Open Access

Nanoparticle‑based delivery systems for targeted therapy in brain tumors: Progress, challenges and perspectives (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Jing-Xing Si
    • Zheng-Chuang Liu
    • Fang Gu
    • Xiaoli Jin
    • Ying-Yu Ma
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: August 19, 2025     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2025.5789
  • Article Number: 83
  • Copyright: © Si et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Brain tumors, particularly gliomas, are among the most lethal malignancies, with high mortality driven by a delayed diagnosis and limited therapeutic efficacy. A central challenge lies in the presence of the blood‑brain barrier (BBB), which severely impedes the delivery of systemically administered therapeutics to tumor sites. Addressing this clinical urgency, nanoparticle (NP)‑based delivery systems have emerged as a transformative strategy to enhance brain‑specific drug accumulation, minimize off‑target toxicity and improve treatment outcomes. The present review systematically examined the recent advances in nanocarrier technologies for targeted brain tumor therapy, including liposomes, solid lipid NPs, dendrimers, polymeric nanoplatforms and inorganic nanomaterials. The design principles, mechanisms for BBB traversal, therapeutic payload compatibility and tumor‑targeting capabilities of NP technologies demonstrated in preclinical models have also been highlighted. In addition to drug delivery, emerging applications of nanocarriers in gene therapy were explored and the impact of protein corona formation on NP behavior in vivo was discussed. Finally, current translational bottlenecks were identified and future design considerations to achieve clinically viable, precision‑targeted nanomedicines for brain tumors were outlined.
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October-2025
Volume 67 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Si J, Liu Z, Gu F, Jin X and Ma Y: Nanoparticle‑based delivery systems for targeted therapy in brain tumors: Progress, challenges and perspectives (Review). Int J Oncol 67: 83, 2025.
APA
Si, J., Liu, Z., Gu, F., Jin, X., & Ma, Y. (2025). Nanoparticle‑based delivery systems for targeted therapy in brain tumors: Progress, challenges and perspectives (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 67, 83. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2025.5789
MLA
Si, J., Liu, Z., Gu, F., Jin, X., Ma, Y."Nanoparticle‑based delivery systems for targeted therapy in brain tumors: Progress, challenges and perspectives (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 67.4 (2025): 83.
Chicago
Si, J., Liu, Z., Gu, F., Jin, X., Ma, Y."Nanoparticle‑based delivery systems for targeted therapy in brain tumors: Progress, challenges and perspectives (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 67, no. 4 (2025): 83. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2025.5789