Introduction

Brain tumors refer to various types of tumors in the central nervous system (CNS), which are primarily divided into primary and secondary types (Tang et al. 2019a; Yin et al. 2022). Brain tumors have become one of the most dangerous cancers to humans due to the characteristics of their location, and the treatment burden is increasing every year (Liu et al. 2023a; Dai et al. 2022). More than 300,000 new brain tumor cases were reported worldwide in 2018, and more than 76,000 new cases were recorded in China, accounting for more than a quarter of all cases (Bray et al. 2018; Guo et al. 2022a). In adults, glioma is the most common type of primary brain tumor. The World Health Organization (WHO) divides glioma into grade I–IV astrocytoma grades based on pathological results: I, II [astrocytoma], III [anaplastic astrocytoma], and IV [glioblastoma or GM]; the higher the tumor grade is, the poorer the prognosis. GBM is the most common and fatal form of primary CNS tumor (3.23 per 100,000 person-years), with a median overall survival (OS) of approximately 14.6 months after diagnosis (Ostrom et al. 2021). Despite intensive treatment, nearly all GBM patients experience recurrence (Ringel et al. 2016), and the 5-year survival rate is approximately 5% (Schwartzbaum et al. 2006; Afshari et al. 2021).

Chemotherapy is one of the primary adjuvant treatments for intracranial tumors. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of postoperative chemotherapy for gliomas, particularly in patients with high-grade gliomas and those with childhood cancers. However, chemotherapy is ineffective due to the high invasiveness of tumor cells, tumor heterogeneity, and the presence of the BBB (Zhang et al. 2022; Wang et al. 2021; Li et al. 2023a). For many years, scientists have attempted to effectively deliver chemotherapy drugs to tumor sites while reducing the accumulation of chemotherapy drugs in normal brain and peripheral tissues (Ding et al. 2020). The potential use of nanomaterials in delivery systems offers a novel approach to treating brain tumors (Xue 2019). Nanomedicine, in contrast to traditional therapies, offers the advantages of superior biocompatibility, loading multiple drugs, targeting specific cells or tissues, controlling drug release, and even passing the BBB (Muhammad et al. 2022; Zhao et al. 2019; Guo et al. 2022b). Furthermore, by optimizing the size, shape, ligand density, lipophilicity, and surface chemical modification of nanoparticles, effective nanoparticle accumulation in the brain can be achieved, and the therapeutic effect can be improved (Liu et al. 2023b). These properties make nanomedicine an attractive treatment tool for brain tumors (Thangudu et al. 2020; Zottel et al. 2019; Zhao et al. 2020; Hsu et al. 2021). Additionally, by tweaking the surface chemistry of nanoparticles to engage specific cell types and perform specific tasks, patient-specific protocols can be tailored, thus choosing different nanocarriers for therapeutic molecules that interact with specific cells.

Our review focuses on the development of BBB-crossing nanomedicine enhanced chemotherapy and combined therapy applications for glioma. Additionally, we discuss recent achievements in the area of brain tumor treatment with nanomedicine and the rational design approach, which will offer recommendations for anti-GBM nanomedicine development (Scheme 1).

Scheme 1
scheme 1

Schematic of nanomedicine enhanced chemotherapy of gliomas. PTDDS passive targeting drug delivery system, ATDDS active targeting drug delivery system, ERTDDS environmental responsive targeting drug delivery system

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Current treatment status of glioma

In the past 30 years, much research has been conducted on the treatment of glioma, from radiological and surgical techniques to molecular therapy, although surgical excision is still the preferred treatment for brain tumor patients (Fig. 1) (Ma et al. 2021). However, in most brain tumors, particularly GBM, which grows deeper and causes a vicious infiltration of brain tissue, it is almost impossible to completely resect and easily relapse after treatment (Fig. 2a, b) (Lara-Velazquez et al. 2020; Bucci et al. 2004). After gross total resection (GTR) of the tumor in general, adjuvant radiotherapy [2 Gray (Gy)/day, 5 days/week, 6 weeks plus concurrent daily temozolomide (TMZ, 75 mg/m2)], and six cycles of adjuvant TMZ (150–200 mg/m2, for the first 5 days/28 days per cycle) were administered (Stupp et al. 2005). Unfortunately, conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy are also ineffective because of the unique microenvironment of GBM. For example, radiation therapy uses X-rays to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA. Although high-energy electron beams can reach deep into the brain to destroy invasive cancer cells, the hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) and inherent radiation resistance impair efficacy (Xie et al. 2019; Cheng et al. 2019). Furthermore, radiation therapy can cause major side effects, such as leukocytic encephalopathy, nerve damage, hair loss, vomiting, infertility, and skin rashes, harming the patient’s physical and mental wellbeing. The use of chemotherapy drugs causes the death of brain tumor cells, and TMZ has shown significant potential in treating glioblastomas and other difficult-to-treat cancers; thus, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that oral TMZ be employed as the standard chemotherapy regimen for GBM and anaplastic astrocytomas (Younis et al. 2019; Sidaway 2017; S.A. Grossman et al. 2010). However, therapeutic drugs cannot be effectively delivered to tumors (98% of small molecules and 100% of biological macromolecules) due to the high complexity of the human brain, high aggressiveness of tumor cells, tumor heterogeneity, and the existence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) (Fig. 2c) (Pardridge 2015). Insufficient drug accumulation and even acquired tumor resistance are caused by these limitations, resulting in a considerable reduction in the effectiveness of treatment.

Fig. 1
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Adapted from ref. (Ma et al. 2021) with permission from BMJ copyright 2021

Recent advances in the management of glioma.

