Nanomaterials to prevent progression of glioblastoma multiforme from diabetes mellitus

Background

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most prevalent and deadly tumor in the central nervous system, posed a formidable challenge to healthcare. The prognosis revealed a varied and aggressive characters of malignancy to exacerbate GBM illness with comorbidities like diabetes mellitus (DM) for standard therapy. In addition, the differentiation of cancer stem cells and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) incited the major weakness of radiation and chemotherapy for GBM.

Methods

With the understanding that DM promoted GBM pathogenesis through mechanisms, such as inflammatory and immune responses, our research aimed to address this complex interplay through innovative nanotechnology. Leveraging the unique properties of biomaterials, including the ability to penetrate the BBB and to selectively conjugate tumor cells, we hypothesized that nanotherapeutics could construct a promising avenue for intervention of GBM with DM.

Significant findings

Nanomaterial-mediated release of chemotherapeutics surpassed the limitations of conventional preparation for GBM treatment, improved pharmacokinetics, and reduced systemic toxicity with better safety in GBM patients with DM. The strategy to retard GBM propagation focused on targeted delivery of pharmacotherapeutic agents across the BBB with nanoparticles, peptides and monoclonal antibodies. Moreover, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was treated with a variety of modalities. T2DM patients must receive strict antidiabetic medication when diet and exercise failed to control hyperglycemia. The main drawbacks of T2DM treatment were fast release and inadequate absorption of the medicine via oral administration, and an increase in the frequency of dose was required. Epidemiologic evidence indicated that GBM was associated with T2DM and with diabetes risk factors. Consensus of biomedical experts suggested the connection of GBM incidence to T2DM, including common pathologic factors in T2DM and GBM, influence of diabetes treatment on GBM risk, and possible biologic links between T2DM and GBM. To enhance bioactivity, biosafety and solubility, prolong release, and boost BBB permeability, biomaterial drug delivery system attracted strong attentions. Through investigating a series of in vitro and in vivo models, this study featured the panorama of recently developed nanocarriers to mitigate GBM evolution in diabetic population with minimized systemic side effects. We also evaluated the up-to-date studies, and emphasized the remained problems related to nano-preparation in clinical trials for GBM therapy.