Microbeam Application on The Evaluation of Temozolomide-Platinum Derivate as a Novel Antitumor Agent for Glioblastoma Treatment

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Although temozolomide (TMZ) remains the standard chemotherapeutic agent due to its ability to cross the blood–brain barrier, its efficacy is frequently compromised by the tumor resistance. To address this challenge, a novel TMZ–platinum derivative (TMZ-Pt) was developed by the synthesis via complexation of TMZ with a platinum precursor, aiming to combine the therapeutic advantages of both compounds within a single molecule. Platinum-based compounds have demonstrated significant antitumor activity against a wide range of cancers through mechanisms distinct from those of TMZ. While previous studies have investigated the combined administration of TMZ and platinum-containing drugs, the development of a single drug integrating both functionalities remains unexplored. This project focuses on the characterization and evaluation of TMZ-Pt using ion beam microanalysis techniques. In particular, micro-PIXE and micro-RBS were employed to detect and map TMZ-Pt through the identification of platinum in glioblastoma cell cultures following treatment. These analyses provides valuable information on the drug uptake and intracellular distribution, along with biological assays to investigate cell viability and proliferation when exposed to TMZ-Pt. By correlating elemental imaging with biological responses, it is possible to assess the potential of TMZ-Pt as a promising candidate for glioblastoma therapy, which indicates a novel strategy to overcome treatment resistance.