## 3 Results
### Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Therapy and Imaging
#### 3.1.1 Nanoparticle Drug Carriers
Various classes of dendrimers have been developed to date, the most commonly used being polypropylene (PPI), polyamidoamine (PAMAM), carbosilane dendrimers, and polyester-based dendrimers [15]. Due to their exceptional water solubility, dendrimers are highly suitable for biological and medical applications. Their nanometric size allows effective penetration into tumor tissues while remaining large enough to avoid rapid renal clearance, thereby extending their circulation time in the body [16]. They are considered non-toxic, offer high drug-loading capacity, and exhibit strong chemotherapeutic and photothermal properties, making them particularly promising candidates for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy [17]. * Liposomes  
Liposomes possess a distinct structure consisting of a lipid bilayer membrane surrounding an aqueous core. This structure allows them to encapsulate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances without requiring chemical modification. The lipid bilayer of liposomes can fuse with other bilayers, such as the cell membrane, thereby facilitating the release of their contents. This property makes them highly valuable for drug delivery applications. Additionally, their surface can be modified with'stealth' materials to enhance stability in the body or with targeting ligands for more selective delivery. Liposomes can range in size from 15 nanometers to several micrometers and may consist of either a single phospholipid layer (unilamellar) or multiple bilayer membranes (multilamellar) [10]. Multivesicular liposomes (MVLs) have a distinct structure compared to unilamellar and multilamellar vesicles. MVLs have gained attention due to their high stability and prolonged drug release duration, ranging from days to several weeks. These systems feature a complex internal structure of densely packed, non-aligned aqueous chambers, each enclosed by interconnected lipid membranes. Triolein, a neutral triglyceride composed of glycerol and three oleic acid chains, gives MVLs this distinctive structure. Traditional liposomes do not contain triolein, but MVLs require it to modify drug release profiles. Triolein occupies the corners and junctions of the lipid bilayers within MVLs, ensuring that only breaches in the outer membranes allow drug release while the inner vesicles retain the drug. This feature enables controlled and sustained drug release, making triolein essential for the depot-like properties of MVL-based delivery systems [18]. With their unique lipid bilayer structure surrounding an aqueous core, liposomes are one of the most promising drug delivery platforms [10]. * Chitosan is a polycationic polymer, carrying a positive charge in acidic conditions, which enables it to interact with negatively charged biological surfaces, such as cell membranes. Structurally, it is a linear aminopolysaccharide that is biodegradable, biocompatible, exhibits low toxicity, and possesses mucoadhesive properties [19]. The size of chitosan nanoparticles typically ranges between 10 and 500 nm, allowing them to pass through the fenestrated blood vessels of tumors and accumulate in the tumor mass. In addition, they are capable of controlled drug release, enhancing the stability and solubility of the loaded compounds while reducing systemic toxicity through targeted delivery. In the context of hepatocellular carcinoma treatment, chitosan nanoparticles have proven effective both due to their targeted delivery capabilities and their potential intrinsic antitumor activity. Preclinical studies on cell lines and animal models have demonstrated tumor growth inhibition, induction of apoptosis, and reduced angiogenesis. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have also been observed [20]. * Micelles  
Polymeric micelles (PMs) have been utilized as a drug delivery platform for liver cancer due to their core-shell structure, small and uniform size distribution, and high drug delivery efficiency [21].