Precision targeting in hepatocellular carcinoma: Exploring ligand-receptor mediated nanotherapy

Table 2 List of different nanoformulations for Asialoglycoprotein Receptor targeted therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

Targeting ligand	Particle size	Nanocarrier	Payload	In vitro or/and in vivo results
Lactose[64]	Approximately 115 nm	PCL-PEG-CHO	Sorafenib Curcumin	Lactose modified nanoparticles in vitro: Improve the efficiency of loaded drugs and exhibit better cytotoxicity; in vivo: The inhibition rate is 77.4%
Galactose[65]	92-136 nm	PEG PCL; Micelles	Paclitaxel	IC50 values of Gal decorated nanoparticles decreased from 11.7 to 1.1 μg/mL with increasing Gal concentration from 10% to 30%, supporting receptor-mediated endocytosis mechanism
ASP[66]	Approximately 228 nm	Deoxycholic acid	Doxorubicin	ASP modified nanoformulations in vitro: Internalize into HepG2 cells via ASGPR-mediated recognition and inhibit cell proliferation; in vivo: Suppress the tumor growth and reduce the side effects of free DOX
CS[62]	Approximately 80 nm	Chitosan	Simvastatin	CS decorated nanoparticles enhance the cytotoxicity of the loading drug against HepG2 cells owing to its enhanced cellular uptake
LA[67]	Approximately 310 nm	Cholesterol Liposome	Oxaliplatin	LA presents as a promising ligand for targeted drug delivery in the treatment of BEL7402 cancer cells
Pullulan[68]	140-170 nm	PLGA; PBAE	Paclitaxel; Combretastatin A4	Pullulan labeled nanoparticles enhance targeting capability and efficacy in HCC treatment both in vivo and in vitro
Pectin[69]	Approximately 300 nm	Ca(OH)2; NaHCO3	5-Fu	Pectin-based nanoparticles reduced the IC50 value to 0.17 mol/L in HepG2 cells, a significant decrease compared to the 0.45 mol/L IC50 value for free 5-Fu

ASP: Angelica sinensis polysaccharide; LA: Lactobionic acid; CS: Chondroitin sulfate; 5-Fu: 5-fluorouracil; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma.