Engineering polysaccharide nanoplatforms for glioblastoma theranostics: Bridging targeted therapy and advanced imaging

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor characterized by limited therapeutic efficacy and challenges in accurate imaging, largely due to its invasive growth, drug resistance, and the restrictive blood-brain barrier (BBB) hindering the delivery of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Current GBM treatments and imaging approaches often suffer from insufficient agent penetration into the tumor. Additionally, they frequently exhibit toxicity or poor signal-to-noise ratios. Polysaccharide (PSC)-based polymers, with their inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatile chemical modifiability, offer a promising platform to overcome these limitations. These natural polymers can be engineered into sophisticated nanocarriers that enhance BBB traversal, enable targeted tumor accumulation of therapeutic payloads and imaging agents Furthermore, they facilitate controlled drug release and improve diagnostic signal generation. Consequently, PSC-based systems can improve therapeutic efficacy and enhance diagnostic accuracy for tumor visualization. Furthermore, they reduce systemic side effects and support multimodal strategies, ranging from single-modality interventions to integrated theranostic systems. This review aims to comprehensively discuss recent advancements, current challenges, and future perspectives of PSC-based nanomedicines in GBM therapy and imaging.