Camptothecin nanocolloids based on N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan: Efficient suppression of growth of multiple myeloma in a murine model

Camptothecin (CPT) exhibits very strong antitumor effects by inhibiting the activity of DNA topoisomerase I, but its application is greatly limited due to its low solubility and the instability of the active lactone form. To overcome these shortcomings, in the present study, we prepared novel camptothecin nanocolloids based on N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan (CPT-TMC) to efficiently and safely administer CPT systemically. Herein, we investigated the antitumor activity of CPT-TMC against a murine Balb/c myeloma model. Our results showed that CPT-TMC more effectively inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival time than CPT in vivo, but no statistical difference was observed in vitro between CPT-TMC and CPT. These findings suggest that N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan could increase the stability and the antitumor effect of CPT and CPT-TMC is a potential approach for the effective treatment of multiple myeloma.