Pharmacokinetic evaluation and antitumor potency of liposomal nanoparticle encapsulated cisplatin targeted to CD24-positive cells in ovarian cancer

CD24, which is upregulated in several human malignancies, is related to Epithelial‑mesenchymal‑transition (EMT) and has characteristics of cancer stem‑like cells, especially in cisplatin‑resistant ovarian carcinoma cells. Drug delivery systems represent a promising therapeutic approach for diseases with treatment resistance, and the present study investigated a novel CD24‑targeted drug delivery system for advanced ovarian carcinoma. We produced liposomal cisplatin with a red fluorescent substance ‑ cyanine 5.5 (GL‑CDDP‑Cy5.5). In order to target CD24‑positive cells, an anti‑CD24 monoclonal antibody was modified to the above drug (CD24‑GL‑CDDP‑Cy5.5). Specific uptake of CD24‑GL‑CDDP‑Cy5.5 was confirmed using a therapeutically resistant ovarian cancer cell line, Caov‑3 cells. Antitumor effects of CD24‑GL‑CDDP‑Cy5.5 were then evaluated in Caov‑3 xenograft mice. CD24‑GL‑CDDP‑Cy5.5 showed more specific uptake by flow cytometry than GL‑CDDP‑Cy5.5. In xenograft mice, GL‑CDDP‑Cy5.5 and CD24‑GL‑CDDP‑Cy5.5 treatment had significantly higher platinum concentration in disseminated tumor cells than cisplatin (P