Biodegradable Wafers for Intracranial Tumor Therapy: A Convergence of Nanotechnology and Polymer Science

Brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma (GBM) and meningioma, pose significant treatment challenges due to their aggressive progression, high recurrence rates, and resistance to conventional therapies.The blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-tumor barrier (BTB) further limit the efficacy of systemic chemotherapy by restricting drug delivery to the tumor site.Despite advancements in surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, long-term survival rates for malignant brain tumors, especially GBM, remain low.Biodegradable wafer-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising solution to these challenges.Implanted directly into the tumor cavity following surgical resection, these wafers provide localized and sustained drug release, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity.Gliadel®, a carmustine (BCNU)-loaded polymer wafer, was the first FDAapproved intracranial chemotherapy implant, demonstrating improved survival outcomes in GBM patients.However, drawbacks such as rapid drug diffusion and systemic clearance have driven the development of advanced polymeric systems, including temozolomide (TMZ)-loaded wafers and