​Barriers in Tumor Detection​​​

Lack of early stage cancer detection

There is a lack of capability in early stage detection of tumors. Although MRI contrast agents MRI imaging is yet the most common and cost-effective diagnostic modality, MRI contrast agent fails to detect tumors, especially brain tumors and metastasis, at earlier stages. Besides, these agents contain the gadolinium, causing serious toxicity, specially in patient with renal failure. Therefore, a considerable population of cancer patients are often not imaged, and clinicians must make management decisions with limited diagnostic information.

Barriers in Cancer therapy​​

The setting in the tumor environment mediates the resistance to all the therapeutic modalities.
Lack of Oxygen (Tumor Hypoxia) is the hallmark of tumor environment and the key factor in inducing the treatment resistance. Tumor hypoxia causes failures in cancer treatments through the following mechanisms in the tumor.
From 30% (e.g. breast and prostate, pancreatic tumors) to nearly 100% (e.g. Glioblastoma) Tumor Recurrence are observed in clinic, due to failures in current cancer therapies . 

The superior challenges with detecting and treating tumors in brain

Treatment of brain tumors and micro-metastasis dictates a superior complexity compared to that for other types of tumors, mainly due to the naturally existing barrier in the brain, Blood-Brain-barrier (BBB). This barrier significantly restricts the entry of compounds to the brain from the periphery and impedes the use of many low molecular weight drugs as well as biomacromolecules.