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.
Keywords: Cancer chemotherapy, Cancer nanotechnology, Clinical trial, Commercial nanotherapeutics, Computed tomography, Diagnosis, Doxorubicin, Drug delivery, EPR effect, FDA, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Liposomes, Liver cancer, Nanoparticles, Nanotherapeutics, Nanomedicine, Nuclear magnetic resonance, Patents, Treatments.
