| Abstract: | This study aimed to design and evaluate enhanced permeation and retention (EPR)‐mediated anticancer effect of polymer‐modified and drug‐loaded magnetite nanocomposites. The preformulated bare (10 nm), chitosan‐superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO; 69 nm), heparin‐SPIO (42 nm), and (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane‐polyethylene glycol‐SPIO (17 nm) nanocomposites were utilized to evaluate the EPR‐mediated localized cancer targeting and retention of doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX) in human ovarian cancer cell lines, A2780 and OVCAR‐3 in vitro and in the tumor‐baring Balb/c mice in vivo. Fluorescence microscopy showed that DOX‐ and PTX‐loaded SPIO nanoparticles caused long‐term accumulation and cytoplasmic retention in A2780 and OVCAR‐3 cells, as compared to free drugs in vitro. In vivo antiproliferative effect of present formulations on immunodeficient female Balb/c mice showed a tremendous amount of ovarian tumor shrinkage within 6 weeks. The present nanocomposite systems of targeted drug delivery proved to be efficient drug carrier with sustained drug release and long‐term retention with enhanced cytotoxic properties in vitro and in vivo. |
