Molecular Engines, Therapeutic Targets, and Challenges in Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Special Emphasis on Hydrogen Sulfide and RNA-Based Nano-Delivery

Sherif Ashraf Fahmy, Alyaa Dawoud, Yousra Ahmed Zeinelabdeen, Caroline Joseph Kiriacos, Kerolos Ashraf Daniel, Omar Eltahtawy, Miriam Mokhtar Abdelhalim, Maria Braoudaki, Rana A. Youness, Felice Giangaspero (Editor)

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

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Abstract

Pediatric primary brain tumors represent a real challenge in the oncology arena. Besides the psychosocial burden, brain tumors are considered one of the most difficult-to-treat malignancies due to their sophisticated cellular and molecular pathophysiology. Notwithstanding the advances in research and the substantial efforts to develop a suitable therapy, a full understanding of the molecular pathways involved in primary brain tumors is still demanded. On the other hand, the physiological nature of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) limits the efficiency of many available treatments, including molecular therapeutic approaches. Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2S), as a member of the gasotransmitters family, and its synthesizing machinery have represented promising molecular targets for plentiful cancer types. However, its role in primary brain tumors, generally, and pediatric types, particularly, is barely investigated. In this review, the authors shed the light on the novel role of hydrogen sulfide (H 2S) as a prominent player in pediatric brain tumor pathophysiology and its potential as a therapeutic avenue for brain tumors. In addition, the review also focuses on the challenges and opportunities of several molecular targeting approaches and proposes promising brain-delivery strategies for the sake of achieving better therapeutic results for brain tumor patients.
Original languageEnglish
Article number5244
Number of pages28
JournalCancers
Volume14
Issue number21
Early online date26 Oct 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Oct 2022

Keywords

  • Review
  • brain tumors
  • pediatric cancers
  • hydrogen sulfide
  • neuro-oncology
  • nanocarriers
  • nanotechnology
  • microRNAs
  • siRNAs
  • RNA-technology
  • molecular pathways

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