MicroRNA delivery systems in glioma therapy and perspectives: A systematic review

Gliomas are the deadliest of all primary brain tumors, and they constitute a serious global health problem. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are gene expression regulators associated with glioma pathogenesis. Thus, miRNAs represent potential therapeutic agents for treating gliomas. However, miRNAs have not been established as part of the regular clinical armamentarium. This systemic review evaluates current molecular and pre-clinical studies with the aim of defining the most appealing supramolecular platform for administering therapeutic miRNA to patients with gliomas. An integrated analysis suggested that cationic lipid nanoparticles, functionalized with octa-arginine peptides, represent a potentially specific, practical, non-invasive intervention for treating gliomas. This supramolecular platform allows loading both hydrophilic (miRNA) and hydrophobic (anti-tumor drugs, like temozolomide) molecules. This systemic review is the first to describe miRNA delivery systems targeted to gliomas that integrate several types of molecules as active ingredients. Further experimental validation is warranted to confirm the practical value of miRNA delivery systems. [Display omitted] •Cationic lipid nanoparticles functionalized with R8 peptides are glioma-specific.•Cationic lipid-R8 nanoparticles can load hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules.•MiR-21, −7 and TMZ combined into cationic lipid-R8 avoid TMZ resistance mechanisms.•MiR-21 inhibitor and miR-7 mimic are hallmarks related to glioma therapy.•Focused ultrasound improve efficiency of supramolecular models for glioma therapy.