The Application of Biomaterials in the Treatment of Platinum‐Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

More than 70 % of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with advanced‐stage disease, which is initially treated with cytoreductive surgery, and combination chemotherapy with platinum‐based compounds. Most patients initially respond to platinum‐based therapy, but eventually up to 80 % of this responsive cohort becomes refractory due to the development of platinum resistance. This review discusses current and potential therapeutic approaches that exploit biomaterial‐based applications to combat platinum resistance either by enhancing the delivery of platinum‐based drugs or prodrugs, delivering other toxic non‐platinum‐based bioactive factors (by themselves or in combination with platinum‐based drugs) or by delivering other bioactive factors that re‐sensitize resistant ovarian cancer cells to these drugs. The types of materials that are used, the bioactive factors applied (i.e., drug or gene delivery), and the specific agents that are employed to target these types of cancer cells are discussed. We conclude that the unique attributes of biomaterial‐based applications can be further explored toward overcoming platinum‐resistant ovarian cancer as monotherapy, or in combination with other treatment strategies.

New small‐molecule compound Hu‐17 inhibits estrogen biosynthesis by aromatase in human ovarian granulosa cancer cells

“…Further, endocrine therapy has more tissue specificity and less toxicity than chemotherapeutic regimens. 8,44,45 Aromatase inhibitors are superior to tamoxifen and are the most widely used hormonal agents in the treatment of estrogen-dependent tumors. [46][47][48] Therefore, that Hu-17 inhibits aromatase expression and reduces estrogen levels make it a promising candidate to treat estrogen-dependent cancers.…”

“…Therefore, endocrine therapy is an important adjuvant approach in preventing recurrences of estrogen‐dependent tumors. Further, endocrine therapy has more tissue specificity and less toxicity than chemotherapeutic regimens 8,44,45 . Aromatase inhibitors are superior to tamoxifen and are the most widely used hormonal agents in the treatment of estrogen‐dependent tumors 46–48 .…”

“…Platinum‐based drugs (e.g., cisplatin and carboplatin) and paclitaxel are traditional first‐line therapies 6,7 . Although ovarian cancer diagnosed in the early stage may be treated successfully, as the disease progresses, most advanced‐stage patients develop resistance to first‐line drugs 8 . Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore more therapeutic agents to overcome drug resistance.…”

Chemodynamic Therapy Combined with Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Their Applications in Tumor Treatment

“…[5] Nevertheless, pharmaceutics [6] with high doses can seriously injure normal tissues, which can trigger a series of toxic side effects. [7] The widely used chemotherapy drugs, such as anticancer antibiotics [8] and platinum compounds, [9] can be effective for cancer treatment. However, for specific patients, these medications often cannot be used because of their potential allergic reaction.…”

Cyclopentadienyl‐Based Anticancer Drugs: Improvement of Cytotoxic Activity through Functionalisation of the π Ligand

“…One of the remarkable strategies for cytotoxic drugs improvement is based on the use of nanodevices for drug delivery [13–15] . The attachment of cytotoxic warhead into, for example, carbon‐based materials, [16] gold nanoparticles [17,18] or metal‐organic frameworks, [19–22] provides potential to target specific tissue and also the dosage of a drug might be reduced due to increased retention in the bloodstream [14] . Another option how to improved anticancer drug is introduction of specific targeting unit, including glucose [23–26] or peptide moiety, [27,28] which leads to preferential accumulation of the conjugate in a cancer cell.…”