Metastatic Melanoma: A Preclinical Model Standardization and Development of a Chitosan-Coated Nanoemulsion Containing Temozolomide to Treat Brain Metastasis

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer. Brain metastasis is the worst scenario in metastatic melanoma and the treatment options for these patients are limited. Temozolomide (TMZ) is a chemotherapy agent used to treat primary central nervous system tumors. Our objective was to develop chitosan-coated nanoemulsion containing temozolomide (CNE-TMZ) for nasal route administration to melanoma brain metastasis treatment. A preclinical model of metastatic brain melanoma was standardized, and the efficiency of the developed formulation was further determined in vitro and in vivo. The nanoemulsion was done by spontaneous emulsification method and the formulation was characterized by size, pH, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. Culture assessments to determine cell viability were done in the A375 human melanoma cell line. To determine the safety of formulation, healthy C57/BL6 mice were treated with a nanoemulsion without TMZ. The model in vivo used B16-F10 cells implanted by stereotaxic surgery in C57/BL6 mice brains. The results demonstrate that the preclinical model used showed to be useful to analyze the efficiency of new candidate drugs to treat melanoma brain metastasis. The chitosan-coated nanoemulsions with TMZ showed the expected physicochemical characteristics and demonstrated safety and efficacy, reducing around 70% the tumor size compared to control mice, and presenting a tendency in mitotic index reduction, becoming an interesting approach to treat melanoma brain metastasis.

Automated summary

Melanoma brain metastasis is a severe condition with limited treatment options. In this study, a chitosan-coated nanoemulsion containing temozolomide (CNE-TMZ) was developed for nasal administration. The nanoemulsion showed expected physicochemical characteristics, safety, and efficacy in reducing tumor size and mitotic index, suggesting its potential as a promising approach for melanoma brain metastasis treatment.