What is the main goal of this protocol?

To enhance drug delivery in recurrent glioblastoma using laser-induced hyperthermia.

How does laser-induced hyperthermia work?

It generates localized heat that disrupts the blood-brain barrier and induces cell death in tumors.

What is the significance of disrupting the blood-brain barrier?

It allows for improved penetration of therapeutic agents into tumor cells.

What are the potential outcomes of this method?

Enhanced drug delivery and improved treatment efficacy for glioblastoma.

Is this method applicable in clinical settings?

Yes, the protocol is designed for clinical application in treating glioblastoma.

Enhancing Drug Delivery in Recurrent Glioblastoma with Laser-Induced Hyperthermia

JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments

Neuroscience

0 views • 1:27 min • August 7th, 2025

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Begin with an anesthetized human patient diagnosed with recurrent glioblastoma, an invasive tumor characterized by tumor cell infiltration into the surrounding peritumoral region.

The peritumoral region retains an intact blood-brain barrier (BBB), where tight junctions between endothelial cells restrict drug penetration.

Make an incision in the scalp, create an opening in the skull, and insert a laser probe into the tumor core using MRI guidance.

Deliver laser light through the probe.

Tissue chromophores absorb the light and convert it into heat, generating localized hyperthermia or elevated tissue temperature.

The laser induces a heat gradient, with temperatures peaking at the tumor core and declining toward the periphery.

High core temperatures denature cellular proteins and induce coagulative necrosis, a form of cell death.

Moderate hyperthermia at the periphery disrupts the tight junctions in the BBB.

The temporary BBB disruption facilitates drug delivery to infiltrating tumor cells in the peritumoral region.