Therapeutic Potential of Ion Carrier Antibiotics in Ovarian Cancer: Mechanisms and Prospects

With over two-thirds of cases diagnosed at advanced stages, ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer. In 70% of patients receiving standardized treatment, recurrence happens within 12-24 months, leading to a 5-year survival rate below 35%. Patients with ovarian cancer now have a better outlook thanks to personalized precision treatment; however, treating advanced ovarian cancer remains challenging. The poor 5-year survival rate and disease recurrence in individuals with ovarian cancer are mainly caused by platinum resistance. Therefore, targeted screening for drugs that can not only inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer cells but also control their migration, invasion, and drug resistance is especially important to reduce the treatment challenges of ovarian cancer. Ionic carrier antibiotics have enhanced the resistance of several malignant tumors to chemotherapy and have shown anti-tumor properties. This article explores the development of ionic carrier antibiotic research in ovarian cancer to evaluate their potential role in the disease.