FOLATE RECEPTOR TARGETED LIPOSOMES AS THE ENABLING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE DELIVERY OF CHEMOTHERAPEUTICS IN THE TREATMENT OF OVARIAN CANCER

Abstract

Chemotherapeutic agents encapsulated in FR-targeted liposomes have shown potential for increased therapeutic efficacy and decreased toxicity. Folate receptors are over-expressed in almost 90% of the ovarian cancers. Thus intracellular delivery of carboplatin through FR targeted liposomes could present a viable treatment option for the FR over-expressing ovarian cancers. The aim of this thesis was to develop a folate receptor targeted liposomal formulation of carboplatin and to evaluate its in vitro and in vivo efficacy in FR over-expressing tumors. The optimised FR-targeted (FRT) carboplatin formulation showed significantly higher drug loading, stability, controlled release and superior cytotoxicity in FR-positive cell lines. Superior survival rates (>83%) were achieved in IGROV1 tumor bearing mice when treated intra-peritoneally with FRT liposomes. In summary, this thesis was successful in developing a folate receptor targeted carboplatin liposomal formulation which showed tremendous therapeutic potential for the localised therapy of FR-positive ovarian cancer with significantly improved survival benefits.