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Fig. 2
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Schematic of the obstacles to effective treatment of GBM. a The special anatomical position of GBM; b GBM's inherent heterogeneity and infiltration lead to recurrence, which makes surgical resection difficult; c the high selectivity of the BBB

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Current chemotherapeutic drugs for glioma

Generally, chemotherapy is employed as an adjuvant treatment for glioma after GTR of the tumor. Ideally, chemotherapy should have a specific distribution of drug concentrations at the tumor site, prolonged duration of action, the most effective killing of cancer cells, and minimized side effects on normal tissues. However, numerous factors affect chemotherapy, such as the existence of a blood–brain barrier, tumor heterogeneity, and drug resistance.

FDA-approved anti-glioma agents in chemotherapy

Nitrosoureas [lomustine, semustine, fotemustine, carmustine, and nimostine] can penetrate the blood–brain barrier and be initially employed in chemotherapy for gliomas (Vredenburgh et al. 2007). Occasionally, combination regimens of PCV [procarbazine + lomustine (CCNU) + vincristine] or cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs such as teniposide, etoposide, ifosfamide, cisplatin, or carboplatin have been employed; however, these chemotherapy regimens have limited efficacy and relatively high toxicity (Parasramka et al. 2017).

The clinical application of TMZ is a major advancement in glioma chemotherapy (Strobel et al. 2019). TMZ is a novel alkylating agent with strong permeability to the CNS and is approximately 100% bioavailable upon oral administration, with few side effects (Table 1) (Stupp et al. 2005). TMZ has fewer side effects and excellent tolerance and is easier to administer than traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs. RT concomitant with TMZ for GBM treatment was first described in 2005. In that study, the median survival rate of GBM patients who received TMZ adjuvant chemotherapy was 26.5%, which was higher than that of GBM patients who received RT alone (10.4%) (Stupp et al. 2005).

Table 1 The main effect and side effects of anti-glioma agents
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TMZ is available in oral and injectable forms and works by inducing genomic DNA alkylation at the N7 and O6 positions of guanine and the N3 position of adenine, resulting in nucleotide mismatch and death of tumor cells (Strobel et al. 2019). However, TMZ sensitivity is significantly affected by the level of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, which can remove TMZ-induced alkylation from nucleotides and has been employed as a predictor of responsiveness to alkylating drugs (Tomar et al. 2021; Qiu et al. 2014). Furthermore, the mechanisms of TMZ resistance in glioma also involve DNA damage repair (DNA mismatch repair, base resection repair), abnormal cell signaling pathways (p53-mediated signaling pathway, reactive oxygen species-mediated signaling pathway, RTK-related signaling pathway, transforming growth factor β-mediated signaling pathway, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway), glioma stem cells, TME (hypoxic microenvironment, exosome), epidermal growth factor receptor, etc. (Messaoudi et al. 2015; Beckta et al. 2019; Wade et al. 2013; Wee and Wang 2017; Jiang et al. 2019; Jia et al. 2018).

The first antiangiogenic therapy approved by the FDA for use in patients with cancer is BV. This recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody prevents angiogenesis by inhibiting VEGF-A, which can hinder the growth of new blood vessels in tumor tissues (Kreisl et al. 2009; Chinot et al. 2014; Gilbert et al. 2014). However, Ameratunga concluded that BV therapy does not significantly enhance the OS of patients with primary glioblastoma (Ameratunga et al. 2018). Thus, it is primarily recommended for recurrent glioblastomas, particularly when it is difficult to determine whether postoperative neuroimaging changes and radiochemical therapies are direct radiation responses or tumor recurrence.

Potential natural anti-glioma agents

Several FDA-approved drugs and their mechanisms of action have been identified, but researchers are currently focusing on some natural drugs with potential anti-glioma properties. For example, in 1998, Sanchez et al. published an article on anti-glioma. Additionally, Guzman et al. reported the antitumor potential of cannabinoids in animal models in 2003 (Guzman 2003). Thus, the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids has attracted the attention of numerous researchers in the field. Neurostatin, an O-acetylated derivative of ganglioside GD1b, has powerful antitumor properties both in vitro and in vivo and shows natural antitumor properties against astrocytoma division and astroblasts (Pais et al. 2013). Beatriz Valle-Argos and coworkers discovered that the compound antitumoral (neurostatin) inhibits the proliferation of U373MG and C6 glioma cells by activating cell cycle inhibitors, including p27 and p21 (Valle-Argos et al. 2010). Perillyl alcohol is a monoterpene that can be found in the essential oil of plants such as citrus fruits and lavender, and the results of a phase I/II study showed that it may be effective against gliomas. Perillyl alcohol is known to stop cancer by stopping Ras protein from working, but it also works on NF-κB, TGF, and different cell cycle proteins (Chen et al. 2018). Kuo Yong and coworkers characterized the anti-glioma activities of 12 compounds isolated from the marine-associated fungus Penicillium sp. ZZ1750. Among them, penipyridinone B, questiomycin A, and xanthocillin X showed potent anti-glioma activity (Yong et al. 2022).

Obstacles of chemotherapeutic agents for glioma treatment

Numerous physiological barriers prevent most chemotherapies from having a practical therapeutic effect on GBM, including the BBB, blood–brain–tumor barrier, GBM cancer stem cell resistance, and highly heterogeneous GBM (Tellingen et al. 2015; Tam et al. 2020). As previously stated, a significant obstacle to drug delivery to the tumor is the BBB; essentially, the BBB is a dynamic interface between the blood and the brain tissue that selectively inhibits the passage of most substances, thus protecting the CNS from potentially neurotoxic substances (Fig. 3a) (Zou et al. 2021). This not only helps keep the CNS in a steady physiologic state but also prevents therapeutic drugs from entering the brain tissue. In patients with GBM, the BBB is damaged by infiltrating tumor cells. However, BBB disruption does not constitute a complete loss of its biological mechanism, and the mix of heterogeneous destruction with intact areas is sufficient to prevent drug access to tumor cells (Ganipineni et al. 2018). This phenomenon is called the "blood–brain–tumor barrier," and it can block chemotherapy agents from reaching tumor lesions and offer a barrier to the treatment of CNS tumors (Fig. 3b) (Ganipineni et al. 2018; Saraiva et al. 2016).

