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Kenny ChitcholtanSenior Research Fellow

BSc(N Territory), PhD(Cant)

Tel +64 21 0253 5924
Email kenny.chitcholtan@otago.ac.nz

Background

Dr Kenny Chitcholtan is a senior researcher with extensive expertise in preclinical cancer research, particularly focused on understanding the tumour biology of ovarian cancer.

His research encompasses a wide range of translational projects that have expanded the research capacity within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Christchurch.

Dr Chitcholtan specialises in the use of advanced three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models, chicken embryo models (CAM), and mouse models to investigate the complex biology of advanced ovarian cancer and identify novel therapeutic strategies. He is also actively involved in the collection of ascitic fluid from ovarian cancer patients and the establishment of primary ovarian cancer cell lines from New Zealand patients. These primary models offer valuable biological relevance and enhance the translational potential of in vitro studies. Currently, his laboratory has successfully established and maintained five stable primary ovarian cancer cell lines derived from patients with advanced-stage disease.

Research projects

Investigating drug combinations using repurposed medicines in ovarian cancer

This project explores the use of an iron-chelating agent (Deferasirox) in combination with an anti-malarial drug (Chloroquine) to inhibit the progression of ovarian cancer.

In vitro results have shown that the combination of these two drugs significantly reduces cell growth and viability, while neither drug alone shows a strong effect. The mechanisms underlying this synergistic inhibition are currently under investigation. This work is now progressing to in vivo testing using mouse models that closely replicate advanced human ovarian tumours.

Exploring the anti-cancer potential of natural food-derived compounds

There is growing interest in the potential of natural compounds to modulate cancer progression. While conventional treatments can provide rapid tumour reduction, advanced ovarian cancer often recurs and becomes resistant to standard therapies. Patients with limited treatment options may turn to natural products, which are widely accessible through health food stores.

Dr Chitcholtan’s research aims to provide scientifically validated information on the anti-cancer effects of natural compounds such as turmeric, grape seed extract, green tea, and resveratrol. His goal is to empower patients with evidence-based knowledge to support their personal decisions and self-care.

Identifying drug combination strategies for low-grade serous ovarian cancer u sing proteomic profiling

Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) is a rare but distinct subtype of ovarian cancer that is genomically and clinically different from high-grade serous ovarian cancer. LGSOC typically affects younger patients and responds poorly to standard chemotherapy. KRAS mutations are common in this subtype and represent one of the few actionable targets. However, clinical trials have shown that KRAS inhibitors may benefit patients regardless of mutation status.

Dr Chitcholtan’s research uses proteomic profiling to identify alternative or compensatory proteins activated during KRAS inhibition, with the aim of developing more effective combination therapies tailored to LGSOC biology. Grafting LGSOC cells into mouse models has historically had a low success rate due to the slow-growing nature of this tumour subtype. To overcome this challenge, Dr Chitcholtan developed a novel approach using the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model to grow LGSOC cells. For the first time, the CAM model has proven to be a valuable in vivo platform to support the growth of low-grade serous ovarian tumours and enable preclinical drug testing. This innovation provides a new pathway for investigating therapeutic options in a clinically challenging subtype of ovarian cancer.

Publications

Tino, A. B., Sykes, P. H., Dachs, G. U., & Chitcholtan, K. (2026). Targeting phosphoinositide 3-kinase to reduce the progression of ovarian cancer cells in a 3D collagen model. Biomolecules, 16, 377. doi: 10.3390/biom16030377 Journal - Research Article

Tino, A. B., Dachs, G. U., Sykes, P. H., & Chitcholtan, K. (2025). Impact of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and lysophosphatidic acid on the behavior of ovarian cancer cells in a three-dimensional collagen hydrogel. Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Research, 51, e70026. doi: 10.1111/jog.70026 Journal - Research Article

Smith-Díaz, C. C., Kumar, A., Das, A., Pace, P., Chitcholtan, K., Magon, N. J., Hossain, S. M., Eccles, M. R., Winterbourn, C. C., & Paumann-Page, M. (2025). Peroxidasin is associated with a mesenchymal-like transcriptional phenotype and promotes invasion in metastatic melanoma. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 229, 427-440. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2025.01.007 Journal - Research Article

Chitcholtan, K., Singh, M., Tino, A., Garrill, A., & Sykes, P. (2024). Effects of resveratrol on in vivo ovarian cancer cells implanted on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of a chicken embryo model. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25, 4374. doi: 10.3390/ijms25084374 Journal - Research Article

Paumann-Page, M., Smith-Diaz, C., Kumar, A., Chitcholtan, K., Hampton, M., & Winterbourn, C. (2023). Peroxidasin: A novel modulator of melanoma cell invasion. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NZSBMB) 50th Anniversary Conference. Retrieved from https://www.nzsbmb.org/conference Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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