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Despite recent advances, therapeutic efforts have not been successful establishing a definitive strategy of treatment for brain gliomas, because of the presence of the blood-brain barrier. Innovative Brain Tumor Therapy presents a synopsis of the studies on nanoparticles as ideal devices for brain tumor treatment. Their nanometric size, electrostatic charge, and lipophilic characteristics allow them to penetrate into the brain tissue freely. Promising in-vitro results have been reported, but remain to be validated in humans. This title focuses on the blood-brain barrier pathophysiology in brain tumors, and the possibilities of overcoming this with nanoparticle-based systems. Relevant patents of nanoparticles used as drug delivery carriers are also reported, as well as future scenarios in nanoparticles and stem cells.

Despite progress in surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, an effective treatment of gliomas does not yet exist. This new monograph in the ASME-Momentum Press series on Biomedical & Nanomedical Technologies book shows how nanotechnology could be used both to improve the treatment efficacy and to reduce the adverse side effects. It will explain how nanotechnology-based approaches to targeted delivery of drugs across the brain-blood barrier may potentially be engineered to carry out specific functions as needed.

This concise monograph series focuses on the implementation of various engineering principles in the conception, design, development, analysis and operation of biomedical, biotechnological and nanotechnology systems and applications. Authors are encouraged to submit their work in the following core topics, but authors should contact the commissioning editor before submitting a proposal: Biomedical Devices & Materials Trauma Analysis Vibration and Acoustics in Biomedical Applications Innovations in Processing, Characterization and Applications of Bioengineered Materials Viscoelasticity of Biological Tissues and Ultrasound Applications Dynamics, and Control in Biomechanical Systems Clinical Applications of Bioengineering Transport Phenomena In Biomedical Applications Computational Modeling and Device Design Safety and Risk Analysis of Biomedical Engineering Modeling and Processing of Bioinspired Materials and Biomaterials Nanomedical Devices & Materials Bio Nano Materials Nano Medical Sciences Materials for Drug & Gene Delivery Nanotechnology for Central Nervous System Nanomaterials & Living Systems Interactions Biosensing, Diagnostics & Imaging Cancer Nanotechnology Micro & Nano Fluidics Environmental Health & Safety Soft Nanotechnology & Colloids Book jacket.

Despite progress in surgery, radiotherapy, and in chemotherapy, an effective curative treatment of gliomas does not yet exist. Mortality is still close to 100% and the average survival of patients with GBM is less than 1 year. The efficacy of current anti-cancer strategies in brain tumors is limited by the lack of specific therapies against malignant cells. Besides, the delivery of the drugs to brain tumors is limited by the presence of the blood brain barrier. The oncogenesis of gliomas is characterized by several biological processes and genetic alterations, involved in the neoplastic transformation. The modulation of gene expression to more levels, such as DNA, mRNA, proteins and transduction signal pathways, may be the most effective modality to down-regulate or silence some specific gene functions. Gliomas are characterized by extensive microvascular proliferation and a higher degree of vasculature. In malignant gliomas targeted therapies efficacy is low. In this complex field, it seems to be very important to improve specific selective drugs delivery systems. Drugs, antisense oligonucleotides, small interference RNAs, engineered monoclonal antibodies and other therapeutic molecules may diffuse into CNS overcoming the BBB. Nanotechnology could be used both to improve the treatment efficacy and to reduce the adverse side effects. Nanotechnology-based approaches to targeted delivery of drugs across the BBB may potentially be engineered to carry out specific functions as needed. Moreover, nanoparticles show tumor-specific targeting and long blood circulation time, with consequent low-short-term toxicity. Nanotechnology deals with structures and devices that are emerging as a new field of research at the interface of science, engineering and medicine. Nanomedicine, the application of nanotechnology to healthcare, holds great promise for revolutionizing medical treatments, imaging, faster diagnosis, drug delivery and tissue regeneration.

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