Medulloblastoma: Molecular Targets and Innovative Theranostic Approaches.

in Pharmaceutics by Alice Foti, Fabio Allia, Marilena Briglia, Roberta Malaguarnera, Gianpiero Tamburrini, Francesco Cecconi, Vittoria Pagliarini, Francesca Nazio, Adriana Carol Eleonora Graziano

TLDR

  • Nanomedicine offers a promising approach to overcome the challenges of medulloblastoma treatment through targeted therapies and imaging agents.
  • Theranostic nanoplatforms have the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of medulloblastoma for personalized medicine.
  • Future research should focus on overcoming significant challenges to develop new nanoplatforms for personalized medicine.

Abstract

Medulloblastoma is a rare tumor that represents almost two-thirds of all embryonal pediatric brain tumor cases. Current treatments, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, are often associated with adverse effects, such as toxicity, resistance, and lack of specificity. According to multiple bulk and single-cell omics-based approaches, it is now clear that each molecular subgroup of medulloblastoma possesses intrinsic genetic and molecular features that could drive the definition of distinct therapeutic targets, and of markers that have the potential to improve diagnosis. Nanomedicine offers a promising approach to overcome these challenges through precision-targeted therapies and theranostic platforms that merge diagnosis and treatment. This review explores the role of nanomedicine in medulloblastoma. Here, possible theranostic nanoplatforms combining targeted drug delivery and simultaneous imaging are reviewed, highlighting their potential as tools for personalized medicine.We performed a chronological analysis of the literature by using the major web-based research platforms, focusing on molecular targets, and the potential application of nanomedicine to overcome conventional treatment limitations.Advances in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems enable selective targeting of key molecular pathways, improving therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. Additionally, nanotechnology-based imaging agents, including MRI contrast agents and fluorescent probes, improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment monitoring. Despite these advantages, some significant challenges remain, including overcoming the blood-brain barrier, ensuring biocompatibility, and addressing regulatory pathways for clinical translation.In conclusion, we sought to identify the current knowledge on the topic and hope to inspire future research to obtain new nanoplatforms for personalized medicine.

Overview

  • The study aims to explore the role of nanomedicine in medulloblastoma treatment.
  • The researchers review possible theranostic nanoplatforms for targeted therapy and simultaneous imaging.
  • The study focuses on the potential of nanomedicine to overcome conventional treatment limitations in medulloblastoma.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • Nanomedicine offers a promising approach to overcome the challenges of medulloblastoma treatment.
  • Theranostic nanoplatforms can combine targeted drug delivery and simultaneous imaging for personalized medicine.
  • Advances in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems improve therapeutic efficacy and minimize off-target effects.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study's findings highlight the potential of nanomedicine to improve diagnosis and treatment of medulloblastoma.
  • Future research should focus on overcoming significant challenges, such as the blood-brain barrier and regulatory pathways for clinical translation.
  • New nanoplatforms for personalized medicine could be developed based on the study's findings.