Polymeric and lipid-based drug delivery systems for treatment of glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive, malignant brain tumor found in adults, and has a short median survival time (MST). GBM is a heterogeneous group of brain tumors, is highly prone to develop resistance and likely to recur. In the context of GBM, the delivery of anti-cancer drugs is challenging because the blood brain barrier (BBB) restricts the passage of small molecules. Currently, nanomedicines based on liposomes, micelles, polymeric nanoparticles, and microparticles have attracted much attention, because they can cross the BBB and deliver anti-cancer drugs specifically to brain tumors. In this context, hydrogel-based systems incorporating nanoparticles, implantable carmustine wafers, microspheres, and lipid-based nanoparticles now appear to offer more effective, safer treatment strategies than conventional chemotherapeutic regimens. This review describes different polymeric hydrogel, chitosan, dendrimers, wafers, microspheres, and lipid-based nanoparticles like liposomes and solid-lipid nanoparticles that offers prominent strategies for the treatment and diagnosis of GBM.