Fig. 3
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Adapted from ref. (Saraiva et al. 2016) with permission from Elsevier B.V. copyright 2016

The BBB features of normal and GBM. a Normal BBB constitutes tight junctions, endothelial cells, pericytes, etc. b GBM disrupted the BBB (Saraiva et al. 2016).

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Strategies to overcome the blood–brain barrier

Since the development of molecular biology, people have gained a better understanding of the BBB. Studies have shown that certain biological, chemical, and physical stimuli can alter BBB permeability (Chen and Liu 2012).

Biological stimulation

Biological stimulation mainly involves inflammatory modulators and vasoactive mediators, such as bradykinin, histamine, and vascular endothelial growth factor, which can act on relevant receptors and enhance BBB permeability (Thangudu et al. 2020; Zhao et al. 2020; Liao et al. 2019). Vazana et al. discovered that excessive glutamate release enhances vascular permeability in the cerebral cortex of mice by activating NMDA receptors using in vivo microscopy. High-intensity magnetic stimulation may improve BBB permeability and facilitate drug delivery during neuron activation. Furthermore, in a three-dimensional external blood–tumor barrier (BTB) model, Wang et al. demonstrated that histamine could enhance BTB permeability by decreasing the expression levels of proteins related to tight junctions, such as ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-5, and the levels of H2 receptors are directly correlated with BTB permeability. However, the molecular mechanisms of viruses are biomaterials that can stimulate the blood–brain barrier to open. By upregulating the expression of chemokines, it disrupts the structure of the blood–brain barrier and degrades the protein at the brain–blood junction, allowing substances to penetrate the CNS (Kuang et al. 2009).

Chemical stimulation

Some chemical stimuli can also modulate tight junctions to improve BBB permeability, resulting in favorable conditions for drug delivery to the brain. High concentrations of arabinose and mannitol solutions can increase BBB permeability by constricting endothelial cells, allowing molecules to pass through the BBB to reach the brain (Doolittle et al. 2000). Some pharmaceutical excipients can reversibly open the BBB. For instance, in a rat model, oleic acid, a protein kinase C activator, demonstrated reversible BBB opening to Evans blue albumin and γ-aminoisobutyric acid when administered by arterial infusion (Sztriha and Betz 1991). Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is a commonly used medicinal excipient that has been demonstrated to elicit reversible and dose-dependent changes in BBB permeability in a rat model (Saija et al. 1997).

Physical stimulation

In comparison to the abovementioned two approaches, it is safer to use physical stimulation approaches, such as focused ultrasound (FUS), microwaves, lasers, and magnetic fields. Mechanical or thermal stimulation increases the space between the capillary endothelial cells of the brain (Chen et al. 2017). Destruction of the BBB can increase the accumulation of therapeutic drugs in the brain; however, a damaged BBB can also allow toxins to penetrate the brain and cause neurological dysfunction. Thus, the ideal destruction approach for the BBB should be controllable, temporary, reversible, specific, and selective. By combining ultrasound with microbubbles (MBs), ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction can open the BBB noninvasively and reversibly (Hynynen et al. 2001). Upon exposure to sonication, MBs begin to oscillate at a frequency similar to US. During stable cavitation, mechanical stress will be generated, resulting in additional disruption of the tight junctions and increased permeability of the BBB (Lee et al. 2017). It should be noted, however, that inertial cavitation might lead to MB collapse with microjetting, fragmentation and shock-wave generation, which may cause harm to the vascular endothelial cells (Novell et al. 2020). Thus, it is generally considered that stable cavitation (applying a few hundred kPa) is the best way to open the BBB (Meng et al. 2019). In addition, FUS-induced medication delivery is now being investigated in GBM (Alli et al. 2018), Parkinson's disease (PD) (Karakatsani et al. 2019), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) (Weber-Adrian et al. 2019).

Nanocarrier-based chemotherapy therapy for glioma

Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that many factors can affect the efficacy of combination therapy, resulting in disappointing clinical outcomes in brain tumor patients. The BBB appears to be the primary source of dissonance in GBM, and traditional chemotherapeutics are limited by their poor targeting of the tumor, short circulation times in vivo, inability to penetrate the tissue, and low therapeutic index. As nanotechnology progresses, researchers are developing various types of nanomedicine for delivering anti-brain tumor drugs, including polymer nanoparticles, micelles, liposomes, and inorganic nanoparticles based on the characteristics of brain tumor tissue and TME (Afshari et al. 2022). This approach offers high drug stability, sustained release potential, and low drug toxicity and is also known as the nanoparticle drug delivery system (NDDS).

