be monoclonal antibodies, functional peptides, growth inhibitors, folic acid, transferrin, or lectins. Immunotherapeutic interventions, such as vaccines, oncolytic virotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and CAR T-cell and N-k cell therapies, are rising as a treatment model for GBM. Future research must elaborate on remedies that can encounter problems with current treatment. However, numerous research studies are underway to explore new treatments. The current review reveals potential future therapies to challenge the issues faced in the treatment of GBM. Nanotechnology-based drug carriers, surface modification of nanocarriers for enhanced drug delivery to GBM and immunotherapeutic approaches are enlisted. The review also discusses multi-modal approaches to tackle resistance and others issues related to monotherapy.