Abstract
Disulfiram is a drug used to support the treatment of chronic alcoholism. Recently, it has been found to have an off-label ability to inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer cells. However, the original formulation was designed for use via oral administration, which is not suitable to be given by a direct spray on the affected area. Therefore, in this study, we designed and prepared alginate (ALG) microparticles loaded with disulfiram and superparamagnetic iron oxide (cross-linking disulfiram/SPIO/ALG MPs), which have great potential application for inhibiting the growth of ovarian cancer simultaneously via two treatments, i.e., chemotherapy and hyperthermia. The drug-encapsulating alginate microparticles were prepared using an electrospray system and then cross-linked with calcium chloride ions. The particles were observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and found to be approximately 200 μm in diameter. The disc-shape morphology of the microparticles could be controlled by up to 95%. The drug-encapsulation efficiency of the microparticles reached 98%, and the suppression of tumor growth for the free-form disulfiram-treated group and disulfiram/SPIO/ALG MPs-treated group were 48.2% and 55.9% of tumor volume reduction, respectively, compared with a cisplatin-treated group. A hyperthermic effect can be achieved by applying a magnetic field to oscillate SPIO. The results of this study showed that these cross-linking disulfiram/SPIO/ALG MPs are potential drug carriers for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Highlights
It is worth noting that the surface smoothness became rough and uneven; the addition of disulfiram did not alter the formation of disc-shape disul/superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO)/ALG MPs
It is worth noting that the surface smoothness became rough and uneven; the addition of disulfiram did not alter the formation of disc‐shape disul/SPIO/ALG MPs
As hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) therapy needs to be given to the patient right after the primary surgery with the abdominal cavity open, a chemotherapy fluid heated to a temperature greater than the normal body temperature is injected via the intraperitoneal route and continuously circulates chemotherapeutic agents throughout the peritoneal cavity, for 1.5–2 h
Summary
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is typically diagnosed at advanced stages, and is associated with a high relapse rate and is the leading cause of death because the symptoms are usually nonspecific until they have metastasized [1,2,3,4,5]. The treatment of ovarian cancer requires intensive surgical intervention and complex chemotherapies [6]. The tumor can spread to other parts of the body. The earliest symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and easy to dismiss. Only 20% of ovarian cancers are Pharmaceutics 2021, 13, 1348.
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