Antitumor activity of chitosan and its derivatives: results of preclinical studies and prospects for application



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Abstract

This review provides a systematic and critical analysis of the antitumor potential of the biopolymer chitosan and its structural derivatives. The suboptimal efficacy and systemic toxicity associated with conventional chemotherapy necessitate the search for alternative macromolecular matrices. The study examines the mechanisms of the polysaccharide's intrinsic cytotoxic activity, grounded in the induction of mitochondrial-mediated programmed cell death, as well as its antimetastatic properties. Furthermore, research findings confirming the polymer's ability to potentiate the effects of classical antitumor agents are summarized. Concurrently, the review highlights a set of critical physicochemical and biopharmaceutical barriers hindering the clinical application of native chitosan. Key limiting factors include insolubility at physiological pH values, raw material heterogeneity, intensive non-specific protein adsorption, and rapid elimination from the systemic circulation by phagocytic cells.

About the authors

Nikita S. Benderskii

Rostov State Medical University

Author for correspondence.
Email: cornance@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7636-1684
SPIN-code: 5966-0480

oncologist

Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Sonata S. Tepsaeva

Kadyrov Chechen State University

Email: mighty.nik.nik@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-7323-0898

студент

Russian Federation, Grozny

Alexander V. Savchenko

Rostov State Medical University

Email: savchenko_av@protonmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0003-4373-6894

student

Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Rayana A. Kubieva

Rostov State Medical University

Email: rayana_kubieva@proton.me
ORCID iD: 0009-0007-1945-5506

student

Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Snezhana V. Samokhina

Rostov State Medical University

Email: samokhina_snezhana@proton.me
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-6637-1406

student

Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

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