Optimized Lipid Nanoparticles for Co‐Delivery of mRNA and siRNA Therapeutics in Refractory Liver Cancer

Y Yuqin Liao (Department of Radiology Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China) X Xiaodong Zeng (Department of Physics, Shanghai University , Shanghai 200444,) X Xinwei Zhang (Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, 999077 Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China) Y Yukun Hu Y Yicheng Zhao (Department of Radiology Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China) Q Qiusi Luo (Department of Radiology Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China) C Chunlin Ren (State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai China) H Haibing Zhou (Department of Radiology Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China) X Xuechuan Hong (Department of Radiology Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China) Y Yuling Xiao

Abstract

ABSTRACT Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits poor prognosis and rapid resistance to sorafenib, particularly involving p53 loss and Nrf2 hyperactivation. Here, we employ machine learning (ML)‐assisted structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis to guide the engineering of a library of 120 degradable ionizable lipids, enabling the rational design of fluorinated aromatic lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) optimized for combinatorial RNA delivery. ML‐based feature‐importance analysis prioritizes –CF 3 aromatic tails, and molecular dynamics simulations confirm that these tails enhance RNA binding and nanoparticle stability. The resulting A 2 T 5 ‐s LNPs, functionalized with lactobionic acid for selective HCC targeting, enable efficient co‐delivery of p53 mRNA and Nrf2 siRNA. This strategy restores ferroptosis and induces apoptosis in sorafenib‐resistant HCC by suppressing SLC7A11, leading to marked tumor inhibition. Our study demonstrates an ML‐assisted LNP optimization strategy, advancing precision RNA therapeutics to overcome resistance in refractory liver cancer.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 11
Published February 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

Y

Yuqin Liao

Department of Radiology Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China

X

Xiaodong Zeng

Department of Physics, Shanghai University , Shanghai 200444,

X

Xinwei Zhang

Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, 999077 Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China

Y

Yukun Hu

Y

Yicheng Zhao

Department of Radiology Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China

Q

Qiusi Luo

Department of Radiology Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China

C

Chunlin Ren

State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai China

H

Haibing Zhou

Department of Radiology Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China

X

Xuechuan Hong

Department of Radiology Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China

Y

Yuling Xiao