Targeting Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Targeted delivery systems that can selectively deliver therapeutic drugs into specific sites have demonstrated great potential in disease treatment and could be utilized to resolve the limitations of conventional chemotherapy. Creative Biolabs is a leading service provider in targeted delivery, and we can provide specific raw materials of the delivery system and custom targeted delivery products. At present, we provide a full range of module delivery systems targeting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

HCC is the most common primary liver malignancy and has caused cancer-related death worldwide. HCC is one of the main causes of cancer deaths. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, incidence and mortality continue to rise. Cirrhosis represents the most crucial risk factor for the development of HCC regardless of etiology. Hepatitis B and C are distinct risk factors for the development of cirrhosis. Alcohol consumption is an additional important risk factor, as the risk caused by alcohol abuse is five times higher than that caused by hepatitis C. Diagnosis methods of HCC include radiologic tests and serological markers such as α-fetoprotein at 6-month intervals. However, as for the treatment of HCC, only orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) or surgical resection is considered to be curative. Although OLT is confirmed as the only curative surgical procedure, the shortage of available organs hampers this therapy for many patients with HCC. Therefore, new therapic strategies are in urgently need.

Fig.1 Hepatocellular carcinoma.

Delivery System Targeting Hepatocellular Carcinoma

HCC has fairly high morbidity and is difficult to treat since the long latent period before detection, multidrug resistance and severe drug-related adverse effects from chemotherapy. Nowadays, targeted drug delivery systems (DDS) that can precisely deliver therapeutic drugs into tumor sites have shown great potential in cancer treatment. Nanoparticle-mediated targeted drug delivery system can enhance permeability and retention effect and active targeting, it has emeraged as an innovative approach of therapeutics for HCC in recent years. The active targeting is triggered by ligands on the delivery system, following the DDS is internalized into hepatoma cells with high specificity and efficiency.

Fig.2 Mechanisms involved in modulating LCSCs function in HCC progression.¹

Nanocarriers, such as liposomes, have the advantage to increase the payload of chemotherapeutic drugs while decreasing toxicity to non-target tissues, which can be further enhanced through surface conjugation of nanocarriers with targeting moieties. Previous studies showed that SP94 peptides exhibited higher binding affinity to human HCC than to hepatocytes and other normal cells. Then, pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and antitumor efficacy of SP94‑conjugated PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (SP94‑LD) have been assessed in xenograft-bearing mice, and results suggested that SP94‑LD presented a significant increase in drug accumulation in tumors. Besides, conjugation of targeting peptide SP94 promoted the therapeutic efficacy of liposomal doxorubicin in mouse models with hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts. Furthermore, combination targeted therapy markedly extended the survival of mice compared with all other treatments. Therefore, the SP94‑mediated targeting enhances antitumor efficacy could be a promising approach in HCC treatment.

Features of Our Targeted Delivery Services

• Enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect
• Circulate in the bloodstream for a long period of time
• Pass through the vascular barrier easily
• Lower immunogenicity
• Markedly increased anticancer efficacy

Creative Biolabs is one of the forward-looking targeted drug delivery system services providers who offer the best service to the customers around the world. Our seasoned experts are pleased to provide targeted drug delivery services targeting HCC. We have extensive experience in all kinds of DDS related services. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Lv, Duoduo, et al. "Emerging regulatory mechanisms involved in liver cancer stem cell properties in hepatocellular carcinoma." Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 9 (2021): 691410.

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