Double Packaged System for Localized Drug Delivery for Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

This research aims at developing a drug delivery system that will provide a plethora of benefits such as cost effectiveness, reduction of toxicity and a control over the release of chemotherapeutic drugs in Ovarian Cancer patients. We have designed a model drug delivery system consisting of non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) packaged within a biodegradable, temperature and pH sensitive hydrogel (chitosan) network. Optimization of the release rates were accomplished by altering the condition of its two components, chitosan and niosome. Two ovarian cancer drugs Paclitaxel and Carboplatin were used for encapsulation. It was found that medium molecular weight chitosan with a crosslinker:chitosan ratio of 4:1 which corresponded to a pH of 7.4 resulted in the finest controlled release. Surface characteristics, such as the interaction between the niosomes and chitosan were determined using Surface Forces Apparatus. The system was also tested in-vivo in mice models. Xenogen was used to study the release of drugs in-vivo. Our results will help in the development of a low cost and improved method for drug delivery with application to intracavitary ovarian cancer treatment and other cancer types.