Abstract
Chemotherapy and radiation remain as mainstays in the treatment of a variety of cancers globally, yet some therapies exhibit limited specificity and result in harsh side effects in patients. Brain tissue differs from other tissue due to restrictions from the blood–brain barrier, thus systemic treatment options are limited. The focus of this review is on nanogels as local and systemic drug delivery systems in the treatment of brain cancer. Nanogels are a unique local or systemic drug delivery system that is tailorable and consists of a three-dimensional polymeric network formed via physical or chemical assembly. For example, thermosensitive nanogels show promise in their ability to incorporate therapeutic agents in nano-structured matrices, be applied in the forms of sprays or sols to the area from which a tumor has been removed, form adhesive gels to fill the cavity and deliver treatment locally. Their usage does come with complications, such as handling, storage, chemical stability, and degradation. Despite these limitations, the current ongoing development of nanogels allows patient-centered treatment that can be considered as a promising tool for the management of brain cancer.
Highlights
With the continuous input of scientific medical research, cancer treatments have improved substantially over the past decade
A multitude of brain tumor types exist that are categorized based on their location of origin and malignancy properties, and surgical removal and chemotherapy serve as vital options for the majority of types that are deemed treatable
Unlike gliadel wafers that require cutting and overlapping wafers to properly cover cavities of different sizes and shapes, the dose of the drugs loaded in nanogels can be controlled and adjusted using a syringe to offer patient-centered treatment. In this short review paper, we summarized the desirable properties of nanogels and possible obstacles with their development and use, and highlighted the application of biocompatible nanogels as a drug delivery system in brain cancer
Summary
With the continuous input of scientific medical research, cancer treatments have improved substantially over the past decade. Extrinsic malignant tumors, such as meningiomas and schwannomas arise from dura matter and Schwann cells, respectively Patients may experience both general and localized symptoms prior to diagnosis and radiographic visualization of their brain tumors. Its mechanism of action consists of the transfer of its alkyl group at the O6and N7 guanine positions causing DNA double strand breaks and apoptosis inside the nucleus of cancer cells [11], Historically, the nitrosoureas (e.g., carmustine, lomustine) and vincristine have been the most widely used class of chemotherapy agents due to their physicochemical properties that enable them to penetrate the BBB and exert therapeutic effects [12,13,14]. Cranial radiation may affect other body systems, causing endocrine abnormalities due to a disruption of normal pituitary/hypothalamic axis function and leading to a need for increasing monitoring of anterior and posterior pituitary hormone levels [18]
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