Lipid based nanoparticles as a novel treatment modality for hepatocellular carcinoma: a comprehensive review on targeting and recent advances

Abstract

Liver cancer is considered one of the deadliest diseases with one of the highest disease burdens worldwide. Among the different types of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma is considered to be the most common type. Multiple conventional approaches are being used in treating hepatocellular carcinoma. Focusing on drug treatment, regular agents in conventional forms fail to achieve the intended clinical outcomes. In order to improve the treatment outcomes, utilizing nanoparticles—specifically lipid based nanoparticles—are considered to be one of the most promising approaches being set in motion. Multiple forms of lipid based nanoparticles exist including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, microemulsion, nanoemulsion, phytosomes, lipid coated nanoparticles, and nanoassemblies. Multiple approaches are used to enhance the tumor uptake as well tumor specificity such as intratumoral injection, passive targeting, active targeting, and stimuli responsive nanoparticles. In this review, the effect of utilizing lipidic nanoparticles is being discussed as well as the different tumor uptake enhancement techniques used. Graphical Abstract

The Future of Tissue-Targeted Lipid Nanoparticle-Mediated Nucleic Acid Delivery

“…Another potentially impactful application of LNP technology is modification to exploit stimuli-responsive properties. Internal (e.g., pH, enzyme and redox) and external (e.g., temperature, light, ultrasound and magnetic fields) stimuli have been explored for a variety of nanoparticle platforms [ 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 ], with Celsion Corporation’s ThermoDox arguably the most well-known example [ 85 , 86 , 87 ]. There are several reports in the literature using internal and external stimuli to afford the release of nucleic acid cargos.…”

Recent Advances in Antimicrobial Nano-Drug Delivery Systems

“…Multiple lipid nanoparticles (MLNs) systems are the third generation of lipid nanoparticles that have emerged as alternative to nanostructured lipid carriers to overcome some of their shortcomings [ 192 , 193 ]. MLNs, combining the advantages of double emulsions and solid lipid nanoparticles, allow the simultaneous encapsulation of hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds guarantying a combined therapy against many diseases [ 193 ].…”

“…Multiple lipid nanoparticles (MLNs) systems are the third generation of lipid nanoparticles that have emerged as alternative to nanostructured lipid carriers to overcome some of their shortcomings [ 192 , 193 ]. MLNs, combining the advantages of double emulsions and solid lipid nanoparticles, allow the simultaneous encapsulation of hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds guarantying a combined therapy against many diseases [ 193 ]. The literature survey showed that Carvacrol (CAR, an antimicrobial natural phenolic monoterpene [ 194 , 195 , 196 , 197 , 198 ])-loaded nanoparticles have more attractive characteristics, such as good chemical stability, high solubility, low toxicity, controlled release rate as well as enhanced bioavailability [ 199 , 200 , 201 ].…”

Simplifying the B Complex: How Vitamins B6 and B9 Modulate One Carbon Metabolism in Cancer and Beyond

“…Regardless of this overabsorption, the majority of the supplemented vitamin B6 is excreted in urine as 4-pyridoxic acid (PA) [ 122 ]. Notably, high-performance athletes may benefit from vitamin B6 supplements as physical exercise increases the excretion of PA [ 123 ], with a study reporting lower B6 levels in endurance athletes after exercise [ 124 ]. Plasmatic PLP can increase 10-fold upon supplementation and respond within 1–2 weeks following depletion or repletion.…”