Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cancer worldwide. In the present investigation, sorafenib (SFN) and curcumin (CCM) were co-delivered using pH-sensitive lactosylated nanoparticles (LAC-NPs) for targeted HCC treatment. Methods: pH-responsive lactosylated materials were synthesized. SFN and CCM codelivered, pH-responsive lactosylated nanoparticles (LAC-SFN/CCM-NPs) were selfassembled by using the nanoprecipitation technique. The nanoparticles were characterized in terms of particle size, charge and drug release profile. The anti-cancer effects of the nanoparticles were evaluated in human hepatic carcinoma cells (HepG2) cells and HCC tumor xenograft models. Results: LAC-SFN/CCM-NPs are spherical particles with light coats on the surface. The size and zeta potential of LAC-SFN/CCM-NPs were 115.5 ± 3.6 nm and −34.6 ± 2.4, respectively. The drug release of LAC-SFN/CCM-NPs in pH 5.5 was more efficient than in pH 7.4. LAC-SFN/CCM-NPs group exhibited the smallest tumor volume (239 ± 14 mm 3 ), and the inhibition rate of LAC-SFN/CCM-NPs was 77.4%. Conclusion: In summary, LAC-SFN/CCM-NPs was proved to be a promising system for targeted HCC therapy.

Background: Despite studies on positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) in oncological imaging with high soft-tissue contrast resolution, PET/MRI has not been studied in ophthalmology. 89 Zr-bevacizumab, designed as a probe for PET, targets vascular endothelial growth factor, which is highly expressed in ocular angiogenesis. Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab agents have curative effects on ocular disease. Objectives: To study the ocular biodistribution of 89 Zr-bevacizumab in New Zealand rabbits using PET/MRI. Materials and Methods: 89 Zr-bevacizumab, synthesized from conjugated bevacizumab and 89 Zr-oxalate, and the purity of radiolabeled antibodies were determined using radio high-performance liquid chromatography (radio-HPLC). Instant thin-layer chromatography (ITLC) was utilized to differentiate the labeled product from aggregates and unlabeled 89 Zr. 89 Zr-bevacizumab was injected 2 mm from the left limbus into the vitreous humor of six normal New Zealand white rabbits. Micro-PET was utilized for dynamic imaging from 5 minutes to 60 minutes postinjection and for static imaging at 4 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 120 hours, and 144 hours (10-minutes scans) postinjection. PET/MRI scans were fused using PMOD software. Results: 89 Zr-bevacizumab with a radiochemical purity of 93.21% was monitored via PET imaging. Radioactivity levels in the eyes plateaued approximately 5 minutes after administration of 89 Zr-bevacizumab, and the measured vitreous values decreased from 340.52 ± 41.6% injected dose (ID)/g to 21.53 ± 3.39%ID/g by 144 hours. The half-life of the drug in the eye was calculated for 84.25 hours. Conclusion:89 Zr-bevacizumab could be monitored in animals by PET imaging, and the radiolabel exhibited high sensitivity in the vitreous body. Radioactivity levels in the eyes plateaued approximately 5 minutes after administration. This study clearly demonstrates the biodistribution of 89 Zr-bevacizumab.