Based on their different modes of action, NDDSs can be divided into active targeting NDDSs, passive targeting NDDSs, and environmentally responsive NDDSs (Fig. 4). Nanocarriers containing chemotherapeutic drugs can be transported primarily by carrier-mediated transport and receptor-mediated transport, as well as by adsorption-mediated transport and cell-mediated transport to cross the BBB and deliver therapeutic drugs directly to the site of the lesion to achieve effective treatment. Furthermore, exosome therapy has received extensive attention as a method for delivering drugs to the CNS. As an intercellular communication system, exosomes are natural nanoparticles secreted by human cells. They can promote the transfer of molecules between cells and have demonstrated good tolerance in human clinical trials. Wang (Pais et al. 2013) and coworkers constructed neutrophil exosome-based drug delivery systems in response to an inflammatory microenvironment in gliomas. It enhances the efficiency of drug delivery across the BBB and tumor targeting and provides a method for noninvasive drug delivery targeting in the CNS. TMZ is the first-line chemotherapy medication of choice for glioma patients. However, drug resistance limits the efficacy of TMZ and its clinical application. Thus, to reduce the resistance of glioma to TMZ, Hui Shi employed the copolymer angiopep-2 (A2)-modified polymeric micelle (A2PEC) as the nanocarrier, embedding TMZ in the core by intermolecular hydrophobic interactions, and a small interfering RNA (SiPLK1) was electrostatically complexed with the cationic layer (called TMZ-A2PEC/siPLK1). Their results revealed that TMZ-loaded nanocomplexes were delivered across the BBB and to glioma cells with remarkable efficiency. The TMZ-loaded nanocomplex can improve TMZ sensitivity and significantly inhibit glioma growth (Fig. 5a) (Shi et al. 2020). Among the different types of nanoparticles, liposomes have a unique history of successful clinical translation as drug and gene delivery vectors. Recently, it has become widely accepted that nanoparticles can recruit biomolecules from biological fluids, such as blood, and form a complex layer around the nanoparticles called the 'biomolecular corona (BC)'. Antonietta Arcella and colleagues synthesized a set of TMZ-encapsulating nanomedicines made of four cationic liposomes. Their research determined that the form of liposome-BC showing high levels of targeting fingerprints could enhance the ability to cross the BBB and anticancer efficacy (Fig. 5b) (Arcella et al. 2018). These results indicate that therapeutic molecules can be delivered through the blood–brain barrier by adjusting the surface chemical and biological properties of nanoparticles, and by selecting different nanocarriers for specific cell types.

Fig. 4
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Adapted from ref. (Wang et al 2014) with permission from Dove Medical Press copyright 2020

The classification and transport mechanism of a targeted drug delivery system (Wang et al 2014).

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Fig. 5
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Adapted from Ref. (Shi et al. 2020) with permission from Dove Medical Press copyright 2020; adapted from ref. (Arcella et al. 2018) with permission from the American Chemical Society copyright 2018

Nanocarrier strategy enhances chemotherapy in glioma. a The TMZ-A2PEC/siPLK1 drug formation and delivery system (Shi et al. 2020). b Design liposomes employing plasma proteins most likely to bind blood–brain barrier receptors to exploit the biomolecular corona (BC) in targeted brain drug delivery (Arcella et al. 2018).

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Combined therapy for glioma

Although researchers have investigated various approaches to improve the efficiency of chemotherapy, their defects make eliminating glioma difficult. Combination chemotherapy and other therapies can achieve significant synergistic effects in tumor treatment (chemodynamic therapy (CDT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), immunotherapy, and photodynamic therapy (PDT)), achieving a synergistic anticancer effect that reduces toxicity and visibly enhances the elimination of glioma (Table 2).

Table 2 Summary of modality of nanomedicine used for glioma chemotherapy
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Nanomedicine chemotherapy combined with gene therapy

Gene therapy has attracted considerable media attention as a new approach to treating brain tumors. It is based on introducing exogenous genes into target cells using vectors to achieve the desired therapeutic effect (Arnone et al. 2021). However, achieving effective and safe gene delivery and expression for gene therapy development remains challenging. When performing gene therapy for gliomas, it is crucial to choose the right carrier. Although viral vectors are the most effective approach for gene delivery, their use is limited due to their low safety, limited DNA loading capacity, complex assembly, and high cost. Nonviral vectors are relatively safe, but their transfection efficiency is very low (Caffery et al. 2019). Thus, the direction and focus of future research will be on how to enhance the carrier’s delivery capability and security. Nanomaterials offer numerous advantages, including low immunogenicity, high volume, high transfection efficiency, ease of production, and low cost, making them excellent candidates for gene delivery vectors. Wang et al. employed polyethyleneimine (PEI) and biodegradable poly[(poly(2-diisopropylamino/2-mercaptoethylamine) ethyl aspartate], (PAsp (DIP/MEA)) to construct a diblock copolymer [PEI-PAsp(DIP/MEA)]. Then, nanovesicles were assembled for the delivery of the cytosine deaminase (CD) gene and 5-fluorocytosine (pCMVCD/5-FC) into glioma cells (Fig. 6a) (Wang et al. 2014). This nanovesicle is a multifunctional nanovesicle carrier that is pH and reduction sensitive, and the nanovesicles can be highly effective in cotransferring genes and drugs when the particle size and surface charge are controlled appropriately. By effective transfection and expression of the CD gene, cytosine deaminase transforms the nontoxic prodrug 5-FC into its toxic active metabolite 5-fluorouracil, which can destroy RNA and DNA synthesis, thus inhibiting tumor cell growth. Zhang and coworkers successfully developed gene therapy-based iron oxide nanoparticles (FA/Pt-siGPX4@IONPs) with folate (FA) encapsulated on their surface, and the drugs were found to show selective glioblastoma cell targeting effects both in vitro and in vivo. A substantial increase in iron levels (Fe2+ and Fe3+) is observed after IONPs are injected intracellularly, causing Fenton reactions between Fe2+, Fe3+, and intracellular H2O2, creating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that trigger ferroptosis. Pt is responsible for damaging DNA, resulting in apoptosis, while the coreleased si-GPX4 inhibited GPX4 expression and improved the efficiency of ferroptosis (Fig. 6b) (Zhang et al. 2020a). The effectiveness of this approach opens the way for designing more effective and personalized GBM combination therapy.

Fig. 6
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Adapted from Ref. (Wang et al. 2014) with permission from The Royal Society of Chemistry copyright 2014; adapted from ref. (Zhang et al. 2020a) with permission from the American Chemical Society copyright 2020

Chemotherapy combined with gene therapy. a Preparation of drug-loaded PEI-PAsp (DIP/MEA) nanovesicle and intracellular release of 5-FC and pCMVCD (Wang et al. 2014). b Design and synthesis of FA/Pt-siGPX4@IONPs and the mechanism of orthotopic glioblastoma combination therapy (Zhang et al. 2020a).

