# Small Particles, Big Impact: Inorganic Nanotechnology for Glioblastoma

## TL;DR

This review explores how inorganic nanoparticles can overcome the blood-brain barrier to treat aggressive brain tumors like glioblastoma.

## Contribution

The paper presents a comprehensive overview of inorganic nanomaterials for glioblastoma targeting, emphasizing their multimodal therapeutic potential.

## Key findings

- Inorganic nanoparticles can cross the blood-brain barrier and deliver targeted therapies to glioblastoma.
- Functionalized nanoparticles improve tumor penetration and therapeutic outcomes in preclinical models.
- Optimizing nanoparticle properties is critical to reduce toxicity and enable clinical translation.

## Abstract

Background: Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive primary brain tumors, with a median survival of only 15–17 months. Treatment failure is largely driven by the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB), which restricts the delivery of most conventional therapeutics and shields invasive tumor regions from systemic drugs. Approach: This review highlights recent advances in inorganic nanoparticles designed to cross the BBB and target GBM. These platforms, including silica-, metal-, and carbon-based nanomaterials, enable multimodal applications such as tumor imaging, localized hyperthermia, and selective induction of cancer cell death. Functionalization with targeting ligands or surface modifications further enhances tumor penetration and therapeutic efficacy. Outlook: Despite promising preclinical results, clinical translation requires careful optimization of nanoparticle properties to minimize toxicity and immune clearance. Understanding these challenges provides a roadmap for the development of more effective nanomedicine strategies aimed at improving outcomes for GBM patients.