DEVELOPMENT OF BIODEGRADABLE NANOCARRIERS FOR TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY IN OVARIAN CANCER

Abstract

 

Objective:
This study was conducted with the objective of designing and evaluating biodegradable nanocarriers to enhance the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents specifically to ovarian cancer cells. The aim was to improve therapeutic efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity, which remains a major limitation of conventional chemotherapy.

Methods:
This experimental research was carried out in the oncology research laboratories of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Biodegradable nanocarriers were synthesized using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) polymers through a solvent evaporation technique. The nanocarriers were loaded with paclitaxel and cisplatin and functionalized with folic acid to target folate receptors that are overexpressed on ovarian cancer cells. Physicochemical characterization was performed to determine particle size, surface charge, morphology, stability, and drug loading efficiency. In vitro release studies were carried out under physiological (pH 7.4) and acidic (pH 5.5) conditions. Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake were assessed in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell lines using MTT assays, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry.

Results:
The nanocarriers demonstrated a particle size range of 120–180 nm with spherical morphology and zeta potential values around –20 mV, suggesting stability in suspension. Drug loading efficiency was recorded at 72% for paclitaxel and 63% for cisplatin. In vitro release studies confirmed a pH-sensitive release profile, with a significantly higher drug release in acidic conditions simulating the tumor microenvironment. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that folate-conjugated nanocarriers achieved greater toxicity against SKOV-3 cells compared to non-targeted carriers, with lower IC50 values for both paclitaxel and cisplatin formulations. Cellular uptake analysis demonstrated a 3.5-fold higher internalization of folate-functionalized nanoparticles compared to non-targeted ones.

Conclusion:

Biodegradable nanocarriers functionalized with folic acid represented a promising platform for targeted drug delivery in ovarian cancer. The results suggested that these carriers not only enhanced therapeutic efficacy but also reduced systemic toxicity by selectively delivering chemotherapeutic drugs to ovarian cancer cells. These findings provided a foundation for further translational research and potential in vivo clinical evaluation within the context of ovarian cancer treatment in Pakistan.