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Nanomedicine chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, a type of treatment that involves stimulating the host's immune system to kill cancer cells while inhibiting their escape from the immune system, has shown significant success in treating various solid cancers. Clinical applications of immunotherapy offer significant benefits to cancer patients. Thus, immunotherapy has been extensively investigated for treating glioblastoma. However, preclinical investigations using immune checkpoint inhibitors (Zeng et al. 2013), dendritic cell vaccines (Mitchell et al. 2015), and chimeric antigen receptor T cells have shown significant immune responses in animal models (Weiss et al. 2018). Several phase III clinical trials failed to achieve corresponding OS benefits.(Reardon et al. 2020; Wu et al. 2021) These results may be related to the intrinsic characteristics of GBM cells (loss of neoantigens targeting therapeutic T cells) (Jackson et al. 2014) and extrinsic mechanisms (systemic immunological suppression) compromising the effects of immunotherapy (Wu et al. 2021). Additionally, current methods for delivering neoantigens, such as injecting neoantigen peptides with adjuvants (such as oil emulsions), result in precipitation, accumulation, and inflammation at the injection site, reducing lymphatic drainage; due to reduced immune tolerance (Janjua et al. 2021). Thus, new approaches to improve antigen-presenting cell delivery to lymphoid tissues are required to achieve effective antitumor immunity. Scheetz et al. developed synthetic high-density lipoprotein (SHDL)-based protein immunotherapy vectors that loaded cytosine guanine (CpG) and tumor-specific neoantigens that targeted GBM and caused immune-mediated tumor regression in mice (Fig. 7a) (Scheetz et al. 2020). Their findings demonstrated that the combination of neoantigen peptide sHDL/CpG and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody induced a specific T cell response, resulting in the regression of in situ GL261 gliomas in 33% of mice and achieving long-term survival and immune memory. Ruan and coworkers proposed a combination therapy employing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that included chemotherapy, autophagy inhibition, and PD-L1 immunosuppressive agents (Fig. 7b) (Ruan et al. 2019). Specifically, doxorubicin (DOX) and the autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were coloaded onto pod protease-responsive aggregable gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-D&H-A-A&C). However, D&H-A-A&C can improve DOX and HCQ accumulation at the glioma tumor site after administration and can inhibit DOX-induced autophagy through HCQ and destroy the protective autophagy flow of cells, reducing glioma cells resistance to DOX. However, intraperitoneal injection of PD-L1 monoclonal antibody can block the immunosuppressive pathway, enhance the immunogenicity of anti-GBM, and limit the secretion of immunosuppressive factors and the differentiation of immunosuppressive cell. According to the study’s in vivo results, the treatment regimen dramatically increased the therapeutic efficacy of GBM in mice, enhanced immunity and memory, and reduced the likelihood of GBM recurrence. In summary, the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy uses the development of nanotechnology incorporating chemotherapy drugs with or without anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade. Compared to traditional immunotherapies, it realizes the precise release of antibodies while reducing the dosage of chemotherapy drugs, facilitating the improvement of the immune system and alleviating systemic side effects.

Fig. 7
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Adapted from ref. (Scheetz et al. 2020) with permission from the American Association for Cancer Research copyright 2020; adapted from ref. (Ruan et al. 2019) with permission from the American Chemical Society copyright 2019

Chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy. a The formulation process for neoantigen-loaded sHDL nanodiscs (Scheetz et al. 2020). b Chemotherapy with D&H-A-A&C-enabled autophagic inhibition combined with PD-L1 blockade (Ruan et al. 2019).

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Nanomedicine chemotherapy combined with sonodynamic therapy

Generally, it is accepted that ultrasound (US) is a mechanical vibration wave of objects capable of penetrating bulky tissues, and it is used in various clinical applications (Ning et al. 2022; Guo et al. 2023). Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a new cancer treatment approach that employs US to focus sound energy on deep tissue and then activates acoustic sensitizers to transform oxygen-containing media into various ROS [primarily singlet oxygen (1O2)], cavitation bubble effects, and thermal effects to eradicate malignant tumor cells and has been rapidly developed as an alternative treatment for tumors (Qian et al. 2017; Chen et al. 2021; Ji et al. 2021). SDT has unique advantages in the treatment of glioma because of the strong penetration depth of ultrasound.(Wang et al. 2020a, 2020b) For GBM, the BBB’s existence limits suitable chemotherapy agents, and US can open the BBB noninvasively and reversibly increase the uptake of chemotherapeutic agents by cancer cells (Hynynen et al. 2001). DOX is one of the numerous anthracycline antitumor drugs available; however, it is difficult for Dox to pass through the BBB, so it is usually treated by intratumoral injection, resulting in poor drug compliance and a high risk for patients. In Wang et al.'s research, a US-activatable porphyrin-phospholipid liposome (pp-lipo) incorporating DOX was effectively synthesized (Fig. 8a) (Wang et al. 2018). Their research demonstrated that the assistance of low-intensity focused ultrasound enhances the uptake of the nanomedicine DOX-pp-lipo by tumor cells while also enhancing the nuclear uptake and concentration of DOX in nuclear sites and the cytosol. Wu et al. effectively synthesized IR780/PTL nanoparticles (NPs) by self-assembly, conjugating the ROS-responsive thioketal linkers to the paclitaxel (PTX) prodrug (PTX-TL, denoted as PTL) and the sonosensitizer IR780 was loaded into the hydrophobic core, which can be cleaved by ROS and induce paclitaxel release during the SDT process (Fig. 8b) (Wang et al. 2014). ROS can be generated by the IR780/PTL-NPs during US irradiation (1 MHz, 0.2–0.4 W/cm−2, 3 min), thus triggering apoptosis of U87 cells and enhancing the release of PTX directly via ROS-sensitive TL degradation. Additionally, US irradiation was employed to achieve a controlled release of PTX at the tumor sites (1 MHz, 0.4 W/cm−2, 3 min). Furthermore, tumor growth was considerably diminished without any visible side toxicity. Overall, the combination of chemotherapy with SDT has the potential to be a pivotal approach for the successful ablation of GBMs because of the combined effects of chemosensitivity improvement and SDT-induced apoptosis.

