Active Targeting of Sorafenib: Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro Testing of Drug-Loaded Magnetic Solid...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Oncology

Background:

• Sorafenib is an FDA-approved anticancer drug for liver and kidney cancers.
• Its clinical use is limited by severe toxic side effects.
• Targeted drug delivery systems are needed to improve efficacy and reduce toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop sorafenib-loaded magnetic nanovectors (Sor-Mag-SLNs) for enhanced cancer treatment.
• To enable magnetic field-guided drug delivery to tumor sites.
• To limit negative effects on healthy tissues.

Main Methods:

• Sorafenib and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) using hot homogenization.
• Cetyl palmitate used as the lipid matrix.
• Characterization of nanoparticle stability, loading efficiency, cytocompatibility, and antiproliferative effects.

Main Results:

• Sor-Mag-SLNs achieved a sorafenib loading efficiency of approximately 90%.
• Nanoparticles demonstrated high stability in aqueous environments.
• Drug-loaded nanoparticles exhibited significant antiproliferative effects on HepG2 liver cancer cells.
• Plain nanoparticles showed good cytocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• Stable sorafenib-loaded magnetic SLNs can be prepared.
• These nanoparticles inhibit cancer cell proliferation via sorafenib's action.
• Magnetic targeting allows for enhanced and localized drug delivery.
• Potential for clinical tracking using magnetic resonance imaging due to observed relaxivity properties.