Glioblastoma Chemotherapy May Be Failing on Exposure, Not Potency
- The review argues many conventional cytotoxics retain real antitumor activity in glioblastoma but never reach sufficient intratumoral concentrations.
- It re-examines alkylators, microtubule agents, topoisomerase inhibitors and platinum compounds in terms of blood–brain barrier transport, uneven tumor distribution and systemic dose limits.
- Delivery strategies are presented as a way to restore these drugs without changing their pharmacology.
💡 Points Based on the abstract
This is the right question to ask before another new-mechanism trial: was the target engaged at the tumor site? The catch is that the BBB is leaky in the contrast-enhancing core and intact at the invasive margin where recurrence starts, so total tumor concentration can mislead. I'd want unbound brain concentration and regional distribution data before crediting a delivery system, and the tolerability of higher exposure still has to be shown.
📄 Paper · Biochemical Pharmacology ↗ Overcoming drug delivery barriers to Unlock the therapeutic potential of conventional chemotherapy in glioblastoma