Sorafenib-Loaded Ligand-Functionalized Polymer-Lipid Hybrid Nanoparticles for Enhanced Therapeutic Effect Against Liver Cancer.

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.