Effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on the response of ovarian tumor cells to Carboplatin

• Grant number: 25/01270-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Flávia Karina Delella
• Grantee: Ana Clara Silveira Goldoni
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Ovarian cancer (OC) is considered the most lethal malignancy worldwide due to its asymptomatic nature and late-stage diagnosis, with epithelial OC being the most common and aggressive type. OC is diagnosed through physical examinations, ultrasound, and tumor markers such as CA-125. Treatment is determined based on disease staging and typically involves chemotherapy and surgical intervention. The most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents are Carboplatin and Paclitaxel; however, increasing resistance to these treatments is notable, leading to reduced survival rates, particularly in advanced stages of the disease. Exposure to external factors, such as polystyrene nanoplastic particles (NP-PS), has been extensively studied as a contributor to the development and progression of various types of cancer. NP-PS are absorbed by the body through ingestion or inhalation, causing contamination that has been associated with cancer, both in its onset and in drug resistance. These particles are difficult to degrade and accumulate in marine organisms and humans, causing oxidative stress and mutagenicity. In the ovary, NP-PS can affect fertility; however, studies on their impact on OC remain limited, highlighting the need for further research to understand the mechanisms involved and improve treatments. Thus, the present study aims to outline new research directions to evaluate the influence of NP-PS on the response of ovarian tumor cells to chemotherapy and their impact on the organism and its association with OC. The evaluations will include an analysis of cell viability, cell morphology, cell migration, and the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymes, followed by statistical analyses. A comparison will also be made between cells exposed to an aqueous solution of NP-PS of 100 nm (0.1 µm) and non-exposed cells.