Emerging Approaches to Brain Cancer Treatment: A Review of Targeting Modalities

Abstract: A complicated anatomy comprising genetic, environmental, and lifestyle variables, cancer continues to be one of the top causes of death globally. Thanks to developments in molecular biology, the genetic mutations and epigenetic changes responsible for the onset and spread of cancer have been identified. Although our understanding of cancer biology has advanced significantly, therapy problems arise from the disease’s heterogeneity. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted medicines are examples of modern therapeutic approaches that have increased survival rates but frequently have serious side effects and resistance problems. The complicated pathophysiology and essential location of brain cancer provide substantial hurdles. It encompasses both primary brain tumors and metastatic lesions. Gliomas, meningiomas, and medulloblastomas are examples of primary brain tumors that originate from distinct cell types within the brain, which differ in their aggressiveness and responsiveness to treatment. The most prevalent and aggressive type, known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), grows rapidly and is resistant to standard therapies. The diagnosis of brain cancer is now more accurate thanks to developments in neuroimaging and molecular diagnostics, which also allow for more precise tumor subtype identification and individualized treatment plans. Conventional therapies consist of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgical resection; newer techniques, including immunotherapy and targeted therapies, are frequently added. In this review article, the pathophysiology of brain cancer, its diagnosis, and treatments using novel technology will be discussed. Moreover, it highlights FDAapproved drugs used in treating brain cancer, along with previous, ongoing, and future aspects in which modifications are made to enhance the efficacy of these drugs. This has been made possible due to advancements in nano-formulation techniques, which have enabled the development of novel drug delivery systems.