AAPS PharmSciTechNov 20, 2025

Nanocarriers for Glioblastoma: Ways to Bypass Barriers to Better Brain Tumor Treatment

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Mar 29, 2026

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor in adults, with limited treatment options due to its complex biology and the blood-brain barrier.

GBM is characterized by rapid progression, high invasiveness, and resistance to conventional therapies.
Key oncogenic pathways involved in GBM include the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and PD-L1 signaling.
Traditional drug delivery methods face significant challenges in crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Advanced nanocarrier systems, such as liposomes and nanoparticles, may enhance drug delivery to the central nervous system.
Recent preclinical and clinical trials indicate progress in nanomedicine-based treatments for GBM.
Future approaches may focus on personalized medicine and combination therapies to improve treatment outcomes.

Simplified

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and lethal primary brain tumor in adults, characterized by rapid progression, high invasiveness, and resistance to conventional therapies. Despite decades of research, effective treatment remains elusive due to the complex molecular landscape of GBM and the formidable challenge posed by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which significantly restricts the delivery of therapeutic agents to the central nervous system (CNS). This article provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of GBM, focusing on the key oncogenic pathways involved in its pathogenesis, including the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, PD-L1 Evasion and signaling cascades. It also highlights the limitations of traditional drug delivery methods in crossing the BBB and explores the potential of advanced nanocarrier systems such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and exosomes-in overcoming these barriers to enhance drug bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. We further examine recent advancements in preclinical and clinical trials involving nanomedicine-based GBM treatments, along with notable patent filings that reflect the growing innovation in this field. Finally, we discuss future directions in personalized medicine, combination therapies, and emerging technologies aimed at improving treatment outcomes for GBM patients. Through a multidisciplinary lens, this article underscores the urgent need for novel strategies to address the unmet clinical challenges in glioblastoma therapy.

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Declarations. Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate: Not applicable. Consent for Publication: Not applicable. Declarations: The authors confirm that no paper mill and no artificial intelligence were used. Competing Interest: The authors declare no competing interests.

PubMed

Nanocarriers for Glioblastoma: Ways to Bypass Barriers to Better Brain Tumor Treatment

Abstract

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Competing interests

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