RECENT TRENDS IN NANO- AND MICRO-PARTICULATE SYSTEMS FOR TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY TO GLIOBLASTOMA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Pratigya Rathour*, Nitish Kumar

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and fatal primary brain tumour, characterized by rapid progression, high invasiveness, and poor prognosis. The effectiveness of conventional therapeutic approaches, including surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy (temozolomide), is significantly limited by challenges such as the blood–brain barrier (BBB), tumour heterogeneity, multidrug resistance, and systemic toxicity. Recent advancements in nano- and micro-particulate drug delivery systems have emerged as promising strategies to overcome these limitations and enhance therapeutic efficacy. Nanoparticulate systems, including lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic, and carbon-based nanocarriers, offer improved drug solubility, prolonged circulation, targeted delivery, and the ability to cross or bypass the BBB via passive and active targeting mechanisms. Additionally, stimuli-responsive systems enable controlled drug release in response to tumourspecific conditions such as pH, temperature, or external magnetic fields. In parallel, microparticulate systems such as microspheres and in-situ forming implants provide localized drug delivery, bypassing the BBB and ensuring sustained drug release at the tumour site, particularly in post-surgical conditions. Furthermore, advanced administration routes such as intranasal delivery and convection-enhanced delivery (CED) have shown potential in improving drug distribution within the brain. Despite significant progress, challenges related to toxicity, immunogenicity, large-scale manufacturing, and regulatory approval remain critical barriers to clinical translation. Future perspectives emphasize the integration of personalized nanomedicine, multifunctional therapeutic platforms, and artificial intelligence-driven design to optimize treatment outcomes. This review highlights recent trends, challenges, and future directions in nano- and micro-particulate drug delivery systems for targeted GBM therapy, offering insights into their potential to transform current treatment paradigms.