Sorafenib-Loaded Ligand-Functionalized Polymer-Lipid Hybrid Nanoparticles for Enhanced Therapeutic Effect Against Liver Cancer
Shijing Tang, Yuanjun Li · Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology · 2019
The main aim of present study was to enhance the anticancer effect of sorafenib (SRF) in the liver cancer cells. The SRF-loaded folate receptor-targeted polymer lipid hybrid nanoparticle was formulated to enhance the therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of liver cancers. The SRF-loaded folic acid (FA)-conjugated lipid-coated chitosan/chondroitin sulfate (CT/CS) nanoparticle (FCCD/SRF) showed a remarkable internalization of cancer cells compared to non-targeted CCD/SRF. The higher internalization of nanoparticle was mainly attributed to the specific interaction to the folate receptors overexpressed in the liver cancer cells. FCCD/SRF exhibited a remarkable cell killing effect throughout all tested concentrations. Consistent with the cytotoxic effect, IC50 value of FCCD/SRF was 0.78 μg/ml compared to 3.92 μg/ml for CCD/SRF indicating the potential of targeting strategy to the cancer cells. FCCD/SRF showed a remarkable apoptosis of cancer cells with distorted nucleus and apoptotic body formation. Overall, results showed that folate-conjugated polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticle possess promising potential for anticancer drug delivery in the treatment of liver cancers.