Carbon nanotubes in brain targeted drug delivery: A comprehensive review

Abstract

The treatment of brain diseases remains a significant challenge in modern medicine, primarily due to the restrictive nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which limits drug delivery. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as a promising strategy for overcoming this obstacle, providing an innovative platform for targeted drug delivery to the brain. This review presents a detailed analysis of CNTs as drug carriers, with a particular emphasis on their application in brain tumor treatment. Their unique physicochemical properties, including a high surface area, tunable surface chemistry, and exceptional drug-loading capacity, make them ideal candidates for encapsulating and delivering therapeutic agents with precision. Functionalization with targeting ligands further enhances the specificity of CNTs, enabling drugs to reach brain tumors more effectively while minimizing off-target effects. The review examines advancements in CNT-based drug delivery systems, particularly their role in transporting chemotherapy drugs, nucleic acid-based therapies, and other small molecules across the BBB. It also highlights their potential to improve therapeutic efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity. Furthermore, the challenges and opportunities associated with CNT-based drug delivery, such as safety concerns, regulatory barriers, and clinical translation, are explored. The discussion extends to the development of multifunctional CNT platforms that combine imaging agents with therapeutic payloads, allowing for real-time tumor monitoring and treatment. Ultimately, this review provides insights into the potential of CNTs as carriers for brain-targeted drug delivery, offering a pathway toward more effective and less invasive brain tumor therapies. Understanding current advancements and addressing existing challenges will be crucial for realizing the full potential of CNT-based drug delivery in neuro-oncology.