Sorafenib-Loaded Cu<sub>2−x</sub>Se Nanoparticles Boost Photothermal–Synergistic Targeted Therapy against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the predominant form of liver malignancy and presents a leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Sorafenib (SOR), a first-line targeted drug for advanced HCC treatment, has a battery of untoward side effects. Photothermal therapy (PTT) has been util...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: An-Tian Huang, Jun Du, Zhi-Yong Liu, Guang-Cong Zhang, Weinire Abuduwaili, Jia-Yan Yan, Jia-Lei Sun, Ru-Chen Xu, Tao-Tao Liu, Xi-Zhong Shen, Ling Dong, Ji-Min Zhu, Yuhao Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-09-01
Series:Nanomaterials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/18/3191
Description
Summary:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the predominant form of liver malignancy and presents a leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Sorafenib (SOR), a first-line targeted drug for advanced HCC treatment, has a battery of untoward side effects. Photothermal therapy (PTT) has been utilized as an effective adjuvant in synergy with other approaches. However, little is known about the tumoricidal efficacy of combining SOR with PTT for HCC. Herein, a novel versatile nanoparticle, Cu<sub>2−x</sub>Se@SOR@PEG (CSP), that is based on a photothermal Cu<sub>2−x</sub>Se core and SOR for simultaneously reinforcing PTT and reducing the adverse effects of SOR was constructed. The synthesized CSP exhibited a remarkably enhanced therapeutic effect upon 808 nm laser irradiation via dampening HCC cell propagation and metastasis and propelling cell apoptosis. The intravenous administration of CSP substantially suppressed tumor growth in a xenograft tumor mouse model. It was noted that the CSP manifested low toxicity and excellent biocompatibility. Together, this work indicates a promising and versatile tool that is based on synergistic PTT and molecular-targeted therapy for HCC management.
ISSN:2079-4991