Fig. 8
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Adapted from ref. (Wang et al. 2018) with permission from Elsevier B.V. copyright 2018; adapted from ref. (Mu et al. 2021) with permission from WILEY–VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim copyright 2019

Chemotherapy combined with sonodynamic therapy. a The formulation process and characteristics of pp-lipo (Wang et al. 2018). b Illustration of IR780/PTL-NPs with SDT-activated cascade chemotherapy to synergistically clear cancer cells (Mu et al. 2021).

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Nanomedicine chemotherapy combined with chemodynamic therapy

CDT is an emerging cancer treatment approach that treats cancer using CDT agents (e.g., Fe2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, and Ti3+ ions) to produce hydroxyl radicals (·OH) from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a manner similar to Fenton or Fenton-like reactions, with excellent therapeutic effects and high biosafety (Tang et al. 2019b). CDT causes oxidative stress in tumor cells that destroys proteins, lipids, and other biomolecular substances, eventually killing them (Zhang et al. 2016a). However, transforming CDT into clinical therapy remains a challenge. First, the high PH of tumor lesions hinders Fenton/Fenton-like reactions; second, the highly expressed reducing substances in the TME reduce CDT efficacy (such as glutathione and GSH). Due to its inherent limitations, CDT alone cannot be employed to eliminate malignant tumors. Thus, CDT combined with other therapeutic approaches has been extensively developed.

For example, Tan et al.(Tan et al. 2020) developed a double-targeted nanodrug (iRPPA@TMZ/MnO) by encapsulating TMZ with the cationic liposome surface modification internalizing arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (iRGD), which can help nanoparticles cross the BBB in addition to targeting tumor cells. iRPPA@TMZ/MnO can accumulate in gliomas and release TMZ and O2 under TME stimulation, thus inhibiting the growth of glioma in situ, reducing tumor hypoxia, lowering the drug resistance of glioma, and effectively enhancing the therapeutic effect (Fig. 9a). To combine chemotherapy with CDT to treat glioma, Mu et al. methodically prepared a tumor-specific metal tea polyphenol-based cascade nanoreactor (DOX@MTP/HA-EGCG) for chemodynamic therapy-enhanced chemotherapy (Mu et al. 2021). Based on an in vitro BBB model, investigators discovered that DOX@MTP/HA-EGCG penetrated the BBB and delivered the drug to the tumor. A nanoreactor infiltrates intracellularly via the CD44 receptor and leaves the lysosome to offer sustained release of DOX, Fe3+, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), resulting in chemotherapeutic effects and CDT. The results of in vivo experiments demonstrated that DOX@MTP/HA-EGCG accumulates selectively in CD44-overexpressing GL261 tumor sites and that the continuous release of DOX and Fe3+ leads to various treatment outcomes (Fig. 9b). The combination of CDT therapy can transform the TME’s acidic condition into the primary treatment factor and improve the therapeutic effect on tumors. Additionally, these results showed a viable approach and application prospect of these nanodrugs for enhancing the efficacy of glioma chemotherapy.

Fig. 9
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Adapted from ref. (Tan et al. 2020) with permission from Wiley–VCH GmbH copyright 2020; adapted from ref. (Mu et al. 2021) with permission from Elsevier B.V. copyright 2021

Chemotherapy combined with chemodynamic therapy. a Illustrations of iRPPA@TMZ/MnO for MRI-guided synergistic chemotherapy/CDT for glioma (Tan et al. 2020). b The nanoreactor penetrates the BBB and targets glioblastoma therapy using CDT and chemotherapy (Mu et al. 2021).

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Nanomedicine chemotherapy combined with photodynamic therapy

There has been considerable study of PDT as an adjuvant treatment for GBM for more than 35 years, with many clinical trials conducted during this period (Eljamel et al. 2008; Muller and Wilson 2006). Phototherapy is an effective tool in fighting tumors due to its focus, noninvasive nature, and few side effects (Sun et al. 2016; Mao et al. 2016; Wen et al. 2016; Jiang et al. 2017, 2018a, 2018b; Zhang et al. 2016b, 2018; Ge et al. 2014; Idris et al. 2012; Huang et al. 2019). PDT eliminates tumors by producing singlet oxygen through a reaction between photosensitizers that accumulate in tumor cells and specific light wavelengths.(Chu et al. 2022) A long-wavelength NIR-II laser (1000–1700 nm) has deep penetration and high skin exposure and is suitable for intracranial tumors. However, traditional PDT relies on O2 and laser irradiation; hypoxia is a well-known feature of the TME that limits the generation of fatal ROS during PDT treatment (Liu et al. 2020). In a recent study, Zhu et al. combined NIR-II PDT and chemotherapy for GBM treatment and innovatively proposed the construction of the mesoporous nanosystem RBT@MRN-SS-Tf/Apt to improve the therapeutic potential of gliomas (Fig. 10a) (Zhu et al. 2018). The transferrin (Tf) molecule and aptamer AS1411 (Apt) are immobilized on the nanoparticles surface via redox-cleavable disulfide bonds, allowing the nanoparticles to penetrate the BBB and target the glioma effectively. Additionally, the antitumor drug [Ru(bpy)2(tip)]2+(RBT) produces ROS under 808 nm laser irradiation, inducing apoptosis of tumor cells. Furthermore, Tang and colleagues reported a pH-responsive magnetic mesoporous silica-based nanoplatform for synergistic photodynamic/chemotherapy (Fig. 10b) (Tang et al. 2018). Covering the silicon surface with polydopamine molecules prevented the leakage of DOX under physiological circulation conditions (pH 7.4), and the structure revealed continuous release behavior under low pH conditions (consistent with the acidic microenvironment of the tumor). Additionally, this nanoplatform could be guided to the tumor region under magnetic field navigation, resulting in a higher level of accumulation at the tumor.

