Recent Patents and Commercially Available Nanotherapeutics on Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant reason for cancerassociated deaths. The diagnostic methods for early-stage detection are insufficient, and there are limited treatments available for the late stages. Thus, novel approaches from nanotechnology have gained much attention to overcome the major hurdles in designing nanoscale materials that could be used in both diagnosis and treatments. Recently approved patents showed that progress had been made with nanotechnology in both diagnosis and therapy. The invention of HCC biomarkers, such as alphafetoprotein, liver carboxylesterase 1, glypican-3, endoglin, or CD105, has made significant progress in the area of diagnosis. On the other hand, methods for enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of imaging in nuclear magnetic resonance using Ga3+ and nanogold Computed Tomography (CT) contrast agents are noteworthy in the accuracy of cancer imaging. Nanodrugs have long-circulating times inside the body while enhancing the bioavailability of these drugs and improving efficacy without higher doses. Polymer-based nanoparticles, liposomal nanoparticles, and magnetic nano-drug vehicles are used in therapeutics to transport drugs like paclitaxel, docetaxel, doxorubicin, and mitomycin. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides of midkine, phosphoryl N-fatty acyl nucleosides, siRNAs, and polypeptides have all been used. The long period between clinical trials and commercialization of nanotherapeutics and key issues related to clinical development should be addressed by eliminating the regulatory hurdles limiting nanotherapeutics for HCC in the market.