Application of Carbon Nanotubes to Brain Tumor Therapy

Abstract

The sections in this article are Introduction The Current Challenge of Brain Tumor Therapy Current Status of Clinical Practice in Brain Tumor Therapy The Progress of Investigational Therapies for Brain Tumors Targeted Molecular Therapy Anti-Angiogenic Therapy Immunotherapy Gene Therapy The Characteristics of CNTs for Biological Applications Single-Walled and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Functionalization of CNTs Covalent Surface Modification Noncovalent Surface Modification CNT Delivery System Delivery of Antibodies and Peptides Delivery of siRNA Delivery of DNA Molecules Delivery of CpG Delivery of Vaccines Delivery of Chemical Drugs Strategies of Application of CNTs to Brain Tumor Therapy CNTs Targeting Brain Tumor-Macrophages Internalization of CNTs by BV2 Microglia Cells In Vitro Preferential Uptake of CNTs by Macrophages in a Glioma Model Phosphatidylserine-Coated CNTs Targeting Microglia/Macrophages CNTs Targeting Tumor Cells and Preliminary Efforts Towards In Vivo Cancer Therapy CNTs Actively Targeting Tumor Cells CNTs Passively Targeting Tumor Cells CNTs Thermal Effects on Tumor Cells Toxicity Issues of CNTs in Brain Tumor Therapy Conclusions and Future Directions Acknowledgments Keywords: carbon nanotubes; drug-delivery system; nanomedicine; brain tumor; immunotherapy; tumor-associated macrophage; siRNA; CpG oligodeoxynucleotides