Fig. 10
figure 10

Adapted from ref. (Zhu et al. 2018) with permission from Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc. copyright 2018; adapted from ref. (Tang et al. 2018) with permission from American Chemical Society copyright 2018

Chemotherapy combined with photodynamic therapy. a Design and application of the dual-targeting RBT@MRN-SS-Tf/Apt (Zhu et al. 2018). b The synthesis process and application of Fe3O4@mSiO2(DOX)@HSA(Ce6) nanoplatforms in glioma (Tang et al. 2018).

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Thus, chemo-PDT has a synergistic effect, which helps the release of drugs into tumor tissues, improves the therapeutic effect, and generates new approaches for treating gliomas.

Nanomedicine chemotherapy combined with photothermal therapy

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a hyperthermia approach that uses photothermal agents to generate sufficient heat under NIR light illumination to ablate solid tumors, and it has attracted considerable attention from researchers.(Li et al. 2023b; Ma et al. 2022; Chen et al. 2022) PTT offers a direct and accurate approach to conducting noninvasive local treatment using the tunable and well-focused properties of incident light (Liu et al. 2019; Zeng et al. 2018). Despite some encouraging results, there are still numerous challenges to overcome when applying PTT to the clinic. For example, NIR light has a limited penetration depth, resulting in incomplete ablation of tumors outside its irradiation range.(Ruan et al. 2021; Chen et al. 2020) Furthermore, high-power lasers can cause unavoidable damage to normal tissues near the tumor, whereas low-power lasers may not prevent tumor recurrence.(Wang et al. 2020c) When PTT is combined with chemotherapy, hyperthermia from PTT can enhance the release of chemotherapy drugs and improve the sensitivity to chemotherapy (Zhang et al. 2020b).

Wang et al. developed a multifunctional bionic nanoplatform to deliver targeted photothermal–chemotherapy treatment for gliomas using a photothermal–chemotherapy device to overcome the inefficiency of traditional chemotherapy treatments caused by drug tolerance, nontargeting, and the blood–brain barrier (Ren et al. 2022). The photosensitizer graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and DOX encapsulated in a homotypic cancer cell membrane (CCM) make up the nanoplatform (GQDs/DOX@CCM). The outer membrane of GQDs/DOX@CCM can be destroyed in response to external laser stimulation, resulting in the fast release of DOX and GQDs in glioma cells for chemo-photothermal therapy. In addition to their ability to convert near-infrared light into heat, GQDs also improved chemotherapy by releasing DOX, and synergistic tumor elimination effect was achieved with good biosafety (Fig. 11a). Lu et al. developed a multicomponent self-assembled nanocomposite with an extremely high drug loading capacity to achieve synergistic chemotherapy–photothermal treatment of intracranial glioblastoma (Fig. 11b) (Lu et al. 2021). By electrostatic interaction, positively charged Angiopep-2-modified PEGylated poly-L-lysine (Ang-PEG-g-PLL) was coated on negatively charged two-component nanoparticles, which enhanced BBB penetration and tumor targeting. Furthermore, the nanocomposite shows good biocompatibility and high accumulation ability. Related experimental results revealed that glioma growth is significantly suppressed both in vitro and in vivo after treatment with the nanocomposite.

Fig. 11
figure 11

Adapted from ref. (Ren et al. 2022) with permission from PMC copyright 2022; adapted from ref. (Lu et al. 2021) with permission from Elsevier Ltd. copyright 2021

Chemotherapy combined with photothermal therapy. a Design and application of the GQDs/DOX@C for tumor-targeted chemo-photothermal combination therapy of glioma (Ren et al. 2022). b Illustration of self-assembled nanomaterials for orthotopic glioblastoma chemotherapy and photothermal therapy (Lu et al. 2021).

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Overall, the results obtained above demonstrate that combining chemotherapy with PTT may offer novel treatment approaches for chemoresistant tumors and that the development of photothermal therapy combined with chemotherapy will be a potential treatment for glioma.

Nanomedicine chemotherapy combined with magnetic hyperthermia therapy

The oxygen supply in tumor tissue is insufficient due to the poor development of vessels and nerves, resulting in poor heat dissipation function, and it is more sensitive to temperatures of 41℃–45℃, whereas normal cells can tolerate higher temperatures. Magnetic hyperthermia is an emerging approach employed for treating deep tumors by implanting magnetic nanomaterials into tumor tissue and increasing the local temperature of tumor tissue (above 42℃) using an external alternating magnetic field, which has been studied since the 1950s (Gilchrist et al. 1957; Gordon et al. 1979). Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are single-domain magnetic nanostructures with good magnetic susceptibility and are usually employed as magnetic response nanocarriers that can be guided and targeted by an external magnetic field. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are magnetic nanostructures with outstanding biocompatibility. Based on these nanostructures, Attilio et al. developed a multifunctional nanocarrier for drug delivery and hyperthermia therapy to eliminate GBM cells (Marino et al. 2019). Guided by the external magnetic field, the multifunctional nanoplatform is targeted and accumulates at the tumor site. With chronic alternating magnetic field stimulation, the increase in temperature can slow the release of TMZ, resulting in controlled release and effective tumor cell elimination (Fig. 12a). Additionally, Afzalipour and coworkers developed a new approach based on MH and chemotherapy synergistic treatment of glioma. A modified multiple-emulsion approach was employed to synthesize folic acid-loaded TMZ-coated magnetic polymer nanoparticles (TMZ/MNPs-FA) (Afzalipour et al. 2021). In vivo investigations with C6 tumor-bearing rats revealed that combining AFM hyperthermia with thermosensitive TMZ/MNPs-FA significantly influenced tumor suppression during the treatment process, thus prolonging the survival time of tumor-bearing mice after treatment (Fig. 12b). Thus, magnetic particles are heated up due to magnetic loss, causing a hyperthermia effect that can be used to heat tumors evenly and achieve tissue-targeted hyperthermia without being affected by the tumor’s size and location, which has a promising application when combined with chemotherapy.

