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Sorafenib-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Applications and Perspectives

Lingyun Wang¹, Meihuan Chen¹, Xueguang Ran²

¹Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Engineering of Guangdong Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510641, China.

|June 28, 2023

Abstract:

As a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved molecular-targeted chemotherapeutic drug, sorafenib (SF) can inhibit angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation, leading to improved patient overall survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, SF is an oral multikinase inhibitor as a single-agent therapy in renal cell carcinoma. However, the poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties and undesirable side effects (anorexia, gastrointestinal bleeding, and severe skin toxicity, etc.) seriously limit its clinical application. To overcome these drawbacks, the entrapment of SF into nanocarriers by nanoformulations is an effective strategy, which delivers SF in a target tumor with decreased adverse effects and improved treatment efficacy. In this review, significant advances and design strategies of SF nanodelivery systems from 2012 to 2023 are summarized. The review is organized by type of carriers including natural biomacromolecule (lipid, chitosan, cyclodextrin, etc.); synthetic polymer (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), polyethyleneimine, brush copolymer, etc.); mesoporous silica; gold nanoparticles; and others. Co-delivery of SF and other active agents (glypican-3, hyaluronic acid, apolipoprotein peptide, folate, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles) for targeted SF nanosystems and synergistic drug combinations are also highlighted. All these studies showed promising results for targeted treatment of HCC and other cancers by SF-based nanomedicines. The outlook, challenges and future opportunities for the development of SF-based drug delivery are presented.

Insights

Sorafenib (SF) nanodelivery systems improve treatment efficacy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other cancers by overcoming drug limitations. These nanoformulations enhance SF delivery, reducing side effects and improving patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

Oncology
Nanomedicine
Drug Delivery

Background:

Sorafenib (SF) is an FDA-approved drug for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and renal cell carcinoma, inhibiting tumor growth and angiogenesis.
Clinical use of SF is limited by poor solubility, low bioavailability, unfavorable pharmacokinetics, and severe side effects.
Nanocarrier-based nanoformulations offer a strategy to improve SF delivery, efficacy, and safety for cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

To review advances in sorafenib (SF) nanodelivery systems from 2012 to 2023.
To summarize design strategies for SF nanoformulations using various carrier types.
To highlight co-delivery systems and synergistic combinations for enhanced cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of scientific literature on SF nanodelivery systems.
Categorization of nanocarriers: natural biomacromolecules, synthetic polymers, mesoporous silica, gold nanoparticles.
Analysis of co-delivery strategies and synergistic combinations with other agents.

Main Results:

Various nanocarrier systems (lipids, chitosan, PLGA, gold nanoparticles, etc.) have been developed for SF delivery.
Co-delivery systems and synergistic combinations show promising results for targeted cancer treatment.
SF nanoformulations demonstrate potential for improved efficacy and reduced toxicity in preclinical studies.

Conclusions:

SF nanodelivery systems represent a promising approach to enhance the therapeutic potential of sorafenib.
Further development is needed to address challenges and optimize SF-based nanomedicines for clinical application.
Future opportunities lie in targeted delivery, combination therapies, and overcoming formulation hurdles.

Read full analysis

Keywords:

hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)multi-kinase inhibitor nano-sized carriers nanodelivery systems sorafenib tumor treatment

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