Theranostic Iron@Gold Core–Shell Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Hyperthermia‐Chemotherapy upon Photo‐Stimulation

Abstract

The challenges of nanoparticles, such as size‐dependent toxicity, nonbiocompatibility, or inability to undergo functionalization for drug conjugation, limit their biomedical application in more than one domain. Oval‐shaped iron@gold core–shell (oFe@Au) magnetic nanoparticles are engineered and their applications in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and controlled drug release, are explored via photo stimulation‐generated hyperthermia. The oFe@Au nanoparticles have a size of 42.57 ± 5.99 nm and consist of 10.76 and 89.24 atomic % of Fe and Au, respectively. Upon photo‐stimulation for 10 and 15 minutes, the levels of cancer cell death induced by methotrexate‐conjugated oFe@Au nanoparticles are sixfold and fourfold higher, respectively, than oFe@Au nanoparticles alone. MRI and OCT confirm the application of these nanoparticles as a contrast agent. Finally, results of in vivo experiments reveal that the temperature is elevated by 13.2 °C, when oFe@Au nanoparticles are irradiated with a 167 mW cm−2 808 nm laser, which results in a significant reduction in tumor volume and scab formation after 7 days, followed by complete disappearance after 14 days. The ability of these nanoparticles to generate heat upon photo‐stimulation also opens new doors for studying hyperthermia‐mediated controlled drug release for cancer therapy. Applications include biomedical engineering, cancer therapy, and theranostics fields.

Fe3O4-Au Core-Shell Nanoparticles as a Multimodal Platform for In Vivo Imaging and Focused Photothermal Therapy

“…On the other hand, combined therapies, that is, a therapeutic approach that combines multiple treatments to create synergistic or additive effects, are currently a hot topic in cancer therapy [ 50 ]. Within this panorama, NPs based on iron oxide and gold NPs have attracted the attention of scientists because of their appealing features, such as capabilities as CAs for imaging and excellent SPR properties for biomedical applications [ 51 , 52 , 53 ].…”

Production of Fe nanoparticles from γ-Fe2O3 by high-pressure hydrogen reduction

“…Exchange-coupled nanocomposite magnets for remanence and maximum energy product enhancement, consisting of nanoscale a-Fe as the magnetically so phase and SmCo 5 , Nd 2 Fe 14 B or Sm 2 Fe 17 N 3 as the hard phases, have been investigated. [5][6][7][8] Furthermore, the potential in biomedical applications, such as magnetic resonance imaging 9 or hyperthermia mediated drug release for cancer therapy 10 has also been discussed if a proper surface coating (e.g. Au) is provided.…”

Advances in Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis Processing of Noble Metal Nanoparticles—Review

“…AuNPs have good potential for various applications, due to their properties such as Surface Plasmon Resonance and high biocompatibility. Adding ferromagnetism as an additional property to these nanoparticles enhances their applicability and use cases in medical treatment [78,79], for Magnetic Resonance Imaging [80], cancer treatment [81], drug delivery systems, as well as for catalysis, sensors, and so on [82][83][84][85]. Some initial experiments for determining the capability of producing such particles with USP were conducted, in order to investigate the formation mechanisms of these particles [86,87].…”