Fig. 12
figure 12

Adapted from Ref. (Marino et al. 2019) with permission from The Royal Society of Chemistry copyright 2019; adapted from ref. (Afzalipour et al. 2021) with permission from Elsevier Inc. copyright 2020

Chemotherapy combined with magnetic hyperthermia therapy. a The structure and characterization of lipid magnetic nanovectors (LMNVs) (Marino et al. 2019). b Characterization of TMZ/MNPs-FA nanoparticles (Afzalipour et al. 2021).

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Nanomedicine chemotherapy combined with starvation therapy

Warburg's effect suggests that tumor cells require glucose for growth, so tumor starvation therapy blocks the flow of oxygen and nutrients through tumor blood vessels, inhibiting tumor growth (Yang et al. 2019; Huo et al. 2017; Wang et al. 2020d). Regulating glucose levels, specifically, is increasingly considered a powerful means of starving cancer cells (Zhang et al. 2017; Liu et al. 2016). Thus far, numerous approaches have been proposed to destroy tumor cells by depriving them of glucose according to this special feature (Koppenol et al. 2011). However, since starvation therapy alone cannot eliminate tumor cells, it must be combined with other interventions, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, to enhance its effectiveness. Among them, the starvation-chemotherapy approach has been extensively investigated because of its exceptional efficacy. Gu et al. developed fibronectin extra domain B (EDB)-targeted peptide APTEDB-modified PEG-PLA nanoparticles (APT-NPs) for PTX-loaded nanoparticles (APT-NP-PTX), which have tumor angiogenesis and tumor cell dual-targeting functions and achieve starvation-chemotherapy for glioma (Gu et al. 2014). According to the findings, APT-NP-PTX could effectively inhibit tumor angiogenesis and enhance the apoptosis-inducing activity of PTX (Fig. 13a). Similarly, in Ke's research, a multifunctional bioreactor for starvation-chemotherapy was constructed by embedding glucose oxidase (GOx) and DOX in metal–organic framework nanoparticles modified by targeting ligands (RGD) (referred to as RGD-mGZD) (Ke et al. 2022). With the uptake of RGD-mGZD by tumor cells, GOx performs fast glycolysis, consuming glucose and producing a hyperacidic microenvironment. The bioreactor’s decomposition could be accelerated under acidic conditions to improve the release of chemotherapy drugs (Fig. 13b). The growth of subcutaneous glioma is considerably suppressed in vivo after treatment with RGD-mGZD. Overall, this synergistic therapeutic approach shows potential for treating various cancers and provides a novel avenue for developing multimodal cancer treatment in a clinical setting.

Fig. 13
figure 13

Adapted from ref. (Gu et al. 2014) with permission from Elsevier Ltd. copyright 2014; adapted from ref. (Ke et al. 2022) with permission from Elsevier Inc. copyright 2021

Chemotherapy combined with starvation therapy. a Characterization of NP-PTX and APT-NP-PTX (Gu et al. 2014). b Design and application of the RGD-mGZD Bioreactor (Ke et al. 2022).

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Other multimodal treatments

Many multimodal therapy strategies have been documented to treat GBM as a result of the rapid advancement of therapeutic techniques for malignancies. Among these, the combination of three or more treatment strategies has emerged as a research hotspot and a means of enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of cancer treatments. Shuming Dong et al. developed an upconversion-mediated nanoplatform with a mesoporous ZnFe2O4 shell (noted as Y-UCSZ) for NIR light enhanced CDT and PDT. Due to the huge internal space of Y-UCSZ, it is highly beneficial for accommodating DOX for chemotherapy (Dong et al. 2019). Their results authenticated that the DOX-loaded nanocomplex has high anticancer effectiveness. Although HeLa cells are utilized in therapeutic and dialectical experiments, this also provides a concept for the treatment of glioma.

Conclusion and prospects

In the past few years, the treatment of brain tumors has improved tremendously due to the advancement of health care and treatment technology. However, the presence of the BBB and the high heterogeneity of brain tumors results in the insensitivity of brain tumors to chemotherapy drugs and poor treatment effects. The emergence of nanoparticle drug delivery systems offers a new approach to treating brain tumors. Unlike traditional therapies, polymer nanomedicine can improve chemotherapy by precisely adjusting a nanomedicine's size, shape, and surface-targeted ligand to overcome the blood–brain barrier, and nanomedicine achieves effective delivery. In the future, nanomaterials are expected to outperform existing cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, nanomaterials are still in the early stages of clinical application for brain tumors, and there is still a long way to go, since nanomaterials’ degradation behavior and excretion pathways are still unclear, and there are numerous differences among patients and difficulties in reproducing results.

In the clinical transformation process, nanodrugs still face challenges. For example, they must show good characteristics, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, be water-soluble or form colloids in water, extend cycle half-life, and keep up with FDA requirements. However, the innovative development of multifunctional brain-targeted nanomedicines with high BBB penetration and tumor selectivity remains a promising avenue. Nanomaterials’ controllable functional structures and precisely adjustable properties enable the integration of other therapeutic approaches, helping to develop new brain tumor drugs combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and gene therapy. Nanomedicine’s functional integration offers a viable idea for realizing multitarget synergistic therapy and enhancing the therapeutic effect on brain tumors. Additionally, for further research on nanodrugs against brain tumors, researchers must combine basic research and biosafety considerations when investigating and developing anti-brain tumor nanodrugs employing biodegradable materials that do not induce immunogenicity or biological toxicity. To ensure clinical efficacy and provide guarantees for the proper treatment of brain tumors, a unified preparation method was developed to make the obtained nanodrugs more uniform, stable, and controllable.

In conclusion, research on BBB-crossing nanomedicine for improving chemotherapy has shown that these nanomedicines have broad application prospects. However, there is still a long way to go for further clinical transformation in the future.