Localized Chemotherapy Strategies for Glioblastoma Treatment

Glioblastoma is an aggressive primary brain tumour with a dismal prognosis under systemic chemotherapy owing to the restrictive blood–brain barrier, tumour heterogeneity and rapid recurrence. Localised chemotherapy strategies seek to bypass systemic limitations by delivering cytotoxic agents directly at the resection cavity or into tumour tissue. Approaches include biodegradable polymer implants loaded with alkylating agents, wafer-based delivery systems, injectable hydrogels and electrospun nanofibre constructs. These platforms enable sustained, high local concentrations of drugs such as temozolomide or carmustine while minimising peripheral toxicity. Active and passive targeting modalities have been incorporated into nanocarriers and hydrogels to engage residual cancer stem cells and infiltrating tumour margins. Convection-enhanced delivery and peptide-mediated transport are also under study to enhance distribution within the parenchyma. By integrating chemotherapeutics with immunomodulators or photothermal agents, combination regimens delivered locally offer the prospect of overcoming resistance and delaying recurrence. Collectively, these innovations represent a shift from systemic to precision local therapy with the aim of extending survival and preserving neurological function.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated the power of engineered polymeric implants for sustained intratumoural chemotherapy. A three-dimensional nano-implant composed of electrospun polymer blends achieved continuous temozolomide release for up to one month in orthotopic models, yielding markedly improved long-term survival and minimal systemic exposure. Similarly, multi-layered core-sheath fibre membranes loaded with carmustine were fabricated by coaxial electrospinning and formed into discs for interstitial placement. In vivo evaluation revealed controlled drug release kinetics over weeks, complete tumour regression in co-implantation protocols and significant survival benefits when implanted five days after tumour establishment. These innovations underscore the feasibility of tailoring polymer architecture to modulate drug release profiles and highlight the translational potential of biodegradable nano-fibre systems for interstitial chemotherapy.

Localized Chemotherapy Strategies for Glioblastoma Treatment publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in localized chemotherapy strategies for glioblastoma treatment across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Blood–brain barrier (BBB): A selective endothelial interface that restricts transport of most systemic drugs into the brain, complicating glioblastoma chemotherapy.

Nanocarrier: A submicrometre delivery vehicle, often polymeric or lipid based, designed to encapsulate and transport chemotherapeutic agents to tumour cells.

Convection-enhanced delivery (CED): A technique that employs continuous positive pressure to infuse therapeutic agents directly into brain tissue, enhancing regional distribution.

Polymeric nano-implant: A biodegradable device composed of engineered polymers that provides controlled, sustained release of chemotherapeutic drugs at a local site.

Carmustine wafer: A disc-shaped biodegradable polymer loaded with the alkylating agent carmustine, surgically placed in the tumour cavity for interstitial chemotherapy.

References

1. Current advances in temozolomide encapsulation for the enhancement of glioblastoma treatment. Theranostics (2023).
2. Nanocarrier-based drug combination therapy for glioblastoma. Theranostics (2020).
3. Delivering Therapeutics to Glioblastoma: Overcoming Biological Constraints. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2022).
4. Biocompatible copolymer formulations to treat glioblastoma multiforme. Acta Biomaterialia (2020).
5. Theranostic 3-Dimensional nano brain-implant for prolonged and localized treatment of recurrent glioma. Scientific Reports (2017).
6. Multi-layered core-sheath fiber membranes for controlled drug release in the local treatment of brain tumor. Scientific Reports (2019).
7. Gliadel wafer implantation combined with standard radiotherapy and concurrent followed by adjuvant temozolomide for treatment of newly diagnosed high-grade glioma: a systematic literature review. World Journal of Surgical Oncology (2016).