Application of magnetic carbon dots in the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas

Le Thi Hien, Phan Le Minh Tu

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Abstract

Brain cancers, including gliomas, progress rapidly with low recovery rates due to tumor invasion and recurrence. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery face limitations such as toxicity, poor drug penetration, multidrug resistance, and incomplete tumor resection. Magnetic carbon dots (M-CDs) provide a flexible theranostic platform owing to their effective penetration of the blood-brain barrier, targeted drug delivery, and real-time imaging capability. Preclinical studies have employed M-CDs as enzyme-mimicking agents inducing cytotoxicity, MRI/fluorescence probes for real-time image-guided surgery, or controlled drug carriers. Challenges remain, including long-term safety, tumor heterogeneity, standardization, and regulatory approval for clinical trial transfer. M-CDs act as promising nanotherapeutic approaches for gliomas, with an emphasis on integrated diagnostics, targeted therapy, and support for personalized medicine strategies; however, current evidence still needs further consolidation.

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References

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