Evaluation of Modified Chitosan Nanomicelles with Carboplatin for Effective Treatment Against Ovarian Cancer Cell Types in Murine Model.

INTRODUCTION

The clinical efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy in ovarian cancer is limited by insufficient drug retention within the peritoneal cavity and associated systemic toxicity. This study aimed to develop hydrophobically modified chitosan nanomicelles as a carrier system for localized carboplatin delivery.

METHODS

Hydrophobically modified chitosan nanomicelles were prepared using an oil-in-watr emulsification technique and characterized in terms of their physicochemical properties, stability, encapsulation efficiency, and drug release behaviour. In vitro studies were performed to assess biocompatibility and cellular internalization in MUC1-expressing SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells. The preliminary in vivo antitumour response to the carboplatin-loaded nanomicelles was further evaluated in a subcutaneous murine ovarian cancer xenograft model.

RESULTS

The obtained nanomicelles exhibited a mean hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 200 nm and an encapsulation efficiency of 44%. No quantifiable carboplatin release was detected within 24 h under the tested conditions; however, the absence of a quantifiable signal cannot distinguish limited early release from release below the quantifiable range of the analytical method. The nanomicelles demonstrated preliminary in vitro cytocompatibility in SK-OV-3 cells, with mean cell viability remaining above 70% under the tested conditions, and intracellular localization of the nanomicelles in MUC1-expressing SK-OV-3 cells was observed by confocal microscopy. At the end-point evaluation, tumours were significantly smaller in the nanomicelle-treated group than in the free-carboplatin group (p = 0.03), whereas exploratory longitudinal analysis of tumour-growth AUC showed no significant between-group difference (p = 0.67).

CONCLUSION

Hydrophobically modified chitosan nanomicelles represent a feasible carrier platform for localized carboplatin delivery and warrant further investigation for potential intraperitoneal application. The observed drug encapsulation, lack of quantifiable carboplatin release during the 24-h study period, preliminary in vitro cytocompatibility in SK-OV-3 cells, cellular internalization, and preliminary antitumour response provide proof-of-concept support for continued evaluation of this carrier system.